From Robert Whitcomb’s “Digital Diary,’’ in GoLocal24.com

With New Englanders looking to expand local agriculture, and make the region a little less dependent on supplies from far away, the cranberry industry long concentrated in Southeastern Massachusetts is a good model of how to operate. (Current food-supply-chain problems caused by the pandemic are a reminder of the perils of over-dependence on far-away agribusinesses.) The Sustainable Agriculture Initiative has recognized the Ocean Spray cooperative, which represents about 65 percent of the Bay State’s growers, as engaged in sustainable farming.

Ocean Spray said:

“SAI validated Ocean Spray’s sustainable agriculture program and on-farm practices at a representative number of its farmer-owners’ farms against the FSA’s [Farm Service Agency] 112 questions, which measure farm sustainability holistically from soil health, to water conservation practices, to health and safety of farm workers and local communities.’’

The co-op is also working with the National Geographic Society to support the expansion of sustainable agriculture around the world. Ocean Spray said it “will support National Geographic fieldwork across the globe to aid in agriculture practices that help preserve the health of the planet. The field work includes projects such as bee-friendly agriculture, automated land-use, insect collection and biodiversity discovery, and global mapping of center pivot {irrigation} agriculture.’’

Hit this link to learn more:

https://news.oceanspray.com/2020-04-20-100-of-Ocean-Sprays-Cranberries-Verified-as-Sustainably-Grown-Using-FSA-becoming-the-First-Fruit-Cooperative-Worldwide-to-achieve-a-100-FSA-Verification

From The New England Council (newenglandcouncil.com):

“Ocean Spray has launched its first ever new brand — ‘Atoka,’ a line of healthy, plant-based drinks. Founded in 1930, Ocean Spray is an agricultural cooperative owned by more than 700 cranberry farmers in the United States, Canada and Chile. {The heart of New England’s cranberry production is southeastern Massachusetts.}

The new brand’s products were developed by the Lighthouse, the cooperative’s innovation incubator in Boston’s Seaport District. Ocean Spray founded the Lighthouse to incite creative collaboration that would help keep their cranberry products modern, unique, and wellness focused. The cooperative’s farmer-owned structure inspired the Lighthouse team to create sustainable, nourishing food products. Atoka will introduce four cranberry-herbal blends in January of 2020 as Tea Tonics, Oatmilks Elixirs and Herbal Shots.

“Atoka is the first new brand to be incubated here in Boston at the Lighthouse, indicative of our emphasis on an intensely innovative, agile approach to product development and cultivating a culture of innovation throughout the organization,” said Rizal Hamdallah, global chief innovation officer at Ocean Spray. ‘Atoka brings Ocean Spray into an entirely new category of wellness drinks.”’

The Council congratulates Ocean Spray on their new brand, Atoka, and celebrates its mission of providing nourishing, wellness-focused products