Source: Eldertide LLC submitted to NRP
DEVELOPING A US PRODUCED ELDERBERRY JUICE CONCENTRATE FOR DOMESTIC AND EXPORT MARKETS
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
SMALL BUSINESS GRANT
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1003065
Grant No.
2014-33610-21940
Cumulative Award Amt.
$99,993.00
Proposal No.
2014-00075
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Jun 1, 2014
Project End Date
Nov 30, 2015
Grant Year
2014
Program Code
[8.12]- Small and Mid-Size Farms
Recipient Organization
Eldertide LLC
555 Gardiner Road
Dresden,ME 04342
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
Opportunity: A well-defined and established B2B market for 65º Brix elderberry juice concentrate exists in the US. It is monopolized by imported products, pulling millions of dollars annually out of the US economy that could be used to support networks of small and mid-size farms. For the US to enter this multi-million dollar market, we must develop a cost-effective technology process to produce a concentrate that retains phytonutrients and differentiates itself in the marketplace. Finally we must secure a stable and scalable supply of elderberries sourced from small and mid-size farms.The Proposed Effort: Elderberries are recognized for their health-promoting properties, created by the anthocyanins, flavonoids, polyphenolics, and other powerful phytonutrients they contain. In previous Phase I/II USDA/NIFA SBIR awards, Eldertide LLC identified superior varieties of elderberries for commercial production, developed a juice blend with a greater array of phytonutrients than single-sourced berries, successfully developed nutraceutical product prototypes, started Eldertide's Elderberry School, and established a network of small farms growing elderberries for high-value niche markets. Many small and mid-size farms are already realizing returns from B2C market opportunities, while even greater economic opportunities await them in the larger, more stable domestic B2B markets. With a team of expert consultants, Eldertide will explore the feasibility of producing a US elderberry concentrate that retains higher levels of the desired attributes, making it superior to existing concentrate imports. Concurrently, the project team will establish the supply chain (small and mid-size farms) and demand chain (concentrate buyers) and develop a sound marketing strategy.Anticipated Results: A superior elderberry juice concentrate will be developed, along with a roadmap and a value proposition that conveys the opportunities available to all stakeholders. A report outlining operational and economic feasibility will be developed. Phase III commercialization efforts will generate additional jobs and revenue for rural populations in the related fields of farming, processing, manufacturing, procurement, distribution, and management. The USDA recognizes the need to maintain land for farms, and the new jobs and revenue stream arising from this project will provide greater opportunities to farmers that will strengthen the social fabric of rural communities. Further, success with the grower's network model will enable its replication in other rural areas to support both elderberry and other specialty crops.Potential Commercialization Applications: There are technical, economic, and social benefits to this Phase I effort. The proposed platform technology will initially be applied to previously established superior varieties of elderberries. Once proven successful, this technology can be applied to other fruits including blueberries, cranberries, raspberries, and aronia. The marketplace has expressed strong interest in a US-produced elderberry juice concentrate for the nutraceutical, specialty food and beverage, and colorant industries.
Animal Health Component
50%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
50%
Developmental
50%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
50122392000100%
Knowledge Area
501 - New and Improved Food Processing Technologies;

Subject Of Investigation
2239 - Flavoring and beverage plants, general/other;

Field Of Science
2000 - Chemistry;
Goals / Objectives
The goal of this Phase I project is to develop an organic, US grown elderberry juice concentrate. Phase I project objectives:1) Develop a 65º Brix elderberry juice concentrate for B2B and B2C markets.2) Develop a roadmap to enter existing B2B and B2C markets currently monopolized by imported elderberry juice concentrates.The USDA recognizes the need to maintain land for farms, and the new jobs and revenue stream arising from this project will provide greater opportunities to farmers that will strengthen the social fabric of rural communities. Further, success with the Grower's Network model will enable its replication in other rural areas to support both elderberry and other specialty crops.
Project Methods
- Conduct experiments utilizing various methods for concentrating juices- Conduct analytical chemical and microbiological assays- Determine economic and operational costs for manufacturing- Develop value proposition and supply chain models

Progress 06/01/14 to 11/30/15

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audiences are existing and potential commercial level elderberry growers and service providers to growers of small fruits and vegetables. To that end, a meeting was convened by Tori Lee Jackson, Extension Educator, Associate Professor of Agriculture and Natural Resources for the University of Maine's Cooperative Extension Androscoggin and Sagadahoc Office in Lisbon Falls,Maine. The meeting was held the second week in February during a severe blizzard to a standing room only audience of 30 participants. Session included 1) a presentation by David Handley, the Cooperative Extension's Vegetable and Small Fruit Specialist on commercial elderberry production, 2) an update on elderberry research by Angela Myracle, PhD, Food Science and Human Nutrition, UMaine, and 3) a presentation by Edie Johnston, of Maine Medicinals, Inc., and Eldertide, LLC, this project's PI on her ongoing R&D efforts leading to commercialization. Stephanie Gilbert representing the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry discussed ways it could support the grower's initiative. A lengthy Q&A followed where the topics were discussed: MTI Cluster Initiative Shared-use equipment (harvester, de-stemmer, fruit processing) Bulk orders Starting a commecial scale growers co-op Weekend meeting in April- research and info Meeting/Field Trip to Edie Johnston's Eldertide Farm in Dresden Meeting/Field Trip to Sam Blackstone's Circle B Farms in Caribou on May 3rd Eventually a day-long Elderberry Conference (Bring in National speakers) Funding for soil nematode testing/tomato ringspot and other virus testing Research request: rank varieties by anthocyanin/phenolic acid content Wholesale Pricing UMaine subsequently provided a grant to test 60 samples at 16 established elderberry orchards for the presence of Tomato Ringspot Virus (ToRSV) of the samples tested, all were found to be free of this virus, a potential threat to commercial elderberry production. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Meetings for potential commercial elderberry growers with Maine service providers Farm visits Informal meetings at Eldertide Farm with interested parties How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The results of Tomato RingSpot Virus testing were published by UMaine on the Elderberry Cooperative's Facebook page. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The accomplishments of developing a 65º Brix elderberry juice concentrate for B2B and B2C markets include: Producing a competitive elderberry juice concentrate at a bench top scale. Receiving third party verification of the operational and economic feasibility of the production process. Developing a roadmap to enter existing B2B and B2C markets.

Publications


    Progress 06/01/14 to 05/31/15

    Outputs
    Target Audience: Nothing Reported Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? We plan to do outreach to targeted communities of interest.

    Impacts
    What was accomplished under these goals? We met the goals of the project.

    Publications