Whole Grains Month is an annual initiative designed to introduce consumers to the health benefits and great taste of whole grains. This year it coincides with the kickoff of a four-month period when the U.S. government will be focusing its nutrition messages largely on whole grains.
“More than half of all shoppers have now switched to buying only whole wheat or whole grain bread,” said Cynthia Harriman, Director of Food and Nutrition Strategies for the Whole Grains Council and Oldways. “Now we want to encourage that other 50% to give whole grains a try by making small changes – trying whole grain pasta or cooking a pot of oatmeal -- to discover just how easy to prepare and delicious they can be.”
To encourage this, the WGC has created the Whole Grain Deal of the Day, offering 30 days of whole grain surprises on the WGC’s web site. Each morning in September, another door of the online calendar will open, revealing a link to a contest, a coupon, a giveaway, or any number of whole grain goodies.
Deals and offers are courtesy of Whole Grains Council members including Attune, Barilla, Bob’s Red Mill, Canyon Bakehouse, Dr. Kracker, Fabe’s Natural Products, Franz Bakery, Freekehlicious, Frontier Soups, Gluvana, Goose Valley Natural Products, Home Free, Indian Harvest, Jovial, Kashi, King Arthur Flour, Lundberg Family Farms, Marion’s Smart Delights, Mary’s Gone Crackers, Mestemacher, Naked Pizza Nature’s Own, Pamela’s Products, Popsalot, Quaker, Roman Meal, Upfront Foods, and Wheat Montana.
In addition to the Deal of the Day, the WGC is partnering with EatingWell magazine to introduce the Whole Grain Makeover Contest. The editors of the popular magazine are on a coast-to-coast search for a healthier, whole grain spin on well-loved, classic recipes. Two Grand Prize Winners will have their recipe and name featured in EatingWell and receive a $1,000 prize package including:
• Le Creuset cast-iron cookware set, plus kitchen accessories from Edgeware Products and Full Circle Home
• Whole Grain Baking cookbook and $250 gift card from King Arthur Flour
• Rice cooker and gift basket from Lundberg Family Farms®
To enter, home cooks must give one of their favorite recipes a whole grains makeover using King Arthur White Whole Wheat Flour or Lundberg Family Farms Brown Rice. Visit http://www.eatingwell.com/go/wholegrains to enter and submit recipe(s), from August 20 to October 22, 2012.
Studies show that eating whole grains lowers the risk of many chronic diseases, including heart disease and diabetes, with some studies showing reduced risks from as little as one serving daily. Other benefits include reduced risk of asthma, healthier blood pressure levels, and better weight control.
Everyone is also encouraged to join in the conversation on Twitter. Share your recipes and thoughts about whole grains by using the hashtag #WholeGrainsMonth.
Please contact Rachel Greenstein (rachel@oldwayspt.org or 617-896-4888) for more information, including hi-res graphics, interviews with WGC and Oldways program managers, or recipes.
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 7,200 products in 35 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.wholegrainscouncilorg.
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