Dec. 6—In collaboration with the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service, the U.S. Cranberry Marketing Committee (CMC) and industry representatives announced today good news from USDA Secretary Thomas J. Vilsack. Effective July 2014, schools will have the option to purchase dried cranberries from the Foods Available List (FAL) as part of the USDA foodservice procurement program. Previously, only cranberry sauce had been available.
“We are committed to being a part of the solution to healthier school meals and are very appreciative of USDA’s swift response along with remarkable collaboration from cranberry producers, trade associations and elected officials from across the country,” said Scott J. Soares, Executive Director, CMC. “To the overwhelming majority of foodservice professionals who told us they wanted greater cranberry product options and also expressed their support for expanding the USDA Foods Available List, I extend thanks from the U.S. cranberry industry for getting your ‘Cran On!’”