Contest Marks Whole Grains Month

In support of Whole Grains Month in September, the Whole Grains Council (WGC) has rolled out the “Whole Grains: Chat ‘Em Up” contest, which encourages consumers to tell how they’re celebrating the occasion, in exchange for coupons and having their names placed the drawing for the organization’s Gift Basket grand prize.

“Every tidal wave is made up of individual water droplets,” noted Cynthia Harriman, director of food and nutrition strategies for WGC and Boston-based Oldways, its parent organization. “When enough people take action and spread the word about whole grains, all at the same time, good things happen.”

According to the council, which has been promoting whole grains for better health since 2003, interest in whole grains is higher than ever before: Supermarket data show that for the first time, sales of whole wheat bread have outpaced those of white bread in stores, and mainstream retailers now offer such formerly exotic grains as quinoa and spelt.

Details of the contest are on the WGC website, where consumers can also download an entry form on which they can describe their Whole Grains Month efforts. Attune Foods, Barilla, Bob’s Red Mill, Dr Kracker, Frontier Soups, HomeFree, Olde Hearth Bagels, Red River Cereal and Uncle Ben’s have donated coupons for the contest.

In addition to WGC’s activities, many food companies are planning special promotions throughout September in support of Whole Grains Month.