Cheribundi

Cheribundi was initially founded as CherryPharm in 2004 by John Davey, a Wall Street banker who quit his job in 2006 to focus on the cherry drink startup.{{cite web|url=https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/money/business/2020/01/29/cheribundi-juice-maker-leaving-geneva-ontario-county-ny-for-michigan/4608679002/ |title=Juice maker departure the pits for Ontario County |website=Democrat and Chronicle |date=January 29, 2020 |accessdate=February 22, 2021}} He worked with Cornell University food scientist Olga Padilla-Zakour, the director of Cornell's Food Venture Center (FVC) in Geneva, to develop an all-natural tart cherry juice. The resulting product was named CherryPharm, and the drink retained what are believed to be pain-prevention and muscle-damage recovery properties of sour cherries.{{cite web |last1=McCandless |first1=Linda |title=Sour power: Entrepreneur teams up with Cornell food scientists to create sports drink using tart cherries |url=http://news.cornell.edu/stories/2006/08/entrepreneur-teams-cornell-create-sports-drink |website=Cornell Chronicle |publisher=Cornell University |accessdate=19 June 2018 |date=August 14, 2006}} The company began manufacturing its juice at the Cornell Agriculture and Food Technology Park at the FVC in Geneva.

From 2009 to 2013, Brian Ross served as CEO.{{cite web|url=https://www.bevnet.com/news/2014/ross-leaves-cheribundi-to-be-replaced-by-odwallas-steve-pear/ |title=Ross Leaves Cheribundi; New CEO Odwalla’s Steve Pear|website=BevNET|date=June 10, 2014 |accessdate=February 22, 2021}}

In May 2012, the company closed a $4.5M round of equity funding, and was by then being reportedly carried by 3,000 grocery stores.{{cite web|url=https://rbj.net/2012/05/11/cherrypharm-gets-4-5m-boost/|title=CherryPharm gets $4.5M boost|website=Rochester Business Journal|date=May 11, 2021 |accessdate=February 22, 2021}} Later that year, CherryPharm rebranded as Cheribundi.{{cite web|url=https://www.bevnet.com/news/2012/cheribundi-cheers-cash-infusion-steers-toward-retail/ |title=Cheribundi Cheers Cash Infusion, Steers Toward Retail |website=BevNET|date=April 4, 2014 |accessdate=February 22, 2021}}

In 2013, the company hired Steve Pear as CEO. Pear previously worked at Odwalla, part of the Coca-Cola company.{{cite web |last1=Menayang |first1=Adi |title=Anthocynanin-packed tart cherry beverage reaches non-athlete audience |url=https://www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Article/2016/02/10/Anthocyanin-packed-tart-cherry-beverage-reaches-non-athlete-audience |website=Foodnavigator USA |accessdate=19 June 2018 |date=February 10, 2016}}

In 2016, the company invested more than $4 million to relocate its facilities to the former Tops Friendly Markets on New York State Routes 5 and 20, directly creating 35 new jobs as part of the "Finger Lakes Forward" initiative.{{cite news |title=Investment Complements "Finger Lakes Forward" – Region's Successful Upstate Revitalization Initiative Blueprint to Grow the Economy and Create New Opportunities |url=https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-announces-cheribundi-inc-expansion-create-35-new-jobs-ontario-county |accessdate=19 June 2018 |agency=New York State Governor's Press Office |date=October 6, 2016}}

In 2017, the company moved into its new Geneva location.

In June 2019, the company announced Mike Hagan would be taking over as CEO.{{cite web|url=https://www.bevnet.com/news/2019/cheribundi-announces-changes-to-executive-leadership/ |title=Cheribundi Announces Changes to Executive Leadership |website=BevNET|date=June 27, 2019 |accessdate=February 22, 2021}}

In January 2020, the company announced it was moving manufacturing to Shelby, Michigan. In February, it was announced that the company was contracting manufacturing to Shelby-based fruit processor Peterson Farms, to reduce processing costs and for easier access to Michigan's Montmorency tart cherries.{{cite web|url=https://www.michiganfarmnews.com/peterson-farms-picked-to-process-cheribundi-tart-cherry-juice |title=Peterson Farms picked to process Cheribundi tart cherry juice |website=Michigan Farm News|date=February 21, 2020 |accessdate=February 22, 2021}} In September, the company announced that CEO Mike Hagan had left the company, and that the CEO role was not going to be immediately filled.{{cite web|url=https://www.foodbusinessnews.net/articles/17360-cheribundi-secures-15-million-investment |title=Cheribundi secures $15 million investment |website=Food Business News |date=November 24, 2020 |accessdate=February 22, 2021}} In November, the company raised $15 million in a Series B funding round led by private investment firm Emil Capital Partners.

In April 2022, Cheribundi announced Deebo Samuel, Lindsey Horan, Tyrese Haliburton, and Michaela Onyenwere as the brand's first-ever athlete investors.{{Cite web |title=DEEBO SAMUEL, LINDSAY HORAM AMONG FIRST ATHLETES INVESTORS IN CHERIBUNDI |url=https://cheribundi.com/blogs/press/deebo-samuel-lindsay-horam-among-first-athletes-investors-in-cheribundi |access-date=2023-02-28 |website=Cheribundi |language=en-US}}

File:Cheribundi Tart Cherry Juice.png

The company's main product line is tart cherry juice, with the original version containing 200 cherries per 32 fluid ounces, and 160 cherries in the "light" version. Cheribundi's 100% Tart version contains one ingredient (tart cherries), is not from concentrate, and has no added sugars. Juice is distributed in 8 and 32-ounce bottles.{{cite web |url=https://www.bevnet.com/SupplierFinder/cheribundi |title=Supplier Finder |website=BEVNET.com |publisher=BEVNET }} In 2021, the company introduced tart cherry juice concentrates, available in convenient, on-the-go pouches and 32-ounce bottles.

The positive effects of tart cherry juice are thought to be the result of phyto-nutrients and antioxidants, such as anthocyanins, melatonin and quercetin. These compounds occur naturally and are in high proportion in deeply colored fruits, such as tart cherries.{{cite web |last1=Anaya |first1=Courtney |title=4 BEST MUSCLE-RECOVERY DRINKS |url=https://www.muscleandfitness.com/muscle-fitness-hers/hers-nutrition/4-best-muscle-recovery-drinks |website=muscleandfitness.com |publisher=Muscle & Fitness |accessdate=2 July 2018}}{{cite news |last1=Sherwood |first1=Julie |title=Tart cherries, sweet reward |url=http://www.mpnnow.com/news/20160723/tart-cherries-sweet-reward |publisher=GateHouse Media |date=July 23, 2016}}

Cheribundi is distributed at stores across the United States, including retailers such as Wegman's, Publix, Kroger, Safeway, Meijer, and Whole Foods. In addition to online sales, the company sells to over 400 professional and collegiate sports teams, including the Anaheim Angels, Boston Red Sox, New York Giants, New York Knicks, New York Mets and New York Rangers.{{cite web|url=https://www.halosheaven.com/2021/1/22/22241692/angels-mlb-diets-sports-nutritionist-becci-twombley |title=Meet the sports nutritionist who keeps Angels players’ diets in shape |website=Halos Heaven |date=January 22, 2021 |accessdate=February 22, 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://boston.cbslocal.com/2020/11/03/glen-tobias-boston-red-sox-nutrition-recovery-tips/ |title=Red Sox Team Performance Dietician Glen Tobias: ‘Most Important Meal Of Day Isn’t Breakfast, It’s Right After Your Workout’|website=CBS Local|date=November 3, 2020 |accessdate=February 22, 2021}}{{cite web |last1=Deckert |first1=Andrea |title=Cheribundi squeezes out more growth |url=https://rbj.net/2013/11/01/cheribundi-squeezes-out-more-growth/ |website=Rochester Business Journal |publisher=Bridgetower Media |accessdate=February 17, 2021 |date=November 1, 2013}}

Tart cherries similar to those used in Cheribundi drinks have been the subject of much research, with studies conducted by third parties and research institutions including the British Journal of Sports Medicine, the Journal of Nutrition, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, the VA Medical Center, and the University of Pennsylvania.{{cite web |last1=Lobby-Havey |first1=Mackenzie |title=Tart Cherries Are Aiming For The Superfood Throne |url=https://www.triathlete.com/2017/03/nutrition/tart-cherries-aiming-superfood-throne_298780 |website=Triathlete.com |publisher=Triathlete Magazine |accessdate=17 August 2018|date=2017-03-29 }}{{cite web |last1=Cutcliffe |first1=Tim |title=Tart Cherry Juice May Help You Get a Good Night's Sleep: Study |url=https://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Article/2017/11/02/Tart-cherry-juice-may-help-you-get-a-good-night-s-sleep-Study |website=Nutraingredients USA |accessdate=19 June 2018 |date=November 2, 2017}}{{cite journal |last1=Connolly |first1=DAJ |last2=McHugh |first2=MP |last3=Padilla-Zakour |first3=OI |title=Efficacy of a tart cherry juice blend in preventing the symptoms of muscle damage |journal=British Journal of Sports Medicine |volume=40 |issue=8 |pages=679–683 |date=2006 |doi=10.1136/bjsm.2005.025429|pmid=16790484 |pmc=2579450 }}{{cite journal |author1=McHugh, Malachy |author2=Kwiecien, Susan |title= Tart Cherry Juice Consumption as a Potential Treatment for Migraine Headaches|journal= Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise|year=2016 |volume=48 |page=S187 |url=http://healthdocbox.com/amp/78885678-Exercise/B-03-highlighted-symposium-physical-activity-sports-or-fitness-fighting-fatness-or-finding-enjoyment-the-youth-dilemma-wednesday-june-1-2016.html |accessdate=19 June 2018 |doi=10.1249/01.mss.0000485732.68343.44|url-access=subscription }} Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University studied tart cherries and found cherry juice could replace nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, without triggering side effects, including gastrointestinal bleeding.{{cite web|url=https://amp.coloradoan.com/amp/78864634 |title=How cherries can provide juicy pain relief |website=The Coloradoan |date=January 15, 2016 |accessdate=February 22, 2021}} The company has promoted these studies as indicating that consumers of their beverages will receive a wide range of health benefits against muscle fatigue and joint inflammation.{{cite web |last1=Cespedes |first1=Andrea |title=The Recommended Amount of Tart Cherry Juice You Should Drink |url=https://www.livestrong.com/article/544380-the-recommended-amount-of-tart-cherry-juice-you-should-drink/ |website=Livestrong |publisher=Livestrong |date=October 3, 2017}} Consuming Montmorency cherries, used to make Cheribundi, also reportedly improves gut health by stimulating the growth of good bacteria.{{cite journal |last1= Maya-Apaza |first1= Alba C. |last2= Pottgen |first2= Ellen |last3= De Bodt |first3= Jana |last4= Papp |first4= Nora |last5= Marasini |first5= Daya |last6= Howard |first6= Luke |last7= Abranko |first7= Laszlo |last8= Van de Wiele |first8= Tom |last9= Lee |first9= Sun-Ok |last10= Carbonero |first10= Franck |date= September 2018|title= August 8, 2017 |journal= The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry |volume= 59 |issue= September 2018 |pages= 160–172 |doi=10.1016/j.jnutbio.2018.04.001 |pmid= 30055451 |doi-access= }}

Cheribundi was the title sponsor of the Boca Raton Bowl, an NCAA College Football bowl game, through the 2019 season.{{cite web |last1=Kirshner |first1=Alex |title=College football's Boca Raton Bowl is henceforth called the CHERIBUNDI TART CHERRY BOCA RATON BOWL |url=https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2017/12/1/16720562/boca-raton-bowl-cheribundi-tart-title-sponsor |website=SB Nation |accessdate=19 June 2018 |date=December 1, 2017}} The company has also partnered with the team nutritionists of sports teams, and has sponsored professional athletes such as Aly Raisman, the McCourty Twins, Devin McCourty and Jason McCourty, Team Crossfit Mayhem and Mayhem Teams, and Trey Wingo, host of ESPN Golic and Wingo, NFL PrimeTime, and SportsCenter specials on ESPN.{{cite web |author=Editorial Staff |title=Cheribundi Partners with Over 220 Sports Teams |url=https://www.bevnet.com/news/2018/cheribundi-partners-220-sports-teams |website=BevNet |accessdate=10 July 2018|date=2018-07-09 }}{{cite web |last1=Molloy |first1=Matt |title=Olympian touts locally made juice drink |url=https://13wham.com/news/local/olympian-touts-locally-made-juice-drink |publisher=WHAM Rochester New York |date=August 8, 2017}}{{cite web |last1=Ban |first1=Sarah |title=Olympic Gymnast Aly Raisman Can't Function Without Tart Cherries |url=http://www.organicauthority.com/olympic-gymnast-aly-raisman-cant-function-without-tart-cherries/ |website=Organic Authority |date=May 11, 2017}}{{cite web |title=Exhibitor News: NFL Stars McCourty Twins Blitz at Cheribundi Booth |url=https://www.specialtyfood.com/news/article/exhibitor-news-nfl-superstars-mccourty-twins-and-cheribundi-blitz-show/ |website=Specialty Food Magazine |publisher=Specialty Food Association |date=2014-06-25 }}{{cite news |title=Trey Wingo Joins Cheribundi As Brand Ambassador |url=https://www.bevnet.com/news/2014/trey-wingo-joins-cheribundi-as-brand-ambassador |accessdate=19 June 2018 |publisher=BEVNET |date=October 29, 2014}} Cheribundi was also the official juice partner of the Arthritis Foundation's "Let’s Get a Grip on Arthritis"{{cite news |last1=Villines |first1=Claire |title=The Arthritis Foundation Asks Americans to Support Its "Lets Get a Grip on Arthritis" Campaign Until a Cure is Found |url=https://www.arthritis.org/about-us/news-and-updates/arthritis-foundation-launches-lets-get-a-grip-on-arthritis.php |accessdate=10 July 2018}} and is a sponsor of the Collegiate and Professional Sports Dietitians Association (CPSDA).{{cite web |last1=Sagers |first1=Dan |title=Cheribundi Juices |url=http://www.sportsrd.org/?page_id=1486 |website=CPSDA.com |publisher=CPSDA |accessdate=24 July 2018}}

{{reflist}}

• [http://www.Cheribundi.com/ Official website]

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Category:Food and drink companies established in 2004

Category:Food and drink companies based in Connecticut