Entertain with Cranberries and Share Your Favorite Friendsgiving Moments For a Chance to Win $4,000 in Prizes

Friendsgiving, the alter-ego to Thanksgiving and the holiday undoubtedly supported by millennials, continues to grow in popularity as it adds a new spin on the traditional celebration. For many, Friendsgiving is becoming the social event that cannot be missed. Millennials are breaking the mold by transforming sit-downs into potlucks, roasted turkey into turkey meatballs and mom's cranberries into sophisticated cranberry cocktails. The Cranberry Marketing Committee(CMC) acknowledges the importance of this occasion, and is kicking-off its second annual Cranberry Friendsgiving Photo Contest from October 17 December 19. The contest offers $4,000 in prizes for the most unique and special ways cranberries are enjoyed and incorporated in holiday food, beverages and dcor on social media with #FriendsgivingCranberryContest, and then uploaded at CranberryFriendsgiving.com.

This Friendsgiving, small bites will take center stage at dinner tables across the country, which includes the unassuming cranberry. With their bright-hued reds and pearl-like shape, cranberries are more than a tasty condiment they also enhance beverages, enrich food, and enliven tablescapes with bejeweled wreaths and floral arrangements.

All of this means that the demand to use cranberries in untraditional ways continues to grow. According to a new survey by the CMC:

• 80% of the U.S. population enjoys cranberries and 44% voted them as one of the most versatile fruits.
• 58% of cranberry eaters enjoy this fruit in a traditional holiday dish.
• 44% or more than two in five Americans claim that cranberries are enjoyable when prepared in a variety of ways, pair well with other ingredients, and are easily incorporated into sweet and savory meals.
• One-third of millennials couldn't imagine Friendsgiving celebrations without cranberries!

"We've always known that cranberries' history, versatility and flavor make them a special part of traditional and now modern holiday celebrations. This is why we're committed to continuing ourCranberry Friendsgiving Photo Contest as a way to inspire and encourage millennials' desire to share their creative cranberry ideas," said Michelle Hogan, Executive Director of the Cranberry Marketing Committee.

To continue the Friendsgiving festivities this holiday season, CMC will also partner with influential holiday dcor/recipe and Friendsgiving experts, Melissa Johnson of Best Friends for Frosting, and Elsie Larson and Emma Chapman of A Beautiful Mess. Throughout the season, the trio will dish out unique recipes and dcor ideas, as well as inspirational tips for using cranberries in holiday celebrations. Folks are encouraged to tune into the #FriendsgivingCranberryContest Twitter Party featuring Melissa on November 10, 2016 at 7 pm (EST) to learn tips for throwing the most memorable and Instagram-able Friendsgiving.

Additional Contest Details

• Post party pics featuring cranberry dishes, drinks and dcor using #FriendsgivingCranberryContest on social media and at CranberryFriendsgiving.com for a chance to win
• A total of eight $500 winners will be announced
• No limit on the number of submissions entered to win
• Official rules can be found at CranberryFriendsgiving.com

For more information on Friendsgiving, visit uscranberries.com, or to receive cranberry-inspiration, follow @uscranberries onTwitter,Instagram,PinterestandFacebook.

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.

About the Cranberry Marketing Committee Survey:

The Cranberry Marketing Committee Cranberry Survey was conducted by Kelton Global between March 31st and April 7th, 2016 among 1,050 nationally representative Americans 18+, using an e-mail invitation and an online survey. Quotas are set to ensure a reliable representation of the U.S. population 18 and over. The margin of error for this study is +/- 3.1 percent.