On September 11, 2026, Traverse Bay Farms will celebrate a milestone few small family businesses ever reach: 25 years in business.
Bellaire, MI (PRUnderground) July 29th, 2026
Founded in 2001 by Andy and Jennifer LaPointe in Northern Michigan, Traverse Bay Farms has grown from a simple idea into one of America’s most recognized specialty food brands, earning more than 38 national food awards while remaining independently owned and operated by the same family that started it.
For co-founder Andy LaPointe, the anniversary represents much more than a business achievement.
“It’s difficult to believe that twenty-five years have passed,” said Andy LaPointe, co-founder of Traverse Bay Farms. “When Jennifer and I started this company, we weren’t trying to build a national brand. We simply believed in sharing what makes Northern Michigan so special, and we wanted to share them with more families.”
From One Simple Idea
Traverse Bay Farms began with a straightforward mission: craft exceptional gourmet foods and wellness products using as much locally grown produce as possible from Northern Michigan.
There was no large investment group.
No venture capital.
No elaborate business plan promising overnight success.
Instead, there was a commitment to quality, customer service, and the belief that if the products were exceptional, customers would return.
Over the years, that philosophy helped the company expand from a handful of products into a nationally distributed line that includes:
- Tart cherry juice concentrate
- Fruit-based dietary supplements
- Gourmet salsas
- Fruit preserves
- BBQ sauces
- Salad dressings
- Dried fruits
- Specialty foods inspired by Northern Michigan
Today, Traverse Bay Farms products are shipped throughout the United States while remaining rooted in Bellaire, Michigan with another retail store in Elk Rapids.
The company has been included in two nationally published and distributed natural health books, published by Bottom Line Health. In addition, they have dozens of photos of their products with Hollywood celebrities and testimonials from Hollywood elites, too.
Growing Through Challenges
Like many small businesses, the journey was far from easy.
The company weathered economic downturns, changing consumer preferences, increased competition, evolving technology, and the countless challenges that come with operating a family business over multiple decades.
“There were moments that tested us,” LaPointe said. “Every entrepreneur has those days where you wonder if you’re making the right decisions. Looking back now, those difficult seasons were often the moments that taught us the most.”
Rather than chasing short-term trends, Traverse Bay Farms focused on steady, sustainable growth.
That long-term approach helped the company earn national recognition while staying true to its Northern Michigan roots.
Innovation Never Stops
Although the company is celebrating its history, LaPointe says the future may be even more exciting.
In recent years, Traverse Bay Farms has embraced artificial intelligence, digital publishing, educational content, and video production to better serve customers and educate consumers about superfruits, healthy foods, and Northern Michigan agriculture.
The company has expanded beyond traditional food products to become an educational resource through articles, videos, recipes, books, and online content designed to help consumers make informed food choices.
“We’re still learning,” LaPointe said. “Twenty-five years doesn’t mean you’ve arrived. It means you’ve earned the opportunity to continue improving.”
A Family Business at Heart
Despite national recognition and continued growth, Traverse Bay Farms remains what it has always been—a family business.
“Our customers have become part of our extended family,” LaPointe said. “Some have been ordering from us for more than two decades. We’ve watched their children grow up, and now some of those children are introducing our products to their own families. That’s incredibly humbling.”
That connection with customers remains one of the company’s greatest sources of pride.
Looking Toward the Next 25 Years
As Traverse Bay Farms approaches its silver anniversary, LaPointe says the company remains committed to the principles that inspired its founding.
“We’re grateful for every customer, every employee, every retailer, and every supporter who believed in us over these past twenty-five years,” he said. “This anniversary isn’t really about us. It’s about everyone who has been part of this journey.”
With continued investments in innovation, education, and premium Northern Michigan-inspired products, Traverse Bay Farms believes its best years are still ahead.
“We’ve spent the last twenty-five years building something we’re proud of,” LaPointe said. “Now we’re excited to see what the next twenty-five years will bring.”
About Traverse Bay Farms / Fruit Advantage
Traverse Bay Farms – America’s #1 award-winning superfruit brand – Inspired by Northern Michigan, recognized with 38+ national food awards for flavor and quality. Family-owned in Northern Michigan, we provide fruit-forward gourmet foods and wellness products using as much Michigan-grown fruit as possible—USA cherries.
Our lineup features fruit salsas, fruit barbecue sauces, no-added-sugar dried cherries and blueberries, and our renowned tart cherry juice concentrate—bottled in glass and backed by the industry’s first and only sediment-free guarantee. We also publish educational resources to help customers enjoy healthy lifestyles, understand the science behind cherries and other superfruits.
About Fruit Advantage
Fruit Advantage®, our sister brand, offers fruit-based supplements formulated to support everyday wellness. Offerings include tart cherry, wild blueberry, and pomegranate capsules. Cherry Prime
— Complete Muscle & Joint Complex uniquely combines tart cherries with glucosamine and chondroitin to help support joint comfort and active recovery.*
- 38+ national food awards
- Glass-bottled cherry juice with a sediment-free guarantee
- As much Michigan-grown fruit as possible; USA-grown ingredients
- Two year-round retail stores in Bellaire and Elk Rapids, Michigan
- 24/7 live phone customer service: 1-877-746-7477
Learn more at TraverseBayFarms.com.
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Original Press Release.
