Humble Beginnings
Ocean Spray was formed in 1930 by three cranberry growers with a simple love of cranberries. Led by lawyer and grower Marcus L. Urann, the three began coming up with new and innovative products made from cranberries. Since then, the Ocean Spray cooperative has grown to more than 700 grower families all across North America.
A Tradition of Innovation
The cooperative’s first product was jellied cranberry sauce, followed by original Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice Cocktail hitting the shelves in the early 1930s, beginning a long tradition of quality, innovation, and success. The rest, as they say, is history.
1963 – Cran-Apple, the industry’s first juice blend, is released. Its success leads to the cooperative adding more blends to the line.
1976 – The co-op expands to include grapefruit growers from Florida’s Indian River region. Ocean Spray Grapefruit Juice soon becomes the number one grapefruit juice. Shortly thereafter, our first citrus blend, Pink Grapefruit Juice Cocktail is released.
1991 – Ocean Spray Ruby Red Grapefruit Juice is introduced. It quickly becomes the most successful product launch to date.
1993 – Craisins® Sweetened Dried Cranberries are introduced, becoming increasingly popular in supermarkets and bakeries all over the world.
2001 – With the continued popularity of Craisins® Sweetened Dried Cranberries, a new cherry flavor is introduced. This same year, a harvest for white cranberries begins.
2002 – Ocean Spray releases a smoother, less tart version of their cranberry juice -- White Cranberry Juice Drink.
2004 – To accommodate rising demand in the retail market, newly packaged Craisins® Sweetened Dried Cranberries are sold to manufacturers of breakfast bars, cereals, and snack goods around the world.
2005 – Ocean Spray celebrates its 75th anniversary. This same year, the “Straight from the Bog” advertising campaign is launched. It will go on to become their most successful ad campaign to date.
2006 – Diet Ocean Spray hits the market. With just 5 calories, it appeals to juice drinkers as a healthier alternative to other diet beverages.
2008 – Ocean Spray introduces Cran•Energy™ Cranberry Energy Juice Drink, made with real fruit juice and natural green tea.
2009 – Pomegranate becomes the newest member of Ocean Spray’s juice family with Cranberry & Pomegranate 100% Juice Drink.
2010 – Ocean Spray Blueberry and Blueberry Pomegranate Juice Cocktails are introduced. This same year, Craisins® Blueberry Juice Infused Sweetened Dried Cranberries, Blueberry Sugar-Free Drink Mixes and fresh blueberries are also released.
Today and Beyond
We at Ocean Spray continue to pride ourselves on the tradition of innovation and resourcefulness established by our three founders over 80 years ago. And now, standing over 700 grower families strong, we’re ready to carry on that tradition of success for generations to come.