Produce for Better Health Foundation Brings Chicago-Based Food and Nutrition Influencers to the United Fresh Produce Association Trade Show Floor

CONTACT:

Katie Toulouse, Communications Director
Produce for Better Health Foundation
[email protected]
412-848-1644

June 7, 2019 – As part of its influencer strategy and commitment to doubling its reach to connect with consumers, the Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH) is collaborating with United Fresh Produce Association to bring 10 influencers to the trade show floor on Tuesday, June 11^th. The group consists of retail and foodservice dietitians, influential food bloggers, renowned media RDs, nutrition consultants, and leaders from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the largest organization of food and nutrition professionals in the world.

“We wanted to leverage the opportunity while we were in Chicago to not only share our new Have A Plant™ movement with key influencers, but also introduce them to the fresh produce industry. For many, this will be their first time experiencing the United Fresh Expo and connecting with the industry directly.” says Wendy Reinhardt Kapsak, President and CEO of PBH. “Fruits and vegetables are at the center of dietitians’ plates, but to experience the show floor and make real-life connections can truly ignite powerful partnerships that can engage consumers in a meaningful way.”

The group consists of the following individuals:

Bloomin’ Brands – Maria Caranfa, RD LD, Foodservice Registered Dietitian
Christine Palumbo Nutrition – Christine Palumbo, MBA, RDN, FAND
FEED Nutrition Consulting – Kristin Houts, MS, RD, LDN
Fresh Thyme – Kerry Clifford, MS, RD, LDN, Retail Registered Dietitian
Fresh Thyme – Meghan Sedivy, RD, LDN, Retail Registered Dietitian
Hispanic Food Communications, Inc. – Sylvia Klinger, DBA, MS, RD
Nutrition Happens – May Zhu, MBA, RD, LDN
On Target Living – Kristen Johnson Brogan, RD, LDN, ACE-PT
Once Upon A Pumpkin – Maggie Michalczyk, RDN
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics – Mary Beth Whalen
Victoria Shanta Retelny – Vicki Shanta Retelny, RDN

“We’re excited this community of PBH-assembled, food and nutrition influencers is looking to contribute to the food dialogue and further expand their knowledge of the produce industry through United Fresh,” said Mary Coppola, Vice President, Marketing and Communications, United Fresh Produce Association. “These are the types of collaborations that make the United Fresh show even stronger and relevant to the produce industry, and we appreciate PBH hosting this important group.”

“Hosting influencers at select industry events and trade shows is a key element of PBH’s events and education platform,” says Sharese Roper, Events and Education Manager for PBH. “We successfully continue to extend and enhance the industry’s investment in trade shows. For example, we have hosted highly-coveted retail dietitians at the Produce Marketing Association’s Fresh Summit Convention & Expo for close to a decade. Nearly every influencer who attends one or more PBH events requests a future invitation.”

PBH continues to grow their events platform to create omni-channel educational experiences that address the needs of industry members and influencers, while engaging consumers where it matters most. The newest addition to their event portfolio is the PBH’s Fresh Concepts Foodservice Event, delivering 8-10 foodservice leaders and culinary trendsetters to PMA’s Foodservice Conference and Expo. In 2020, their network of elite influencers will be ever-present and accessible through new, reimagined partnerships and customized event services.

“We pride ourselves on our best-in-class concierge style service and have enhanced the ways to strategically connect the produce industry with elite influencers through programs that ignite meaningful, long-lasting connections,” says Reinhardt Kapsak.

PBH regularly attends the following industry shows and meetings,* and is open to collaborative partnerships for an exclusive influencer event and/or amplification opportunity:

United Fresh Foundation FreshStart
United Fresh BrandStorm™
SEPC Southern Exposure
Viva Fresh Expo
New England Organic Produce Council Conference
United Fresh Convention & Expo
IDEA World®
PMA Foodservice Conference & Expo
SEPC Southern Innovations Organics & Foodservice Expo
United Fresh Washington Policy Conference
NEPC Annual Produce, Floral & Foodservice Expo
Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association Annual Convention
PMA Fresh Summit International Convention & Expo
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics FNCE®
Western Growers Annual Meeting
The New York Produce Show and Conference

*Not an all-inclusive list.

For more information about how to work with PBH on influencer engagement, events, retail and foodservice programs as well as customized digital and social media content opportunities, view the new 2020 Member Opportunities here.

About the Produce for Better Health Foundation

Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH), a nonprofit 501(c)(3), is the only national organization dedicated to helping consumers live happier, healthy lives by eating more fruits and vegetables, including fresh, frozen, canned, dried and 100% juice, every single day.

Since 1991, PBH has invested decades into developing trended insights on attitudes toward all forms of fruit and vegetable consumption, in addition to campaigns and partnerships with government, food industry stakeholders, health professionals and other thought leaders to collaborate, facilitate and advocate for increased intake. Campaigns included first, the 5-A-Day program, and then, the Fruits & Veggies—More Matters public health initiative. While five fruits and vegetables each day is great advice, and more will always matter, PBH’s new behavior-based call-to-action is Have A Plant™.

To learn more, visit www.fruitsandveggies.org.

Follow us on Facebook @fruitsandveggies; on Twitter @fruitsveggies; on Instagram @fruitsandveggies; on Pinterest @fruits_veggies; and on LinkedIn at Produce for Better Health Foundation.