Meet Fruits & Veggies – More Matters

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During last week’s tour of Washington, DC, it was a true pleasure to spend time with the Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH).  In terms of our industry’s most influential organizations & leaders – they are one of the biggies & also one of the first to embrace and provide industry guidance for marketing initiatives & education directed towards the consumer.  Indy Fruit supports PBH – we are proud donors to this Foundation!

As a consumer, you likely know PBH through its consumer health initiative, Fruits & Veggies More Matters®.  Perhaps you have seen the More Matters logo here on my website, or on your bag of carrots, or on a poster at your doctor’s office.  Their focus is simple: “helping Americans increase fruit & vegetable consumption for better health.”

The focus & messaging of PBH is something that has long impacted me as a consumer!  Remember the “5-A-Day” health initiative?  This initiative was replaced in 2007 with More Matters.  The messaging evolved similar to how the USDA’s consumer messaging has evolved from MyPyramid to MyPlate.  The point in both the pre- and post-2007 health initiative is really the same… just a new & improved delivery of the “eat lots of fruits & veggies” messaging!

And here’s a great story for you… when I was trying to loose the pregnancy weight after my oldest son Joe was born in 2007, I tried every diet in the book, even joined a few weight loss clubs.  Finally, I thought “I’ll try the 5-a-day diet.”  First, pretty sure there was no “5-a-day diet” but that’s a great testimony as to how powerful the messaging from PBH’s health initiatives are to us consumers.  Second, I vowed to eat 4 servings of veggies a day & 1 piece of fruit & within 4 weeks that stubborn 10lbs was off and my pre-baby jeans were on 🙂  When it comes to fruits & veggies – it’s real simple, Produce Moms… More Matters!

It was a true honor to have dinner with Sharese & Kristen from Produce for Better Health Foundation last week.  Thank you to PBH for supporting my efforts as The Produce Mom!
It was a true honor to have dinner with Sharese & Kristen from Produce for Better Health Foundation last week. Thank you to PBH for supporting my efforts as The Produce Mom!

Another thing I love about PBH is how realistic their approach is to marketing fruits and veggies to consumers.  They embrace and encourage consumers to count all forms: fresh, frozen, canned, dried & 100% juice.  All forms count & MORE MATTERS.  This means a lot to me & I echo this messaging often, especially when I speak to fellow moms about the choices they are making for their family.  It’s unrealistic to say or think that you will only serve fresh produce to your family.  I consume fruits & veggies of the frozen, dried, canned or juice form on a daily basis.  I do try to always choose fresh, but I don’t hesitate to eat any of the other forms.  And neither should you!

BOTTOM LINE = When you are choosing fruits & vegetables you are making an excellent choice for yourself & for your family.

It’s exciting to have PBH’s interest and support as we work towards expanding The Produce Mom & broadening the Find Your Favorite program.  I’d like you to check out my favorite offerings of Fruits & Veggies More Matters:

  • FOOD CHAMPS this is a fun, educational & interactive website for children.  I love the age-targeted games.  My son and I played one tonight, actually!
  • NUTRITION DATABASE this is my #1 go-to for learning more about the vitamins, minerals, calories and other nutritional offerings of fruits & veggies.
  • RECIPES via PINTEREST tons of recipes just waiting for you to add to your recipe board on Pinterest!  You will love the organization of their page!
  • INDUSTRY & DIETICIAN CONNECTIONS via TWITTER they have an army of dieticians & fruit and veggie brands chatting with them on twitter.  It’s a very quick/easy-access educational opportunity for us consumers.  THANK YOU to Fruits & Veggies More Matters on offering a highly interactive social media platform.  They do a great job answering questions & pushing out information that supports consumer inquiry & demand.  Don’t miss their monthly chats!  1st Wednesday of the Month at 4pmEST!
  • FRUIT & VEGETABLE PROMO ITEMS via CATALOG from More Matters branded kitchen tools to cafeteria posters to music discs…  There is something for everyone & everything in their catalog encourages us to eat more fruits & veggies!

Thank you to PBH Foundation for taking time to meet with me during my recent trip to Washington, DC.  I appreciate your guidance and contribution to this industry.  I look forward to working closer with team More Matters!

“Leading the Way to Healthy Eating…”
xoxo Produce Mom

About Lori

Lori Taylor is the Founder & CEO of The Produce Moms. For ten years she sold fresh produce to over 300 grocery stores throughout the United States, and today she is fully focused on working with the produce supply chain, media, and government to increase fresh produce access & consumption in the US and around the globe. Connect with Lori on LinkedIn.

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