The United States Potato Board (USPB) was awarded the Fruits & Veggies—More Matters Role Model award March 18 in Scottsdale, Ariz., by the Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH). It is a distinctive honor which recognizes non-retail organizations whose efforts strive to increase fruit and vegetable consumption, providing a significant step toward improving the health of America.
“We’re extremely proud and appreciative of the efforts contributed by all these Role Models and Champions to remind consumers that increasing fruit and vegetable consumption is important through use of the Fruits & Veggies—More Matters logo and messaging,” said Elizabeth Pivonka, Ph.D., R.D., president and CEO of PBH.
This year, the activities which earned the USPB recognition included linking to www.FruitsAndVeggiesMoreMatters.org website; speaking about Fruits & Veggies—More Matters during meetings and presentations; and participating actively in this year’s “Half Your Plate” program, which encourages consumers to fill half their plate with fruits and vegetables. This year there was increased emphasis on cross-promoting the 2012 USPB sponsored plates in social media. Additionally, the USPB created a new plate: scalloped potatoes and chicken with fennel.
“We are delighted to be a part of a program that motivates consumers to rebalance their plates with more fruits and vegetables,” said Meredith Myers, USPB manager of public relations. “Plans are already in place for working hand in hand with PBH to inspire new, healthy ideas about potatoes throughout the next year.”
Since 1991, PBH has worked to motivate people to eat more fruits and vegetables to improve public health. The USPB is proud to have supported their efforts for more than a decade and applauds PBH’s ongoing success with public health initiatives—first with the “5 A Day” program and now with the “Fruits & Veggies—More Matters” campaign.