Healey-Driscoll Administration Declares October “Massachusetts Cranberry Month”

• Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources

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Carver- Governor Maura Healey is declaring October as "Massachusetts Cranberry Month" to highlight the state's official berry. To celebrate, Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) Commissioner Ashley Randle joined state and local officials along with representatives from Massachusetts Cranberries today at A.D. Makepeace Company's Cranebrook Cranberry Bog to promote cranberry growers in the region and encourage residents and visitors to buy Massachusetts-grown cranberries and cranberry products to support farmers and the local economy.

"We recognize the cranberry as an important and historic crop to Massachusetts," said Governor Maura Healey. "Our official state berry has cemented itself at the dinner table as a mandatory staple during Thanksgiving, and the cranberry growing industry has long been recognized as innovators in agriculture, overcoming challenges and utilizing unique practices to ensure a thriving sector in Massachusetts."

"For generations, cranberry growers have provided enormous economic benefits to their communities," said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. "Beyond their direct value as a commodity, the cranberry growing industry has diversified and offers cranberry bog tours which have proven tremendously popular with tourists and visitors. Coinciding with the peak season of Fall foliage, visiting a working cranberry bog behind this dramatic Autumn backdrop provides a breathtaking and quintessential New England experience."

"As one of the few native fruits in Massachusetts, cranberries have long been part of our agricultural heritage," said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. "Across the industry, cranberry farmers continue to use innovative practices in order to grow this iconic and instantly recognizable fruit. Our administration will continue to provide the support they need to keep cranberry growing in Massachusetts a viable option for our farmers."

Massachusetts has the nation's longest history of growing cranberries. Primarily grown in Southeastern Massachusetts including Cape Cod and the Islands, there are approximately 11,500 acres of commercial cranberry bogs in the state. In 2024, cranberries remained the number one agricultural commodity crop in the state, responsible for more than 6,400 local jobs and generating more than $1.7 billion in economic activity. In addition, cranberry growing provides enormous environmental benefits as growers maintain more than 60,000 acres of open space.

"Part of our history and agricultural heritage, the cranberry is synonymous with Massachusetts," said MDAR Commissioner Ashley Randle. "This is thanks to our hardworking cranberry growers who work throughout the year to ensure a bountiful harvest each fall so that we are able to enjoy this superfood of a fruit. Thanksgiving dinner just isn't complete without a large side of cranberry sauce, and healthy cranberries can also be enjoyed year-round in many dishes or consumed in beverages. We're proud at MDAR of the grant programs we administer that have helped the cranberry sector thrive and will continue to partner with growers to support the industry."

Since 2020, MDAR has awarded over $6.5 million to 104 growers for renovating 479 acres of growing space under the Massachusetts Cranberry Bog Renovation Enhancement Grant Program. Made possible with funding through the Mass Ready Act, this program helps renovate cranberry bogs, allowing them to increase yields and produce cranberries more efficiently.

Working closely with cranberry farmers and stakeholder groups including Massachusetts Cranberries and the UMass Cranberry Station in Wareham, MDAR will continue to support best practices in water management and sustainable growing techniques, helping growers with climate resiliency and ensuring that the sector remains part of the Commonwealth's agricultural landscape.

"We're incredibly grateful to Governor Healey and her administration for shining a spotlight on this vital industry," said Executive Director of Massachusetts Cranberries Brian Wick. "Massachusetts cranberry growers are not only preserving a centuries-old tradition, but they're also driving innovation, protecting natural resources, and contributing significantly to the local economy. Cranberry Month is a well-deserved recognition of their hard work and the value they bring to our state."

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• Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources

  The Department's mission is to cultivate a robust and equitable agricultural economy, promote a safe and resilient food system, and preserve a healthy environment for Massachusetts farmers, animals, and consumers.