The third annual Whole Grain Sampling Day will be held Wednesday, April 2, and restaurants, foodservice, food trucks, supermarkets and manufacturers are invited to participate by offering special promotions and low- or no-cost whole grain items to their patrons on that day.
Organized by Boston-based nonprofit Oldways and its Whole Grains Council (WGC), last year’s celebration prompted millions of Americans to taste a whole lot of whole grains, and the momentum continues in 2014.
“Most people only need to try a new whole grain to realize they like it,” said Cynthia Harriman, director of food and nutrition strategies for the WGC and Oldways. “This means that the best way to increase whole grain consumption and nudge people to better health is to find ways to help everyone try more whole grains. We invite the entire food industry to celebrate Whole Grain Sampling Day with us this year.”
In addition to helping customers discover healthy whole grains, Oldways says businesses benefit by seeing increased sales and awareness from the WGC’s promotional efforts. Among the first partners signed up to participate in this year’s event are McDonald’s, Compass Group, Barilla, Healthy Dining Finder and the American Institute of Cancer Research; past partners have included Arby’s, several supermarket chains, Cooking Light magazine and many manufacturers. With no fees, no contract ad nearly no rules—virtually anything goes, as long as it celebrates whole grains—it’s easy to join in. Ideas include:
• Food trucks: Acting as mobile sampling vehicles, food trucks from across the country are signing on to take part by highlighting whole grain items already on the menu from buckwheat noodles to whole grain breads, sampling new whole grain options, providing BOGO offers and swapping out refined grain choices for whole grain.
• Restaurants and foodservice: Restaurants or foodservice operations can offer a free dessert or beverage when a guest purchases a dish with whole grains, a cooking demo with free samples, coupons and more.
• Supermarkets: Many supermarket dietitians are already planning Whole Grain Sampling Day festivities, including cooking demos, in-store sampling, coupons, scheduling store tours to highlight whole grains, TV appearances and more. Registered dietitians can sign up for the Oldways Nutrition Exchange and download a free Whole Grain Sampling Day Tool Kit for ideas/resources.
• Manufacturers: Food companies can take advantage of WGC’s Matchmaking Services, which connect manufacturers with supermarket partners for sampling and other events, offer special coupons, contribute whole grain products to WGC’s blogger ambassador gift packs, run a sweepstakes or giveaway, introduce a new product or create a special event (such as giving out granola bars at a park or delivering bread to a food pantry).
To spread the word about all the worldwide sampling opportunities, the WGC is listing all participants on its website starting in early February and broadcasting news to its newsletter subscribers and social media contacts. Additionally, the organization is enlisting the help of popular bloggers and other consumer press to get the word out about Sampling Day partners’ diverse activities.
To participate or for more information, contact WGC’s Danita Boyce at 617-896-4880 or [email protected].
