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Produce For Better Health Foundation Launches A Plant-Packed Party For National Fruits & Veggies Month With Have A Plant® Nation Campaign

Innovative Consumer Movement Elevates Low Fruit & Veggie Intake as National Priority, Celebrating How Produce Promotes Happier, Healthier Lives

August 31, 2020 – The Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH) is excited to announce the kickoff of its second annual National Fruits & Veggies Month (NFVM) campaign, a month-long celebration of Americans’ favorite plant foods and all the amazing flavors and good feelings that come along with them. As our country navigates these complex and uncertain times, NFVM offers Americans a simple reason to come together: having fun with fruits and veggies for happier, healthier lives. And, with nine out of 10 Americans not eating enough fruits and vegetables, eating more plant-powered meals needs to be elevated to a national priority.

This year’s NFVM theme, Have A Plant® Nation, is poised to make PBH’s Have A Plant® Movement bigger than ever, reaching even more Americans across the country with all kinds of fruit and veggie inspiration. Have A Plant® Nation will highlight how, at a time when people are craving togetherness and unity, fruit- and veggie-filled meals can be the catalyst for: inspiring greater family connections; celebrating the diverse ways we uniquely enjoy foods across the nation; improving public health for all Americans; and elevating how food industry stakeholders and influencers have come together to advocate for more fruits and veggies at every meal and snack occasion, for every person – and much more!

“National Fruits & Veggies Month is all about shining a spotlight on fruits and vegetables through innovative and engaging digital and social activities for consumers, and showing how they can play a starring role in creating nutritious, delicious and balanced meals and snacks,” says Wendy Reinhardt Kapsak, MS, RDN, President and CEO of PBH. “The physical and mental effects of Americans’ chronically low fruit and vegetable consumption have been further illuminated during this pandemic. PBH’s dynamic new campaign, Have A Plant® Nation, is rallying all Americans to eat and enjoy more plant-packed meals – in every color, shape and form – by recognizing the power of plants to support health; boost mood; and foster the connections that many currently crave.”

The month-long plant-packed party will highlight four key themes that will be woven into PBH’s digital ecosystem – including its Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn channels, as well as on www.fruitsandveggies.org, starting today, August 31st! PBH will also partner with its superstar network of more than 20 influencers – the Fruit and Vegetable Ambassadors in Action (FVAA) – to spread the Have A Plant® love across the country through social media takeovers, original video content and creative infographics and resources, on their platforms and on PBH’s social channels.

Here’s a preview of the key themes and activities consumers can engage with on PBH’s social channels throughout September:

  • Kick off National Fruits & Veggies Month by participating in PBH’s Have A Plant® Tweet Chat with The Lunchbox Dad, Beau Coffron: Engage with PBH followers through a fun tweet chat that highlights the importance of family meals, along with fun tips and tricks to enjoy more plant-packed foods each and every day to fuel health and happiness. Join on Twitter TOMORROW, September 1st, at 3:00 p.m. ET @fruits_veggies. #haveaplantchat #NFVM2020
  • Connect Over Fruit and Veggie-Filled Family Meals: Through a partnership with the FMI Foundation’s Family Meals Movement, PBH will help showcase how families can connect through mealtime. Research shows a correlation between more family meals and increased fruit and veggie consumption, so Have A Plant® and Have a Family Meal! #haveaplant #NFVM2020 #familymealsmovement
  • Celebrate Plants in Every Color, Shape and Form: There’s a whole world of produce to explore. Different fruits, veggies and plant-filled dishes can evoke special memories; speak to our unique backgrounds; and remind us of our favorite hometown flavors. Let’s celebrate our personal faves – and inspire friends to Have A Plant® and try new forms and flavors too! #haveaplant #NFVM2020 #haveaplantpledge
  • Improve Health and Well-being with Fruits & Veggies: Whether canned, dried, fresh, frozen or 100% juice, all fruits and veggies play a role in improving health and happiness. NFVM is the perfect time to rally the nation around the mind and body benefits from nature’s original plant foods. Have A Plant® for happier, healthier lives! #haveaplant #NFVM2020 #haveaplantpledge
  • Better Together: Pair Produce for Happier, Healthier Lives: Fruit and veggie advocates – from produce industry stakeholders as well as foodservice establishments and retailers to health professionals, chefs and lifestyle bloggers – are championing ways to combine fruits and veggies with other nutritious foods for happier, healthier lives. PBH will introduce new guests at the table and showcase how balanced, wholesome meals – featuring produce with other nutrient-rich foods like beef, dairy and whole grains – come together to fuel health and happiness. Have A Plant® with THAT! #NFVM2020 #haveaplantwithdairy #unitedontheplate

Here are a few simple ways Americans can join the Have A Plant® Movement:

  • Spread the Fruit and Veggie Love on Social Media: Encourage family, friends, colleagues and your community to get involved. Include the hashtag, #haveaplant.
  • Take the Have A Plant® Pledge: Who says resolutions for healthier, happier lives have to wait until January? This year, commit to adding one more fruit or vegetable to your routine every day throughout NFVM. Take the Have A Plant® Pledge and download the graphic to share on your social media channels using #haveaplantpledge.
  • Rock the Swag: We upped our game on the Have A Plant® gear front – from a variety of tops, to hats and masks – so you can rep fruits and veggies as you work from home, stay active, meal prep and shop in the grocery store! Have A Plant® and donate today! Shop now!

Food industry stakeholders and community partners can join PBH – and plant-passionate advocates everywhere – in extending the Have A Plant® Movement nationwide for FREE and can download the National Fruits and Veggies Month Toolkit  available at www.fruitsandveggies.org/nfvm-toolkit.