August 2010 ...........

Ocean Spray Grower: We toured a Cranberry Bog and an Ocean Spray Crazen Plant in Wisconsin Rapids, WI. We didn't realize that Ocean Spray is a farmer owned co-op with over 600 growers. The farm we toured is Graynor Cranberry Company and has been in operation since 1870. The owner and his daughters gave us a wonderful tour of the facility and lots of samples. The bogs sort of resemble small football fields. They grow cranberries for the Crazen plant that we toured in the afternoon, after a great lunch at a local restaurant that wasn't usually open on the day we were there, but opened for our group. We were with a group from Carthage, MO, on our way to the Newmar International Rally in Indiana. Nancy and Marty Lown, owners of Coachlight RV, led a caravan of twenty nine coaches to the rally. Nancy set up this tour plus the tours of the Circus Museum and the House on the Rock. We had no idea how Cranberries were grown and harvested - this was a very educational and enjoyable day.

August 2010 ...........

Ocean Spray Plant: We had to put on total protective clothing for the tour including coats, head covers, eye covers and hard hats. Men with facial hair had to put on a mask. They checked to make sure the women's ear rings were covered. The plant was so clean you could have eaten off the floor. The second photo down on the left side is of the most amazing machine we've ever seen. As the cranberries roll over the conveyor belt each berry is photographed and the ones that don't measure up are kicked off the belt with a little puff of air. Another interesting thing we learned is that they must use different sugar for Crazens that go to Europe than the ones that stay in the US. We got more great samples, one bag was a new product of dried cranberries that hadn't been released to the public yet. Another great tour, thanks, Nancy.

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