No Foolin’! Whole Grain Sampling Day is April 1, 2015
Delicious and Nutritious Whole Grain Samples Offered Nationwide
BOSTON, February 2, 2015 – We’re not fooling! Put Whole Grain Sampling Day, Wednesday, April 1, 2015, on your calendar right now so you don’t miss out on trying delicious whole grains like farro risotto, creamy oatmeal, crusty 100 percent whole wheat bread, quinoa salad or a fresh burrito with brown rice. On this single day, restaurants, supermarkets, cafeterias and even food trucks across the nation are offering a multitude of special promotions and low-cost or no-cost whole grain items and you won’t want to miss a bite.
Organized by Boston-based non-profit Oldways and its Whole Grains Council (WGC), last year’s celebration prompted millions of Americans to taste a whole lot of delicious, healthy whole grains and the momentum continues for this 4th annual event in 2015.
“From supermarkets to restaurants, there are plenty of places to sample and explore new whole grains on Whole Grain Sampling Day. We think one delicious taste will convince you to put more nutritious whole grains on your plate,” said Cynthia Harriman, Director of Food and Nutrition Strategies for the Whole Grains Council and Oldways. “And remember, gluten-free doesn’t mean grain free – even those following a gluten-free diet can enjoy grains such as amaranth, corn, millet, oats, quinoa, rice, sorghum, teff, and wild rice.”
Here is an early list of companies and organizations involved in Whole Grain Sampling Day and more are signing on every day:
- California State University Los Angeles
- Chadwick R-1 School District (Chadwick, MO)
- Compass Group
- Genghis Grill
- Healthy Dining Finder
- Hy-Vee Supermarkets
- Jenkins-White Elementary School (Augusta, GA)
- King Soopers/City Market
- National Restaurant Association
- Omaha Tribe of Nebraska
- Rubio’s
- ShopRite
- University of Florida Family Nutrition Program (select schools)
- Washington Pediatrics (Washington, NC)
- WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) — select offices
Studies show that switching to whole grains lowers the risk of many chronic diseases. While benefits are most pronounced for those consuming at least 3 servings daily, some studies show reduced risks from as little as one serving daily – so every whole grain helps. The latest health research presented during Oldways’ and the Whole Grains Council’s recent Whole Grains: Breaking Barriers Conference supported the importance of whole grain consumption and clarified myths around gluten-free and grain-free diets. Presentations can be viewed here.
The easiest way to identify whole grains, now mandatory in school meals programs and included in dietary guidelines, is to look for the Whole Grain Stamp, which guarantees a product has at least half a serving of whole grains.
The Whole Grain Stamp now appears on 10,000+ products including an increasing number that are natural, organic, Non-GMO Project Verified and labeled gluten free sold in 42 countries. Whole Grain stamped products now span 23 SPINS categories, with the top five sales category leaders driving $7.7B in dollar volume.
To take advantage of one of these special promotions and sampling events, visit the Whole Grain Sampling Day page of the WGC website where all activities and opportunities are being listed, as partners provide specifics.
Everyone is encouraged to join in the whole grain conversation on Twitter by using the hashtag #SampleWholeGrains.
Restaurants, supermarkets or other organizations interested in participating should contact Kelly Toups, WGC, at 617-896-4884 or kelly@oldwayspt.org. Learn more and download Sampling Day graphics, Tweets and other resources at: http://wholegrainscouncil.org/get-involved/whole-grain-sampling-day
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Please contact Rachel Greenstein (rachel@oldwayspt.org or 617-896-4888) for more information, including hi-res graphics of the Whole Grain Sampling Day logo or for interviews with WGC and Oldways program managers.
About Oldways and the Whole Grains Council
Oldways is a nonprofit food and nutrition education organization, with a mission to guide people to good health through heritage, using practical and positive programs grounded in science and tradition. The Whole Grains Council (WGC), an Oldways program, has been working since 2003 to increase consumption of whole grains for better health, and in 2005 introduced the Whole Grain Stamp, now used on more than 10,000 products in 42 countries. The WGC’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. You can learn more about both at http://www.oldwayspt.org and http://www.wholegrainscouncil.org.