TRAVERSE CITY, MI - The U.S. Tart Cherry Industry made a bold statement at this year’s Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo (FNCE), reintroducing tart cherries to the conference’s influential registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) as a versatile, science-backed fruit with staying power.

Through an immersive kickoff experience with a select group of close to 100 of the industry’s most notable dietitians, the industry demonstrated how tart cherries — whether sipped, snacked or baked — can move beyond the sidelines and become a staple in American homes and health routines.

For the tart cherry industry, showing up at FNCE wasn’t just about visibility — it was about signaling a future-forward shift. As more consumers turn to food for function, dietitians play a pivotal role in shaping purchasing habits, recommending products and building trust in agricultural ingredients. The event reinforced tart cherries’ value as a credible, research-backed food with relevance far beyond the dessert aisle.

“Registered dietitians are not only science translators, they’re cultural connectors,” said Amy Cohn, RDN, president of the U.S. Tart Cherry Industry, in the recent release. “When they recommend a specific type of food, it matters — at the grocery store, in the pantry and across social platforms. This event gave dietitians a reason to see tart cherries differently and to bring that story to life for the people they serve.”

The Power of Movement Meets the Power of Recovery

The experience — titled Power Down with Tart Cherries — tapped into growing consumer interest in rest, recovery and everyday performance. The event leaned into tart cherries’ deep ties to muscle recovery, connecting the dots between tart cherry juice, muscle support and the rising popularity of products that help consumers reset after physical activity.

From juice to dried fruit, frozen, canned and beyond, tart cherries were showcased not only as delicious but also as purposeful.

A Strategic First Step

This presence at FNCE represents a new chapter for the tart cherry industry: one focused on uniting growers, processors, health professionals, and food communicators behind a single goal — making tart cherries a household staple across all forms.

“It’s not just about product; it’s about presence,” added Cohn. “We showed up where the future of food and nutrition is being shaped, and the message we heard back from dietitians was clear: tart cherries belong on the table.”