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\\u201cUltimately it transports us back to a time when food was simple, clean and delicious.\\u201d

Sarah Frey (4:32-4:39)

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How wonderful would it be to grow up on a farm where you get to experience the magic of what the earth is capable of, while picking blackberries and other fresh fruit that get turned into refreshing, delicious agua frescas?

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That\\u2019s part of the beauty that Sarah Frey, CEO of Sarah\\u2019s Homegrown Produce experienced on her family farm growing up that she now owns and operates today. After picking blackberries, they\\u2019d take the leftovers back home, muddle them, add pure cane sugar, pour water over the mixture, stir it up and drink it fresh. You probably know Sarah from previous episodes where she shared her journey with her family\\u2019s Frey Farms and her most popular product, Tsamma watermelon juice. Now, Sarah\\u2019s Homegrown has expanded into delicious agua frescas, teas, lemonades and functional products.

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\\u201cI started noticing more agua frescas pop up at smaller restaurant venues across the country and I was taken back to when I was a little girl and we would make agua frescas on the farm.\\u201d Sarah Frey (13:35-13:55)

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Sarah Frey and Sarah\\u2019s Homegrown Produce was one of the first produce companies to go all in on beverages. They started making fresh beverages over seven years ago on the farm and most of their products are made right on the farm themselves. You could say their beverage line is the essence of sustainability because all of their products are made from clean ingredients and every part of the process is purposeful.

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They\\u2019re now moving into the functional category which is, quite simply, anything that makes you feel better! Whether that\\u2019s a product that improves your gut health, immunity, energy, hydration or cognitive function, many of the things you enjoy can be considered a functional product.\\xa0

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The number one functional benefit of all Sarah\\u2019s Homegrown Agua Frescas is immunity. The second is hydration.

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One of the top ways Sarah\\u2019s Homegrown ensures they\\u2019re a sustainable brand is by using what the industry calls \\u201cugly fruit\\u201d, or produce that doesn\\u2019t meet retail specs. There\\u2019s plenty of wonderful, ripe, nutritious fruit that is grown and ends up being thrown away because it isn\\u2019t the perfect shape or color.\\xa0

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It doesn\\u2019t matter what a fruit looks like to end up in Sarah\\u2019s Agua Frescas, and they\\u2019re now able to utilize more of their crop, which would have otherwise been used for composting. Whether an Agua Fresca\\u2019s fruit comes from one of Sarah\\u2019s farms or one of their partners, you know the product you\\u2019re receiving as a consumer was created, produced and distributed by the farmer themselves.

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\\u201cNot only is it the right thing to do for the planet, but it\\u2019s the right thing to do for the customer, the consumer, and the farm.\\u201d Hilary Long (5:02-5:11)

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Sarah\\u2019s Homegrown Agua Frescas come in three, refreshing flavors: mango, strawberry and watermelon and they\\u2019re working on a line of functional flavors and a flavorless vitamin pack that\\u2019s approachable for customers. Especially during these times of a pandemic, it\\u2019s great to have a functional drink available that\\u2019s number one functional benefit is immunity and it\\u2019s equally as hydrating.

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Whether you enjoy one of Sarah\\u2019s Homegrown Agua Frescas as an after workout treat, in a cocktail or mocktail, or with your favorite meal, know you\\u2019re supporting a sustainability movement for farmers across the U.S. and enjoying something that has added health benefits.

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How to get involved

• Join The Produce Moms Group on Facebook and continue the discussion every week!\\xa0
• Reach out to us - we\\u2019d love to hear more about where you are in life and business! Find out more here.\\xa0

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If you liked this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a quick review on iTunes. It would mean the world to hear your feedback and we\\u2019d love for you to help us spread the word!