Ocean Spray cranberries are now 100% sustainably grown.
Ocean Spray announced today that 100% of the cranberries grown by the 700 farmer families that make up its cooperative have been certified as sustainably grown. It is the first fruit cooperative worldwide to farm an entirely sustainably grown crop by the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative Platform (SAI) verified via the Farm Sustainability Assessment (FSA). It also announced it’s partnering with National Geographic to combat climate change and support regenerative fieldwork around the world.
“100% of Ocean Spray’s cranberries have been verified as sustainably grown through our platform and we are thrilled to recognize their achievement,” said Nick Betts, Americas Director at SAI Platform. “It is meaningful to have companies like Ocean Spray create sustainable agriculture systems to help fight climate change and lead as an example for other companies.”
Eat Cranberries and Feel Good
Now you can eat cranberries year-round and feel great, not only because cranberries are a superfruit rich in antioxidants, vitamins B, C and E and carry many other health benefits such as improving blood pressure and are anti-inflammatory, but also because they are great for the environment!
Ocean Spray’s cooperative farmers are committed land stewards, conserving an average of 5.5 acres of natural lands for every 1 acre of cranberry bog, the name for the sandy beds in which cranberries grow. In fact, their farmers have adopted and are committed to the following sustainability principles:
- Farm productivity for generations
- Soil health and responsibility
- Fertilizer management
- Water stewardship
- Ecosystem conservation and biodiversity
- Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
- Wellbeing for workers and the community
… all of which make regenerative agriculture so important.
Better than Organic
Ocean Spray’s commitment to sustainability goes beyond the organic label to a regenerative approach that leaves the land better than before.
- Organic systems or certifications cover only planting, crop nutrition, crop protection, and in some cases water movement.
- Sustainable agriculture is about managing a farm holistically and responsibly.
- Regenerative agriculture is a step up from sustainable. It focuses not only on managing a farm holistically and sustainably, but also cultivating a system which improves the land quality and natural systems, including soil health and biodiversity.
Sustainable and regenerative systems include both the aspects of an organic system (planting, crop nutrition, crop protection) and many more such as water, soil health, agro-tourism, community leadership, worker health and safety, farm finances & business management, carbon emissions, ecosystem and biodiversity conservation, air quality, and waste management.
Ocean Spray’s focus is on regenerative agriculture that revitalizes the soil, water, and land around our farms to actually improve the environment around us and leave it better than it was before.
“We are focused on evolving beneficial trends into commonplace behavior through real, sustainable practices. Regenerative agriculture is about cultivating a system which improves the land quality and natural systems, including soil health and biodiversity.”
Christina Ferzli, Head of Global Corporate Affairs and Communications
Ferzli continues “ Improving farm efficiencies and fostering regenerative agriculture will help our farmers continue to produce food for generations to come.”
Fieldwork Partnership with National Geographic
Ocean Spray is also working with National Geographic to support fieldwork and usher in a new era of regenerative agriculture. The fieldwork includes projects such as bee-friendly agriculture, increasing biodiversity and other grants supporting sustainability around the world. Additional projects are planned for this year to help combat climate change, support food security and encourage healthy food options around the world.
“The issue of improving agricultural practices that help preserve the health of our planet has not received the attention it deserves, and we are proud to work with Ocean Spray to support regenerative agriculture around the world,” said Alex Moen, Vice President of Explorer Programs at the National Geographic Society. “National Geographic has been investing in science, exploration, and education for more than 130 years, and we look forward to working together with Ocean Spray to support these impactful projects.”
Regenerative Agriculture is Key to Combating Climate Change
The holistic farming practices of regenerative farming have the potential to act as a significant carbon sink that can help humanity in its fight against climate change. These practices help improve soil health which maximizes the soils’ ability to sequester carbon while eliminating the need for fertilizers, thereby reducing pollution and even making the land more resistant to drought.
It’s wonderful to see Ocean Spray, an agricultural cooperative with over 700 cranberry farmers in the US, Chile, and Canada, lead the charge for this important farming practice for the health of people and the planet.
