New Research: Novel Approaches to Measuring and Promoting Fruit and Vegetable Consumption, 2017

Emerging research points to a relationship between fruit and vegetable consumption and emotional well-being. As professionals passionate about food and health, we need to find new ways to connect, inspire, and facilitate consumers toward incrementally increasing fruit and vegetable intake. Each year, Americans resolve to eat more fruit and vegetables. However, as time marches on, attention and energy toward continuing healthful behaviors begin to wane.

View this new research, as well as a recent webinar and other resources on this topic.

Role Model/Champion Program

In support of its mission to increase the consumption of fruit and vegetables, Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH) is pleased to announce the Fruits & Veggies—More Matters® Role Models and Champions, Supermarket Dietitian of the Year and Excellence Award Honorees for 2017. These recipients have demonstrated the greatest amount of support, in terms of breadth and depth, for PBH throughout 2017. 

The outstanding efforts of these organizations and individuals will be formally acknowledged at an awards luncheon on April 6, 2018 during PBH’s Annual Conference: The Consumer Connection in Scottsdale, Arizona, April 4-6.

2017 Industry (Non-Retail) Role Models:

• American Frozen Food Institute⁷
• Apio, Inc.²
• Avocados from Mexico²
• Barsotti Family Juice Company⁵
• Bayer⁵
• Black Gold Farms⁵
• California Avocado Commission⁶
• California Cling Peach Board⁵
• California Strawberry Commission⁵
• Campbell Soup Company⁵
• Can Manufacturers Institute⁴
• Canned Food Alliance⁶
• Chelan Fresh⁹
• Del Monte Foods, Inc.⁷
• Del Monte Fresh Produce⁸
• Domex Superfresh Growers⁸
• Duda Farm Fresh Foods⁷
• Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association⁴
• Giorgio Fresh Co.⁷
• Green Giant™ Fresh³
• Grimmway Farms⁵
• Juice Products Association⁶
• Market Fresh Produce, LLC³
• Monsanto Company⁷
• Monterey Mushrooms Inc³
• National Watermelon Promotion Board³
• Natural Delights⁵
• Naturipe Farms, LLC⁴
• Nestlé USA⁴
• Okanagan Specialty Fruits²
• Pacific Coast Producers⁷
• Pear Bureau Northwest⁷
• Pink Lady America²
• Potatoes USA⁴
• Produce Business Magazine²
• Produce Marketing Association⁶
• Red Sun Farms³
• Robinson Fresh⁹
• Ruiz Sales, Inc.⁶
• Sage Fruit Company⁵
• Seneca Foods Corporation⁷
• Southern Specialties³
• StarKist Co.²
• Stemilt Growers LLC¹⁰
• Subway⁴
• Sunkist Growers, Inc.⁶
• Sun-Maid Growers of California⁸
• Sysco/FreshPoint⁴
• Taylor Farms⁴
• The Morning Star Company²
• The Oppenheimer Group⁵
• The Packer⁶
• The Produce News²
• The Walt Disney Company⁷
• U.S. Apple Association⁶
• Ventura Foods⁴
• Welch’s⁷
• Wonderful Citrus⁵
• Zespri Kiwifruit ³

2017 Retail Role Models:

• K-VA-T Food Stores²
• Meijer, Inc.⁷
• Niemann’s Foods, Inc./County Market⁴
• Redner’s Markets, Inc.⁶
• Robins Air Force Base⁴
• Roundy’s Supermarkets, Inc.⁶
• Skogen’s Festival Foods⁵
• The Kroger Company⁶
• Weis Markets, Inc.⁵

2017 Industry (Non-Retail) Champions:

• AJ Trucco²
• Alliance for Food & Farming²
• Bejo Seeds, Inc.³
• Blue Book Services, Inc.¹
• Blue Marble Brands²
• Brothers-All-Natural³
• Chartwells K12²
• Chilean Fresh Fruit Association³
• Crown Poly, Inc.³
• Dave’s Specialty Imports Inc.²
• Dole Food Company¹
• Dole Packaged Foods, LLC¹
• Driscoll’s³
• Earthbound Farms²
• Josie’s Organics, Braga Fresh Family Farms²
• Mariani Nut Company²
• Mariani Packing Company, Inc.⁴
• McDonald’s Corporation⁴
• McEntire Produce, Inc.²
• Melissa's Produce, Inc.¹
• Michigan Apple Committee²
• Mushroom Council²
• Ocean Mist Farms¹
• Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc.²
• Seald Sweet/Greenyard³
• Tanimura & Antle¹
• Tree Top, Inc.¹
• Valley Fig Growers³
• Wish Farms¹

2017 Retail Champions:

• Hy-Vee, Inc.⁴
• Schnuck Markets, Inc.⁴
• United Supermarkets²
• Wakefern Food Corporation⁴

2017 Supermarket Dietitians of the Year:

• Johna Mailolli, Shoprite of Tallman/Inserra Supermarkets
• Ashley Martinez, Kroger
• Hillary Pride, Hannaford Supermarkets

2017 Ambassador Excellence Award Honorees:

• Dionysios Christou, Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A., Inc.¹
• Charlie Eagle, Southern Specialties²
• Angela Fraser, California Avocado Commission¹
• Matt Middleton, Ventura Foods²
• Roger Pepperl, Stemilt Growers LLC¹
• Richard Ruiz, Ruiz Sales, Inc.²
• Brian Threlfall, Giorgio Fresh Co.⁴
• Trish Zecca, Campbell Soup Company¹

Note: Superscript indicates the number of years the organization has been an award recipient at this particular level of recognition. 

February Social Media Posts

A great start to a healthy heart is to fill it with LOVE, FRUITS & VEGGIES! Spread the love with your fans by sharing our social media posts!

Thank You! New and Returning Donors

PBH is pleased to recognize the following companies who have contributed their support of the Foundation from January 9, 2018 through February 2, 2018.  Your generous contributions help support PBH’s many activities to increase fruit and vegetable consumption. To find out how you can support PBH, and grow your business in the process, contact the PBH Development Department.

Donors Who Increased Their Annual Contribution:

Mucci International Marketing Inc.
Pear Bureau Northwest
Silgan Containers

Returning Trustees ($10,000+ Contribution):

California Cling Peach Board
Dole Packaged Foods, LLC

Returning Donors:

American Mushroom Institute
Bushwick Commission Company, Inc.
California Canning Peach Association
Castellini Company
Chilean Fresh Fruit Association
Four Seasons Produce, Inc.
Grupo Vegetables el Rey L.L.C.
International Golden Foods, Inc.
Kingdom Fresh Produce, Inc.
Leitz Farms, L.L.C.
Red Gold, Inc.
Redner's Markets, Inc.
Yucatan Foods