Here at the Whole Grains Council, we are always so excited to hear that more and more people are incorporating whole grains into their diets. When we hear about young people taking the whole grain cause into their own hands and encouraging their peers to eat whole grains… well, we’re just over the moon! 

An enthusiastic group of high schoolers in West Seattle are doing just that and their story reminds us that our fellow whole grain crusaders are out there making a difference every day. The four students – Tin Vo, Annalisa Urbino, Renée McMinn, and Megan Duong – began their whole grain campaign as part of a competition for the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, setting out with a goal to encourage “more families to choose whole grain wheat bread as their main bread choice.” 

We first heard about this project when Megan Duong emailed the Whole Grains Council a few weeks ago, asking for help.  Megan told us her eyes were opened when she did an informal survey of ten friends on their preference for whole wheat bread or white, and learned that six preferred white bread.  Then she learned the power of education. “After I told them just one fact that simply switching from white to whole wheat bread can lower heart disease risk by 20 percent, according to research from the University of Washington reported in the April 2, 2003, most were shocked.  [Later] five of the six teens that first said they would rather eat white bread chose to eat whole grain wheat bread after finding out it was healthier.”

“I think if we spread the fact that it is healthier to eat whole grain wheat bread, many kids would make the switch.  If we get enough kids to eat more wheat bread, it could really open the doorway to making healthier choices at the dinner table,” Megan continued, spurring us to action. We sent her a pack of 100 “Just Ask for Whole Grains” buttons to wear and share with their friends, and copies of our “Restaurant Report Card” which we created for the WGC’s 2007 “Just Ask for Whole Grains” campaign.

The Restaurant Report Cards were a good fit since, in addition to getting whole grains on every plate in the home, the students say their “main goal is to overcome childhood obesity through promoting whole grain wheat bread in local restaurants.” They’re working on encouraging their own age group and younger generations, so they will be able to make healthy choices in the future.  

Duong and her classmates “are very determined and aren’t willing to give up! We are going to keep fighting to encourage families, children, and teens to live healthier lifestyles…we really want to make a difference, but we can’t do it alone!” Not only are we so excited to hear this wonderful story but we are looking forward to working with this inspiring group of whole grain rock stars to bring whole grains to every pantry, plate and tummy!”

Are you crusading for whole grains in your neighborhood? We can help! Contact me (Mallory@oldwayspt.org) if you need educational materials to support your cause. (Mallory)