WGMonth-logo2015FORWEB.jpg
#ShareWholeGrains this September
 
BOSTON, July, 2015 – September is Whole Grains Month and the Boston-based non-profit Oldways and its Whole Grains Council (WGC) are encouraging people everywhere to “Share the Goodness” of delicious whole grains in person – and online.
 
To celebrate, join in the “Share the Goodness of Whole Grains” Instagram photo contest, running September 1-30, 2015. Whether you bring homemade whole grain muffins to the office, give a loaf of homemade whole wheat bread to a neighbor, or pass around granola bars at your child’s soccer game, proclaim your enthusiasm for your favorite whole grains on Instagram and win.
 
To enter, follow the Whole Grains Council on Instagram (@Whole_Grains_Council) then upload your photo with a description telling how you shared your whole grain goodies with others using the hashtag #ShareWholeGrains. To inspire additional sharing far and wide, tag the friends you shared with (or even that celebrity you wish you could break bread with!).
 
The WGC will select one especially creative and inspiring “Sharer” as the First Prize winner of $500 and a bountiful assortment of whole grain foods. A selection of whole grain items will also be donated to a hunger relief charity in the winner’s home state. One Second Prize winner receives a $250 Gift Card to the King Arthur Flour Company shop and 10 Honorable Mentions receive a year of Cooking Light magazine.
 
In addition, every Friday throughout the month of September, a random #ShareWholeGrains photo will be chosen and the winners will receive whole grain cookbooks, magazines and more! Start posting in September and your photo may even be regrammed by Cooking Light (@CookingLight)!
 
Studies show that eating whole grains lowers the risk of many chronic diseases, including heart disease and diabetes.  Other benefits include reduced risk of asthma, healthier blood pressure levels, and better weight control.
 
You can enjoy whole grains every day, and at every meal – not just during September! – with these simple suggestions from the Whole Grains Council:
 
10 Ways to Eat More Whole Grains
  1. Switch half the white flour to whole wheat flour in your regular recipes for cookies, muffins, quick breads and pancakes.
  2. Try whole grain breads. Kids especially like whole grain pita bread.
  3. Add half a cup of cooked wheat or rye berries, wild rice, brown rice, sorghum or barley to your favorite canned or homemade soup.
  4. Buy whole grain pasta, or a blend that’s part whole-grain, part white.
  5. Use whole corn meal for corn cakes, corn breads and corn muffins.
  6. Enjoy whole grain salads like tabbouleh.
  7. Add three-quarters of a cup of uncooked oats for each pound of ground beef or turkey when you make meatballs, burgers or meatloaf.
  8. Stir a handful of rolled oats in your yogurt, for quick crunch with no cooking necessary.
  9. Make risottos, pilafs and other rice-like dishes with whole grains such as barley, brown rice, bulgur, millet, quinoa or sorghum.
  10. Try sprouted grains: they’re now available as side dishes or in breads, snacks and even pasta.
Whole Grains Month is an annual initiative designed to introduce consumers to the health benefits and great taste of whole grains. In September and all through the year, consumers are encouraged to visit the WGC web site for recipes, health information, cooking tips and much more.
 
Although only entries directly to Instagram will be judged, we encourage you to Share the Goodness across all social media platforms. Tweet, pin, post and spread the joy of whole grains to all – just be sure to include the hashtag #ShareWholeGrains. As an added bonus, Cooking Light, our Whole Grains Month media partner, will be regramming their favorite #ShareWholeGrains photos for the month of September.
 
Please contact Cynthia Harriman (cynthia@oldwayspt.org or 617-896-4820) for more information, including hi-res graphics of the Whole Grains Month or Share the Goodness logos or for interviews with WGC and Oldways program managers.
 
About Oldways and the Whole Grains Council

Oldways is a nonprofit food and nutrition education organization, with a mission to guide people to good health through heritage, using practical and positive programs grounded in science and tradition.  Oldways’ Whole Grains Council (WGC), has been working since 2003 to increase consumption of whole grains for better health, and in 2005 introduced the Whole Grain Stamp, now used on more than 10,000 products in 44 countries. The WGC’s many initiatives help consumers to find whole grain foods and understand their health benefits; help manufacturers and restaurants to create delicious whole grain foods; and help the media to write accurate, compelling stories about whole grains.  You can learn more about both at http://www.oldwayspt.org and http://www.wholegrainscouncil.org.