Super-Fruit Super Fans
It takes a certain spirit to grow this berry into the super-fruit powerhouse it can be.
Ocean Spray was built on the maverick mindset of three bold farmers. Today, we’re a vibrant agricultural cooperative of around 700 family farmers.
A unique little fruit. A rich history. The cranberry might be a little offbeat. With its bold, bitter taste, the cranberry might be a little offbeat. But then, so are we.
Bold Beginnings
Deliciously innovative since 1930. Three passionate, independent cranberry growers banded together with one mission: see this superfruit soar. 700+ farmers later, the Ocean Spray Cooperative has far outgrown its tiny but mighty beginnings.
THE FOUNDING
Three bold farmers. One innovative product. That’s all it took for the Ocean Spray Cooperative to get growing. Marcus Urann, John Makepeace and Elizabeth Lee worked together to create the Jellied Cranberry Sauce before growers from Wisconsin, Washington, and Oregon quickly joined forces. Within a decade, Ocean Spray became the first producer of cranberry juice drinks with products sold on store shelves from coast to coast.
1930-1960
TV advertising. Canadian operations. Cranberry on the WWII frontlines. This was a pivotal period for Ocean Spray, before things went sour in 1959. A pesticide scare shook the co-op and the cranberry industry as a whole.
1960-1990
Enter the cran-renaissance. With a diversified product lineup, including the first juice blend and reduced calories options, Ocean Spray successfully revived the cranberry market. By its 50th birthday in 1980, sales surpassed the $500 million mark and welcomed Florida grapefruit growers to the cooperative.
1990-Present
Growing and thriving. By the 90s, Ocean Spray passed the billion-dollar sales mark while changing the dried fruit game forever with Craisins® dried cranberries. Operations spread to France, Mexico, Australia, and UAE, with additional acquirements in Quebec. All while launching dozens of deliciously innovative new products and earning the title of leading producer of cranberries and one of the most successful cooperatives ever.
Our Farmer Owners
Farmer-Owned
Around 700 family farmers make up our vibrant cooperative. This collective ownership makes for the best crop for our innovative products.
Find Out More
Farmer Love
Get to know the growing cooperative of maverick family farmers that make up Ocean Spray.
Meet Our Farmers
The Mighty Cranberry
Bold flavour takes time
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