Whole Grains Month may be over for this year, but whole grains momentum can’t be stopped! This morning I turned my calendar page from September to October, waved goodbye to another fantastic month of whole grain exploration, and happily welcomed the start of this year’s Whole Grains Challenge!

That’s right, the online entry form for our third annual foodservice competition is now open! From now until Friday November 5, our online entry form is officially open and ready to accept entries in this year’s Challenge.

So exciting! I can’t wait to read about all about the various whole grain offerings appearing on menus throughout the month of October, or to read about the various promotional efforts dining establishments may undertake as part of their Challenge endeavors. Being a part of the WGC during the Whole Grains Challenge is, in a small way, similar to window shopping for new fall fashion. Instead of oooo-ing over the latest handbags, or eyeing that snuggly sweatter that pairs perfectly with those “must have” boots, we wonder who will wow us this year and where our winning entries will come from. Which of the thousands of healthcare locations across the nation will win the Healthcare category? Who will win in the Other category, the perennial “wild card,” or what about College / University? Okay, so maybe it’s less like shopping for fall fashion and more like the Golden Globes – only with medals and amazing whole grain prizes instead of clunky statues and awkward acceptance speeches.

Of course, the consumer side of me is excited too. Which of my favorite quick serve restaurants will participate? The next time I head out to dinner at a local family or fine dining restaurant, will they be promoting whole grains as part of their entry in this year’s Challenge? What about the schools in my area, or the schools attended by my friend’s children? Boston will soon be flooded by exhibitors and attendees for this year’s Expo East — how many “host” hotels will vie for top prize in the Lodging / Catering category?

Who knows! Stay tuned, visit our main Challenge page to learn all about this special program, and if you’re a foodservice outlet offering at least one serving of whole grains every day during the month of October, enter the Challenge today, or any day from now until Friday, November 5. We’ll announce our 2010 winners in late November — maybe you’ll be one of them!  (Kara)