Celebrate Whole Grains Month in September

September is whole grains month and every year the Whole Grains Council celebrates with special events and promotions all month. In 2011, for example, we spread the word about whole grains with our Whole Grain Stampede campaign and in 2012, we enjoyed the three events below.

September 2012 Events

Deal of the Day
Each morning, through the month of September, we revealed new deals from WGC Members on our interactive Deal of the Day Calender.  The deals were coupons, contests, giveaways and discounts or any number of goodies.

Recipe Contest 
EatingWell magazine sought out healthier, whole grain spins on well-loved, classic recipes.  Two Grand Prize Winners were selected to have their recipe and name featured in EatingWell and received a $1,000 prize package including Le Creuset cookware; Whole Grain Baking Cookbook and $250 gift certificate from King Arthur Flour; and rice cooker and gift basket from Lundberg Family Farms. 

Sweepstakes
In partnership with Woman's World magazine, we offered an online enter-to-win sweepstakes during September.  One random winner was drawn to receive a $1,000 gift card.

What can you do for Whole Grains Month?

Whole Grains Month is a great time for everyone to get on the whole grains bandwagon. Eating better is not an all-or-nothing choice; every little improvement you make in your food helps – in every month.

Post this list of "baby-steps" on your fridge, and try as many as possible this month:

• I'll buy three different loaves of whole-grain bread and taste all of them to see which one we like best.

• I'll serve bulgur or brown rice instead of potatoes with dinner one night this month.

• I'll look for the Whole Grain Stamp every time I shop.

• I'll try a new breakfast cereal with at least 16 grams of whole grain per serving.

• I'll buy some whole-wheat pasta and try it.

• I’ll visit the health food store or a major grocery and look at all the different grains in bins.

• I'll make my favorite whole grain recipe for a friend.

• On the weekend, I’ll try cooking a pot of steel-cut oatmeal.

• I’ll make pizza for the kids with whole wheat pita as the crust.

• I’ll make our favorite cookies with whole wheat flour next time instead of white.

• I’ll serve hamburgers with whole wheat buns this week.

• I'll try all of the WGC's Dozen Easy Family Whole Grain Recipes.

What else does the Whole Grains Council do?

Here are a few more ways the WGC celebrates Whole Grains Month every year:

Support for Health Professionals. Teachers, RDs, doctors, and nurses are helping us spread the word about the health benefits of whole grains. And we're supporting them with educational materials, "Just Ask for Whole Grains" buttons and stickers, and posters, through our "Just Ask for Whole Grains" campaign. If you're an educator, order your free educational materials ahead of time, so you'll be ready for Whole Grains Month.

Sampling and Coupons. Members of the Whole Grains Council offer special consumer promotions, including discount coupons, new product introductions and instore sampling.

The Whole Grains Store Tour. We've designed a great resource for supermarkets – or community health professionals – who want to introduce the public to whole grains. Click here to learn more about this kit, which can be downloaded from the Resources section of this website. It's now available in both English and Spanish.

The Whole Grains Challenge. Every year we run a Whole Grains Challenge around the time of Whole Grains Month (in October, to be exact). In 2012, the Challenge is open to all schools that offer at least one whole grain choice at all times, day in and day out. You can learn more about this year's Whole Grains Challenge by clicking here.