Red Raspberry, Blackberry and Strawberry Rhubarb return for a limited 25th anniversary run exclusively at the company's Bellaire and Elk Rapids stores

Bellaire, MI (PRUnderground) August 24th, 2026

Twenty-five years after Traverse Bay Farms opened its doors in Northern Michigan, the family-owned company is going back to offering three flavors when it first started.

To celebrate its 25th anniversary, Traverse Bay Farms is bringing renewed attention to Red Raspberry, Blackberry and Strawberry Rhubarb jams -- three of the original flavors offered when Andy LaPointe, co-founder, started the company in 2001.

Beginning August 24, 2026, the three anniversary flavors will be 15% off exclusively at the Traverse Bay Farms retail stores in Bellaire and Elk Rapids, Michigan.

They will not be available online and will not be shipped.

Quantities are limited, and the anniversary offer will continue only while supplies last.

"These three flavors take us right back to the beginning," said Andy LaPointe, co-founder of Traverse Bay Farms. "When we started the company in 2001, we had a much smaller product line, and Red Raspberry, Blackberry and Strawberry Rhubarb were part of those early days. Bringing them forward again for our 25th anniversary gives us a chance to remember where we started and the people who helped us get here."

Back Where They Started

Traverse Bay Farms sells and ships cherry juice concentrate, dried cherries and other products to customers across the United States through its website and specialty retailers, but the company intentionally decided not to offer the three anniversary jams online.

The reason is rooted in the company's history.

These flavors were first sold face to face to customers in Northern Michigan. For the anniversary, Traverse Bay Farms wanted them to return in much the same way.

"We are incredibly grateful for every customer who orders from us online, but these three jams started in a store, with people walking through the door," LaPointe said. "If we were going to celebrate them 25 years later, it felt right to bring them back where that part of the story began."

For a family business rooted in a small Northern Michigan community, LaPointe said the anniversary is also about relationships built over decades.

"Twenty-five years in a community like Bellaire means you get to know generations of customers," he said. "Some of the people who supported us in the beginning still come through the door, and now we see their children and families. That is more than a customer list. That is a community."

The Three Original Flavors

The limited anniversary promotion includes:

Red Raspberry -- Bright and sweet-tart, with the familiar flavor of red raspberries. It has been part of the Traverse Bay Farms story since the company's earliest days.

Blackberry -- Rich, deep and traditional, reflecting the classic fruit flavors that helped define the original Traverse Bay Farms product collection.

Strawberry Rhubarb -- A Northern Michigan favorite pairing sweet strawberry flavor with the distinctive tartness of rhubarb.

All three are available only at the company's Bellaire and Elk Rapids retail stores during the anniversary promotion.

From Three Jams to a National Fruit Brand

What began with a small collection of fruit products has grown over the past 25 years into a nationally distributed gourmet food and superfruit brand.

Today, Traverse Bay Farms is especially known for its Montmorency tart cherry products, including tart cherry juice concentrate, dried cherries and fruit supplements. The company also offers fruit salsas, salad dressings, barbecue sauces, preserves and other specialty foods.

Traverse Bay Farms has earned more than 38 national food awards while remaining family-owned and based in Northern Michigan.

Through the growth of ecommerce, changing retail trends and expanding national distribution, the company has remained connected to Antrim County and its Northern Michigan roots.

"Going back to these original flavors reminds us that every business starts somewhere," LaPointe said. "We started small, listened to our customers and kept building. Twenty-five years later, that is still how we look at the business."

25th Anniversary In-Store Offer

The anniversary promotion begins August 24, 2026.

Customers will receive 15% off Red Raspberry, Blackberry and Strawberry Rhubarb jams at the following Traverse Bay Farms locations:

Traverse Bay Farms -- Bellaire

7053 South M-88 Highway
Bellaire, MI 49615
(231) 533-8788

Traverse Bay Farms -- Elk Rapids

204 River Street
Elk Rapids, MI 49629
(231) 498-2400

The three anniversary flavors are available in stores only. They are not available through the Traverse Bay Farms website and cannot be shipped.

There is no scheduled end date. The promotion continues while supplies last.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the three anniversary jams be ordered online?

No. Red Raspberry, Blackberry and Strawberry Rhubarb are being offered as an in-store-only anniversary promotion at the Traverse Bay Farms stores in Bellaire and Elk Rapids, Michigan. They are not available online and cannot be shipped.

When does the 15% anniversary discount end?

There is no fixed end date. The promotion begins August 24, 2026, and continues while supplies last. Traverse Bay Farms will offer a limited quantity of each flavor for the anniversary.

Can customers reserve jars?

Customers may call the individual store to ask about current availability or whether a jar can be held. The Bellaire store can be reached at (231) 533-8788, and the Elk Rapids store at (231) 498-2400.

Will these flavors become permanent products again?

The current release is a limited 25th anniversary offering. Traverse Bay Farms will evaluate customer response before making any decisions about future availability.

About Traverse Bay Farms

Co-founded in 2001 by Andy LaPointe, Traverse Bay Farms is a family-owned gourmet food and superfruit company based in Bellaire, Michigan. The Northern Michigan company is known for Montmorency tart cherry products including tart cherry juice concentrate, dried cherries and fruit supplements, along with fruit salsas, preserves, salad dressings, barbecue sauces and other specialty foods.

Traverse Bay Farms has earned more than 38 national food awards and serves customers online, through specialty retailers and at its year-round retail stores in Bellaire and Elk Rapids, Michigan.