PBH Reveals Industry Role Models, Champions

2/19/2014

Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH) has revealed 79 “Fruits & Veggies—More Matters” Industry Role Models and Champions for 2013: 49 companies earned Role Model status (the top level of recognition), while 30 achieved Champion status. The Hockessin, Del.-based foundation will formally recognize the organizations at a March 18 awards luncheon during The Consumer Connection, PBH’s annual conference in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Congratulating “such a diverse group of companies from the fruit and vegetable industry for their respective efforts to increase fruit and vegetable education, awareness, and consumption ... helps to strengthen our collective work toward a healthier America,” PBH President and CEO Elizabeth Pivonka said.

“Whether using the logo on marketing materials, packaging or linking to PBH websites, the 2013 class of industry Role Models and Champions continue to be strong ambassadors of the Fruits & Veggies—More Matters brand and national health campaign,” she noted.

Standouts in Product

The 2013 Industry Role Models are the American Frozen Food Institute (third consecutive year), Bard Valley Medjool Date Growers, Bayer CropScience (second consecutive year), Black Gold Farms, Blue Book Services (third consecutive year), Borton and Sons, C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc. (five or more consecutive years), California Avocado Commission (second consecutive year), California Cling Peach Association, California Strawberry Commission, Campbell Soup Co., Canned Food Alliance (second consecutive year), Chelan Fresh Marketing (five or more consecutive years), Del Monte Foods (third consecutive year), Del Monte Fresh Produce (fourth consecutive year), Dole Food Co. (third consecutive years), Domex Superfresh Growers (fourth consecutive year), Duda Farm Fresh Foods (fourth consecutive year), Frieda’s Inc., Giorgio Fresh Mushrooms (third consecutive year), Green Giant Frozen & Canned, Grimmway Farms, Hass Avocado Board, Juice Products Association, Kellogg Co. (third consecutive year), Mariani Packing Co., Melissa’s/World Variety Produce, Inc. (second consecutive year), Monsanto Vegetable Seeds (third consecutive year), National Watermelon Promotion Board, Pacific Coast Producers (third consecutive year), Paramount Citrus, Pear Bureau Northwest (third consecutive year), Rainier Fruit Co. Inc. (five or more consecutive years), Ruiz Sales, Inc. (second consecutive year), Sage Fruit Co., Stemilt Growers, Inc. (five or more consecutive years), Sunkist Growers (second consecutive year), Sun-Maid Growers of California (fourth consecutive year), Syngenta Corp., The Mushroom Council (third consecutive year), The Oppenheimer Group, The Packer (second consecutive year), The U.S. Sweet Potato Council, The Walt Disney Company (third consecutive year), U.S. Apple Association, U.S. Potato Board, Wawona Frozen Foods (second consecutive year), Welch’s, and Wholly Guacamole (second consecutive year).

The 2013 Industry Champions are Bejo Seeds Inc., Blanc Industries, Can Manufacturers Institute, Chilean Fresh Fruit Association, Crunchies Inc., Foxy Produce, Georgia Fruit & Vegetable Growers (second consecutive year), Idaho-Eastern Oregon Onion Committee, Idaho Potato Commission, Indianapolis Fruit Co., Market Fresh Produce, Mastronardi Produce, McDonald’s Corp., Monterey Mushrooms, National Mango Board, Naturipe Farms, Nestlé USA, PepsiCo, Phillips Mushroom Farm (third consecutive year), Produce Marketing Association, Potandon Produce, Seneca Foods Corp., Southern Specialties, Spice World, Subway (second consecutive year), Sunsweet Growers, Taylor Farms, The Produce Mom, Ventura Foods, and Well-Pict Berries.

The foundation named its Supermarket Role Models and Champions for 2013 earlier this month. The supermarket honorees will also receive formal recognition at the annual meeting’s awards luncheon.

PBH, a nonprofit fruit and vegetable education foundation, encourages people to eat more fruits and vegetables through industry and government collaboration, first with the “5 A Day” program and currently with the Fruits & Veggies—More Matters public health initiative. Fruits & Veggies—More Matters is the largest public-private, fruit and vegetable nutrition education initiative in the United States, with Fruit and Vegetable Nutrition Coordinators in each state, territory and the military.