Two New State Fair Stick Foods Highlight Wisconsin's Official State Fruit

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 19, 2012

CRANBERRY GROWERS TO UNVEIL NEW TWISTS TO THE ORIGINAL “CRAN ON A STICK”

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New ‘Must Try Cranberry Stick-Foods’ Coming to State Fair

MILWAUKEE, Wis. – On the heels of the widely popular Chocolate Covered Cranberries on a Stick, the Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association (WSCGA) today announced that it will debut two new cranberry stick foods at the 2012 Wisconsin State Fair. A new variety of “Cran on a Stick,” called Cran-Crunch on a Stick will feature crunchy granola, Wisconsin grown, sweetened dried cranberries and milk chocolate topped with a specialty drizzle.

Also new this year is Cran-Cookie on a Stick, which features an exclusive- recipe cranberry oatmeal cookie on a stick that is hand-dipped in white chocolate.

The Cran-Cookie on a Stick is a new creation by Melody Cookies of Oak Creek, Wis., a long-time partner of WSCGA. The new Cran-Crunch on a Stick was invented by Niemann’s Candies of Wauwatosa to bring a new twist to the already popular Cran on a Stick. Cran on a Stick debuted at the 2011 State Fair and was wildly successful, becoming one of the top selling stick foods at the 2011 Fair.

“We had such a positive response to Cran on a Stick, we decided to expand the offerings,” said WSCGA Executive Director Tom Lochner. “With more variety and simple pricing, we want to encourage all Fairgoers to try cranberries in one way or another.”

According to Lochner, all three of the stick food varieties at the cranberry growers’ booth in the Wisconsin Products Pavilion will sell for $3. In addition to the stick food options, WSCGA will also offer a new cranberry-chocolate-chip mini cookie cup holding a baker’s dozen and cranberry trail mix, Craisins® and juice drinks. Follow @WisCranberries or like Wisconsin Cranberries on Facebook for updates from the Fair.

“State Fair is the prime time for people to sample Wisconsin foods and learn about Wisconsin agriculture,” said Lochner. “A visit to our booth provides quick and fun information about Wisconsin’s official state fruit and tempts one’s taste buds.”

Cranberries, the official state fruit, are Wisconsin’s largest fruit industry in both value and size – contributing nearly $300 million annually to the state’s economy and accounting for more than 85 percent of the total value of fruit production in the state. More than 250 growers produce cranberries on approximately 21,000 acres of land throughout 20 counties in central and northern Wisconsin. More information on Wisconsin’s cranberry industry, its history and recipes is available at www.wiscran.org.

Niemann’s Candies of Wauwatosa is a local family-owned business that has been in operation for more than 90 years.

Melody Cookies is a family owned and operated bakery that has been in business for more than 30 years. It is one of the leading independent cookies makers in the region and can produce up to 100,000 cookies per day.

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WSCGA was founded in 1887 and is committed to developing and implementing programs that will assist growers in doing a better job of growing cranberries and strengthen the public support for the industry in Wisconsin. In 2012, the organization is celebrating its 125th Anniversary. For more information, visit www.wiscran.org. WSCGA is also on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:
Tom Lochner – (715) 423-207
Kris Naidl – (414) 276-6237/ (414) 614-6208