PBH Lauds Industry Role Models, Champions

1/22/2013

Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH) has named 48 non-retail companies within the fruit and vegetable industry as Fruits & Veggies-More Matters Role Models and Champions for 2012 in recognition of their support for the national public health campaign and for PBH.

A total of 34 companies earned Role Model status (the top level of recognition) and 14 achieved Champion status, double the number from 2011.

The industry Role Models are:
* American Frozen Food Institute
* Barsotti Juice Co.
* Bayer CropScience
* Blue Book Services
* California Avocado Commission
* Canned Food Alliance
* C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc.
* Chelan Fresh Marketing
* Del Monte Foods
* Del Monte Fresh Produce
* Dole Food Company
* Domex Superfresh Growers
* Duda Farm Fresh Foods
* Giorgio Fresh Mushrooms
* Kellogg Company
* Market Fresh Produce, LLC
* McDonald’s Corp.
* Melissa’s
* Monsanto Vegetable Seeds
* Mushroom Council
* Pacific Coast Producers
* Pear Bureau Northwest
* Produce Marketing Association
* Rainier Fruit Co., Inc.
* Ruiz Sales
* Seneca Foods Corp.
* Stemilt Growers, Inc.
* Sunkist Growers
* Sun-Maid Growers of California
* Taylor Farms
* The Packer
* The Walt Disney Co.
* Wawona Frozen Foods
* Wholly Guacamole

PBH bestowed special recognition to Stemilt Growers, Inc. which was the first-ever Industry Role Model and has earned the recognition status for five consecutive years, as well as the companies who earned Role Model status for the first time in 2012:

* Bayer Cropscience
* California Avocado Commission
* Canned Food Alliance
* Market Fresh Produce, LLC
* Melissa’s
* Ruiz Sales
* Sunkist Growers
* Taylor Farms
* The Packer
* Wawona Frozen Foods
* Wholly Guacamole

C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc., Chelan Fresh Marketing, and Rainier Fruit Co., Inc. earned Role Model status for the fourth time in 2012, and the following companies earned the status for the third time:

* Del Monte Fresh Produce
* Domex Superfresh Growers
* Duda Farm Fresh Foods
* McDonald’s Corporation
* Produce Marketing Association
* Seneca Foods Corporation
* Sun-Maid Growers of California

Several industry companies earned Role Model status for the 2nd time in 2012:

* American Frozen Food Institute
* Barsotti Juice Co.
* Blue Book Services
* Del Monte Foods
* Dole Food Company
* Giorgio Fresh Mushrooms
* The Kellogg Company
* Monsanto Vegetable Seeds
* The Mushroom Council
* Pacific Coast Producers
* Pear Bureau Northwest
* The Walt Disney Company

Their combined support encompassed:

Placing Fruits & Veggies-More Matters logo on packaging, bins, poly bags and totes
Linking to the FruitsAndVeggiesMoreMatters.org website
Speaking about Fruits & Veggies-More Matters during meetings and presentations
Including Fruits & Veggies-More Matters messaging and logo in employee newsletters and health focused programs, in advertising and PR efforts, in marketing and collateral materials, and in wellness programs and community outreach efforts
Participating as a PBH board of trustees member
Serving on PBH’s executive committee
Serving on PBH board-level committees and task forces
Attending annual board meeting and dinner/auction
The industry Champions for 2012 are:

* Bard Valley Date Mejool
* Brothers International
* California Strawberry Commission
* GA Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association
* Grimmway Farms
* HMC Farms
* Lipman Produce
* Mariani Packaging Co.
* Oppenheimer Group
* Phillips Mushrooms
* Subway World Headquarters
* The United States Sweet Potato Council
* U.S. Potato Board
* Vidalia Onion Committee

Phillips Mushrooms has earned the recognition for the third year, and Grimmway Farms and United States Sweet Potato Council for the second year. All other listed companies are first-time honorees.

Examples of support from the Champions are:

Placed the Fruits & Veggies-More Matters logo on packaging, bins, poly bags, and totes
Placed logo on non-edible food items
Linked to FruitsAndVeggiesMoreMatters.org website
Included Fruits & Veggies-More Matters in advertising and promotions, in PR and marketing efforts, as well as speaking platforms

“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, president and CEO of the Hockessin, Del.-based PBH. “I am especially pleased to recognize all of the companies who earned either Role Model or Champion status for the first time in 2012.”

Pivonka added that she is looking forward to formally recognizing these companies during a special Role Model and Champion recognition luncheon to be held during the general session of PBH’s Annual Conference set for March 14 in San Francisco.