SBIR-STTR Award

Opportunity: A well-defined and established B2B market for 65 & ordm; Brix elderberry juice concentrate exists in the US. It is monopolized by imported products, pulling millions of dollars annually out of the US economy that could be used to support networks of small and mid-size farms. For the US to enter this multi-million dollar market, we must develop a cost-effective technology process to produce a concentrate that retains phytonutrients and differentiates itself in the marketplace. Finally we must secure a stable and scalable supply of elderberries sourced from small and mid-size farms. The Proposed Effort: Elderberries are recognized for their health-promoting properties, created by the anthocyanins, flavonoids, polyphenolics, and other powerful phytonutrients they contain. In previous Phase I/II USDA/NIFA SBIR awards, Eldertide LLC identified superior varieties of elderberries for commercial production, developed a juice blend with a greater array of phytonutrients than single-sourced berries, successfully developed nutraceutical product prototypes, started Eldertide’s Elderberry School, and established a network of small farms growing elderberries for high-value niche markets. Many small and mid-size farms are already realizing returns from B2C market opportunities, while even greater economic opportunities await them in the larger, more stable domestic B2B markets. With a team of expert consultants, Eldertide will explore the feasibility of producing a US elderberry concentrate that retains higher levels of the desired attributes, making it superior to existing concentrate imports. Concurrently, the project team will establish the supply chain (small and mid-size farms) and demand chain (concentrate buyers) and develop a sound marketing strategy.

Anticipated Results:
A superior elderberry juice concentrate will be developed, along with a roadmap and a value proposition that conveys the opportunities available to all stakeholders. A report outlining operational and economic feasibility will be developed. Phase III commercialization efforts will generate additional jobs and revenue for rural populations in the related fields of farming, processing, manufacturing, procurement, distribution, and management. The USDA recognizes the need to maintain land for farms, and the new jobs and revenue stream arising from this project will provide greater opportunities to farmers that will strengthen the social fabric of rural communities. Further, success with the grower’s network model will enable its replication in other rural areas to support both elderberry and other specialty crops. Potential Commercialization Applications: There are technical, economic, and social benefits to this Phase I effort. The proposed platform technology will initially be applied to previously established superior varieties of elderberries. Once proven successful, this technology can be applied to other fruits including blueberries, cranberries, raspberries, and aronia. The marketplace has expressed strong interest in a US-produced elderberry juice concentrate for the nutraceutical, specialty food and beverage, and colorant industries.

A B2B market is well-established in the US for imported elderberries. This results in millions of dollars going abroad annually that could stay in the US supporting networks of small and mid-size farms. We will develop a pilot scale process to produce elderberry concentrate, and we will provide support for full time farmers who seek to grow elderberries as a high value specialty crop. We will develop a national branding and marketing strategy for Phase III commercialization efforts. Success allows Eldertide to enter an existing B2B market and eventually export the concentrate.