WGC Plans for 2012
The Whole Grains Council’s many initiatives help consumers to find whole grain foods and understand their health benefits; help manufacturers and restaurants to create delicious whole grain foods; and help the media to write accurate, compelling stories about whole grains. The table below outlines some of the major projects we plan to undertake in 2012 to achieve these goals.
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Foodservice January 2012 |
Schools and other foodservice operations have told us they have a great need for more tried-and-tested, foodservice-scale whole grain recipes. As part of this year's WG Challenge, we requested entrants to share their favorite recipe with us, and we got some great ones. Our first installment of this collection will be out at the end of January. |
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Whole Grain Sampling Day April 4, 2012 |
As part of our efforts to encourage more whole grains in foodservice, restaurants and homes everywhere, we'll be holding the first-ever Whole Grain Sampling day on April 4, 2012. Major foodservice operators, including Compass (serving millions of Americans daily), are taking part, and we're now talking to supermarkets and manufacturers to make sure there are opportunities to try whole grains everywhere on April 4. For more details, contact Cynthia Harriman (617-896-4820 or cynthia@oldwayspt.org). |
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Mediterranean Month |
Whole grains are a key component of the healthy Mediterranean Diet, which is the focus of the Mediterranean Foods Alliance, a sister program of the WGC. WGC members can take advantage of the synergies between all of Oldways' Health through Heritage programs. Let's brainstorm! |
| Whole Grains Month September 2012 |
Every September is Whole Grains Month. Following up on the great success of 2011's Whole Grains Stampede Sweepstakes, we'll be planning another blockbuster consumer attention-getter, while also stepping up our usual efforts to reach health professionals and the media. |
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Whole Grains on Every Plate! Oct. 17-19, 2012 |
Our next conference will be "Whole Grains on Every Plate," scheduled for October 17-19, 2012, in San Antonio. This conference will address ways to remove the barriers to affordability and availability of whole grains everywhere that people eat. Stay tuned on our conference page, as plans develop. |
| Whole Grains Challenge October 2012 |
We'll hold our 6th Annual foodservice recognition event, to show the great progress that whole grains have made in penetrating restaurants, cafeterias and all places where people eat away from home. |
| Sampling & Coupons ongoing |
Did you know that we keep a "Sampling List" of companies that want to be informed whenever we're asked for product samples? When a school, health group, or some other organization asks us if we can help them get samples, we email all the WGC member companies on the Sampling List. Each company can then decide whether that particular opportunity fits their marketing needs, or whether to pass on it. Your call! Email Chrisanne Grise if you'd like to be added to the list. We also keep coupons on hand for groups that request them. If you'd like us to help you get the word about your healthy whole grain products, send us some coupons. |
| and More! |
In addition to all of the programs above, 2012 will also see the WGC... • Educating consumers, media, and manufacturers about any new updated recommendations on whole grains; |