USDA has a listing of approved fruits

It may not feel like it today, but Spring will be here before we know it. One thing we must resolve before farmers markets begin popping up is getting Aronia on the USDA’s approved fruit listing.

You may or may not be aware, but the USDA has a listing of approved fruits which can be used in preserves, jellies and jams which are offered for sale, Aronia is not one of those approved fruits. This caused problems for some producers last year. In order to solve the problem and get Aronia on the listing of USDA’s approved fruits, we need 25 samples of Aronia preserves (jams or jelly) for testing. Iowa State University will handle the testing free of charge.

If you have a jam or jelly for testing, please help by sending your jelly/jam to:
1. Dr. Lester Wilson 2541 Food Science Building Ames, Ia. 50011
2. Include a copy of the recipe used.
3. Include your name, address and phone number.
4. Include information about where the Aronia berries were grown and age of the plants.
5. Finally, include when the jam/jelly was made.
6. When your submission is complete, please email [email protected] with the subject line Aronia Preserves for Testing. Peggy Fogle will be helping keep track of those submitting samples.

Twenty-five samples are necessary in order to meet the USDA’s testing requirements. Should we get more samples than necessary, we will let you know. Thank you so much for helping further the needs of our emerging industry!