Can Cranberries Go Global?

Every week in our newsletter, we help homeschool families and co-ops discuss current events...with a cup of hot chocolate. Read more about our Hot Chocolate and Current Events initiative here.  

https://www.silverdalepress.com/current-events.html

This week, we have a holiday-themed current event: the globalization of the cranberry. Read this article from Wisconsin Public Radio. Easier yet, you can just play the accompanying audio clip. For further information, click on the links in the article—they are pretty interesting as well. 

https://www.wpr.org/trade-mission-wisconsin-cranberry-growers-work-grow-demand-overseas

Map Points: 

• Wisconsin
• China
• India

Key Terms:

• U.S. Cranberry Marketing Committee and Wisconsin Cranberry Growers Association—both are special interest groups that act on behalf of people working in the cranberry industry
• Reverse Trade Mission--brings global decision-makers to the U.S. to see the manufacture of U.S. products in order to help that product or industry grow and develop 

Discussion Questions:

• Get the conversation started by asking your students if they like cranberries. What are their favorite cranberry dishes? Do they think canned cranberries are real food? 
• Next, look at the chart, “Cranberry production in Wisconsin and Canada, 2007-2016.” What does it show? 
• Based on the chart, if you were a cranberry grower, describe the good things and bad things about your situation. 
• The first paragraph of the article states the basic law of supply and demand. What is it?
• Why did the cranberry growers invite buyers, bloggers, and social media influencers from India and China? Would you have included any other countries? Would you have included any other kinds of people?
• How would you have felt if you were an international buyer or influencer, seeing cranberry production for the first time? What questions would you have asked? 
• What was the goal of the Reverse Trade Mission? 
• If you were one of the people invited, what would you do to spread the word about cranberries when you got home?
• What about cranberries would appeal to people living in China and India? 
• What do you think of the marketing campaigns that have been going on to increase awareness of the cranberry? What has been their impact? 
• Why do you think fresh cranberries cannot currently be imported into China?
• Why does Brooks Ericsson say that staying in these global markets is important, even though they require an upfront investment of time and money?
• Do you think the U.S. Department of Agriculture should set production limits?
• Do you think it’s a good idea to ship fresh cranberries half way around the world? 

---