ORLANDO, FL - What is the produce industry if not a mission for nutrition? While we all contribute to this collective goal on a daily basis, some organizations take this mission to new heights. Produce for Kids® (PFK) recently launched its second annual Mission for Nutrition promotion in celebration of National Nutrition Month®. PFK is aligning with health-conscious brands and more than 400 retail dietitians at 52 retailers across the U.S. and Canada to launch a digital and in-store program focused on the importance of meal planning to make healthy choices.
“This year, in addition to our partners making a donation to support Feeding America® programs that support families and children, retail dietitians are receiving a toolkit to execute a healthy food drive in stores to make their own shopper-driven donation,” said Trish James, Vice President at Produce for Kids. “We are excited to once again offer one retail dietitian a continued education scholarship for submitting their Mission for Nutrition in-store events, cooking classes, or demos to us during the month of March.”
A resource kit filled with health-focused items from Produce for Kids as well as Mission for Nutrition partners including, Crispy Green® Crispy Fruit, Eat Smart®, Litehouse®, Mission Produce, Nature Fresh Farms, Pero Family Farms®, and RealSweet® Sweet Onions, was shipped to more than 400 retail dietitians. Included in the kit is a mini magazine published by PFK featuring recipe inspiration and a shopping list. The magazine is expected to reach 22,000 shoppers over the course of the month, according to a press release.
Retail dietitians were encouraged to create a display, demo, or in-store event with the items provided in the Mission for Nutrition kit. Every retail dietitian participating received an “I’m a Dietitian. What’s Your Super Power?” tumbler to recognize their efforts in creating a healthier generation and one will receive a $1,000 continued education scholarship. The 2019 winner, Jennifer Klein, MS, RDN, who is a retail dietitian at the ShopRite of Manchester, New Jersey, utilized the kit components to host in-store recipe demonstrations and cooking classes throughout the month of March.
“Having served as a retail dietitian, I am excited to be helping to guide Produce for Kids on the in-store needs for this demographic,” said Julie Harrington, Retail Dietitian Contributor to Produce for Kids. “Mission for Nutrition is a great way to expose shoppers to health-conscious and community-conscious brands and set shoppers on a nutritionally-sound path.”
Weekly giveaways around meal planning took place on the Produce for Kids Instagram and program partners, retail dietitians, and Produce for Kids influencers also interacted with consumers during the #MissionForNutrition Twitter party on March 12. Additional marketing efforts around Mission for Nutrition included targeted e-newsletters, influencer outreach, and promotion on The Healthy Family Project by Produce for Kids podcast.
As we all continue fighting for our nutritional mission, stay right here with us at ANUK to hear the latest news in the industry.
