ANAHEIM, CA - For the 8^th consecutive year, the Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH) will bring more than 20 influential retail dietitians to its 2019 Education2Action Retail Dietitian Event, hosted alongside PMA’s Fresh Summit, October 16-19 in Anaheim, California. As part of PBH’s commitment to bridging the gap among food retail, the produce industry, and most importantly the consumer, this event provides retail dietitians with access to the latest produce innovations, new research and insights as well as tools to inspire increased fruit and vegetable consumption in-store and online.

“Retailers have significant impact on the shopper path-to-purchase, and we know retail dietitians are natural promoters of produce, playing a critical role in moving fruits and vegetables at the point of sale,” says Annette Maggi, MS, RDN, LD, FAND, PBH’s Retail Accounts Manager. “The goal with this event is to provide retailers with education and networking experiences that inspire them to get creative with fruits and vegetables and take back actionable ideas to help drive produce purchases in their stores and in digital communications.”

PBH’s signature retail dietitian event continues to put “Education2Action” by offering an array of educational and experiential programs throughout four days. Education sessions offer timely topics like podcasting—a popular communications platform that can inspire shoppers with creative ways to enjoy fruits and vegetables. During an agriculture innovation session, retail dietitians will address shopper interests and become well-versed in the often-misinterpreted plant-to-plate story. Retail attendees will also get an up close look at agriculture through a field immersion experience sponsored by the California Strawberry Commission. PBH’s Powerful Produce Pairings program is the theme for delectable culinary experiences and tastings throughout the program, showcasing the taste, flavor and cravability of produce when creatively paired with other nutrient-rich foods from sponsors like Kellogg’s, California Walnuts and Chelan Fresh. The event wraps on Friday and Saturday with scheduled booth visits with produce industry leaders on the show floor.

“This year’s event is particularly exciting because it immerses a new group of retail dietitians into the world of produce with the very companies fueling the plant-forward movement. Uniting these two groups drives collaboration—and profits—with meaningful promotions that inspire life-changing habits and behavior change among today’s shoppers,” says Sharese Roper, PBH’s Member Engagement Director. “Our popular booth visits on the PMA show floor allow sponsors to unveil new products and share the most relevant messaging and insights that will directly influence shopper decisions. This is a win-win for sponsors and retail dietitians as they promote healthier lifestyle solutions for shoppers nationwide.”

“At PBH, we are focused on elevating fruit and vegetable consumption as a national priority. We know eating more fruits and vegetables is the single most important action Americans’ can take to live happier, healthier lives,” says Wendy Reinhardt Kapsak, MS, RD, President and CEO of PBH. “We can’t do this alone though; and that’s why we’re proud to be a collaborative partner on this event and others where we can connect influencers with the produce industry in order to make an impact. Together, through our Have A Plant™ Movement, we can truly instill life-long habits that include fruits and vegetables at every single eating occasion, every single day.”

2019 PBH Education2Action Retail Dietitian Event Participating Retailers:

• Big Y
• Coborn’s Inc.
• Compass Group
• Fareway Stores
• Fresh Thyme
• Giant
• Giant Martin
• Hannaford
• Harmon’s Grocery
• H-E-B
• Kroger
• K-VA-T
• Kwik Trip, Inc.
• Loblaws
• Natural Grocers
• Sobey’s
• Wakefern
• Wegman’s
• Weis Markets

2019 Education2Action Retail Dietitian Event Sponsors include:

• Avocados from Mexico
• Bayer Crop Science
• California Avocado Commission
• California Strawberry Commission
• California Walnut Board
• Chelan Fresh
• Chilean Fresh Fruit Association
• Dole Food Company
• Duda Farm Fresh Foods
• Frieda’s Specialty Produce
• Kellogg Company
• Marie’s/Ventura Foods
• Michigan Apple Committee
• Naturipe Farms
• Produce Marketing Association
• Robinson Fresh
• Stemilt Growers
• Sunkist Growers
• Sun-Maid Growers of California
• The Wonderful Company
• healthyAisles/Vestcom International

PBH staff will also be onsite at the PMA Fresh Summit to discuss member benefits and services with those interested in engaging for 2020 business success. For more information about PBH’s events and programming, contact [email protected] or fruitsandveggies.org/engage.

Produce for Better Health