Iowa aronia berries a fresh, local, and healthy Iowa-grown food at RAGBRAI

On Friday, July 29th, RAGBRAI bicyclers rolling into Homestead, IA, will be midway through the grueling 75 mile stretch of the longest mileage day in their trek across Iowa.  Muscle weary and in need of recuperation, the road ahead toward Coralville may seem the most difficult of this year's journey across Iowa. But behold cyclers, a unique and powerful superfruit called aronia will greet you, in Homestead, when you need it most!  Aronia berries possess the highest level of antioxidants among all the world's fruits.  Research on athletes who consumed aronia after vigorous exercise suggests that aronia has a profound impact speeding muscle recovery after physical exertion.  It gets better.  Aronia is native to Iowa; therefore, it is well adapted to Iowa's rich prairie soils lending to its attributes for strong resistance to pests and disease.

Aronia berries, served in smoothies, will be free of charge at Homestead.  The berries, organically raised, are grown on the farm of Levi Lyle of Levi's Indigenous Fruit Enterprises located near Keota, Iowa.  At RAGBRAI, the 1,000 superfruit smoothies will be bottled so bicyclers can grab-n-go.  This event will be co-sponsored by Levi's Indigenous Fruit Enterprises and The Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture.  Additional support is provided by Iowa Valley Resource Conservation and Development, The Wahls Foundation, The Midwest Aronia Association, Ecoevolution.org, Keota Eagle Foods of Keota, and Henry's Village Market of Homestead.

For more information about this event, contact Levi Lyle by going to www.aronialife.com or call 319-961-1438.

WHAT: Iowa Aronia Berries a Fresh, Local, and Healthy Iowa Grown Food

WHEN: July 29th, 2011 - All day

WHERE:  Outside Henry's Village Market in Homestead,IA during RAGBRAI

With support from

• Levi's Indigenous Fruit Enterprises
• Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture
• Iowa Valley Resource Conservation and Development
• Wahls Foundation
• Midwest Aronia Association
• Ecoevolution.org
• Keota Eagle Foods of Keota
• Henry's Village Market of Homestead