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P r o f i l e s i n e x c e l l e n c e M a i n e — A P h oto P o rt r A i t o f t h e P i n e t r ee S tAt e 117 "I see sustainability as a way forward that respects all of our stakeholders and in time will pay off with like- minded customers. As our tag line says, we are recommended by future generations," says President & CEO Ed Flanagan. Top: Harvesting machines on the Barrens. Bottom: Wyman's of Maine retail products. tories continuously process the crop, which means between 1-1.5 million pounds. of fruit each day run through Wyman's factories. For many years wild blueberries were primarily used for "muffins-pies-pancakes" in the U.S. and for jams and yogurts in Europe and Japan. But during the 1990s the USDA's Aging & Nutrition Center at Tufts University developed a methodology for quantifying the antioxidant values in fruits and vegetables, and blueberries ranked number one. Lab studies verified the benefits of antioxidants, especially the antioxidant properties of blueberries found mostly in the blue color. Research at many universities developed posi- tive findings for blueberries and its antioxidant, anti- cancer, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties. The wild blueberry has evolved characteristics that it needed to survive growing low to the ground in a harsh climate. And it is those characteristics that are behind the healthy reputation of wild blueberries. As a result, per capita blueberry consumption over the last decade has more than doubled. Wyman's is the number-one brand of frozen blue- berry in the U.S., selling at traditional groceries, natu- ral food stores and warehouse clubs. Wyman's also sells wild blueberry juice, canned fruit and other frozen berries to the retail trade. Wyman's full line of berry products is also available to the foodservice trade throughout the U.S. and Canada via the Wyman brand and distributor labels. And the company con- tinues to serve the industrial trade. Wyman's supplies many of America's best muffin and pie bakeries and has customers ranging from prominent yogurt and jam brands in Japan to Maine's own premier jam mak- er — Stonewall Kitchens. But what makes Wyman's special is not just the Barrens, the most fertile wild blueberry fields in the world. It is the people of Wyman's. From the Wyman family through management, to the farm, factory and office staff and the growers who supply Wyman's, all abide by the core principle of "continuous improve- ment" of everything Wyman's does. As a result, in 2012 Wyman's met the expectations of the GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative) by receiving SQF (Safe-Quality- Foods) certification. Wyman's is also a top performer on SYSCO's Sustainable Farm Audit and is a proud member of the Sustainable Food Lab and The Pollina- tor Partnership. Wyman's holds itself to the standards set forth in its Sustainability Mission and places equal priority on the triple bottom line of economic profitability, en- vironmental stewardship and social equity. A prime example of Wyman's commitment to its Sustainability Mission is its national leadership role in seeking a so- lution to the mysterious die-off of honeybees, known as Colony Collapse Disorder. As a responsible farm, important rural employer, and global supplier, Wyman's has been proud to call itself a Maine company for over 140 years and looks forward to the challenges and successes of the next 140.