Top Cranberry Connoisseurs Take Home $4,000 in Prizes in National Cranberry Friendsgiving Photo Contest

The CMC awarded the following winners in the 2017 Cranberry Friendsgiving Photo Contest, based on taste appeal or décor attractiveness, originality, creativity and social media presence:

• Décor: Kristen Hewitt – Cranberry Mason Jar Centerpiece
• Drink: Kate Bowler – Cranberry Punch
• Food: Daniela Gerson – Pecangipane Pear & Cranberry Tart
• Northeast: Patricia Harmon – Fresh Cranberry Wreath
• Central: Haley Williams – Cranberry Curd Gingersnap Tart
• Southeast: Andrea Muth – Cranberry Ice Bucket
• West: Loren Nelson – Chocolate Wine Cake with Cranberry Filling
• Southwest: Mollie Pope – Cranberry Holiday Sangria

"We were blown away by the overwhelming number of beautiful, original cranberry dishes and décor entries," said Michelle Hogan, executive director of the Cranberry Marketing Committee. "The quality of entries continues to impress us year after year; the judges had a challenging time choosing just eight winners."

Building on the success of the first two contests in 2015 and 2016, the CMC upped the ante in 2017 by partnering with an impressive lineup of social media celebrities including: A Taste of Koko, Apple of My Eye, Spaceships & Laser Beams, Sugar and Soul and Whitney Bond. Together, these cranberry enthusiasts inspired Friendsgiving celebrators to innovate with fresh, new cranberry recipes and décor ideas. Hundreds of creative cranberry entries were submitted across the country, with many standouts deserving honorable mentions including: cranberry soy five-spiced wings, cranberry cinnamon buns, cranberry slushes and sparklers, and darling décor items such as cranberry garlands and candles.

"I absolutely love the color cranberries bring to a dish," said Haley Williams, winner of the Central category for her Cranberry Curd Gingersnap Tart. "Their tart flavor perfectly complements the sweets I bake."

"Adding cranberries to any dish really adds a fantabulous pop of color and a festive vibe," added Daniela Gerson, winner of the Food category for her "Pecangipane" Pear & Cranberry Tart. "I love using fresh cranberries in the fall, as they are such a limited-time treat."

For more information on the Cranberry Friendsgiving Photo Contest, visit uscranberries.com.

About the Cranberry Marketing Committee (CMC)
The CMC was established as a Federal Marketing Order in 1962 to ensure a stable, orderly supply of good quality product. Authority for its actions are provided under Chapter IX, Title 7, Code of Federal Regulations, referred to as the Federal Cranberry Marketing Order, which is part of the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, as amended. This Act specifies cranberries as a commodity that may be covered, regulations that may be issued, and guidelines for administering the programs, and privileges and limitations granted by Congress. For more information about the CMC, visit uscranberries.com, or follow @uscranberries on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook.

SOURCE Cranberry Marketing Committee

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