Oldways 2008 News Archives

For 2007 News Archives, please click here.

2008
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February
March
April

Each one of us knows that "sweetness" is a key element for us to get enough sugars to keep our bodies healthy. The reason is that each of our body's cells gets its energy from a variety of sugars. However, we live in a land of enormous plenty—food and drink are all around us, and a great many Americans eat and drink too much, which inevitably leads to overweight, diabetes and other chronic diseases.

Understanding and Managing Sweetness is an educational program to help individuals and families make wise choices leading to healthy lifestyles and weight.

The Understanding Sweetness Conference, held in Washington DC earlier this month, was the second Managing Sweetness event in the US. Speakers' presentations are available here.

Week of March 31st, 2008
Oldways and the Mediterranean Foods Alliance are pleased to announce the 15th Anniversary Mediterranean Diet Conference, which will be held on November 16-18, 2008 in Cambridge, Massachusetts

Just fifteen years ago olive oil was considered an "ethnic" product, and few food retailers offered sizable selections of fresh olives, hummus, olive oils, balsamic vinegars, and sun-dried tomatoes. That all changed starting in January 1993, when Oldways and a group of eminent scientists introduced the concept of the Mediterranean Diet as a highly palatable and very helpful way to eat. Oldways also introduced the Mediterranean Diet Pyramid, a colorful graphic designed to help consumers understand this dietary pattern at a glance.

Using Oldways' trademark mix of influential scientists, health professionals, chefs and media, this conference will recognize the abundant scientific evidence supporting the Mediterranean Diet's health benefits and the increasing popularity of Mediterranean foods and drinks.
The three-day event will also focus on how to bring more Americans to the Mediterranean table—in homes, schools, restaurants, and hospitals—in short, everywhere Americans eat.

Please click here for details about the conference or to register.

Week of March 24th, 2008
Oldways Goes to Washington
Keeping abreast of government policy—and educating policymakers—are important to the success of Oldways' efforts to promote whole grains through its Whole Grains Council (WGC). With that in mind, we traveled to Washington DC this month to meet with nutrition leaders in various government agencies.

* At USDA's Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, we discussed the upcoming 2010 Dietary Guidelines, in an effort to learn how Oldways and the WGC can best support the role of whole grains in the nation's next official nutrition update. One result: we'll be working with our Scientific Advisors to make sure that all the most recent research on whole grains is available to the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee when it starts its work this fall.

* We met next with USDA's Food & Nutrition Service (FNS) to trade ideas with school lunch officials about the best ways to bring more whole grains to school lunches, and with the Economic Research Service to brainstorm about options for tracking Americans' increased consumption of whole grain. Both meetings were productive and inspired us with ideas for new educational programs!

* We wrapped up the trip with a day at the WIC Implementation Summit. WIC—the Women, Infants and Children supplemental feeding program—has just had its first major update in over 30 years; now, for the first time, at-risk women and their kids can get vouchers for whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables. Oldways and the Whole Grains Council are working with WIC to create lists of qualifying whole grain products, to smooth implementation of this major change.

Consumers are more likely to change their eating behavior when they hear a consistent and compelling message from all sources. By trading ideas regularly with Washington leaders, Oldways works to ensure that the nutrition advice coming from Washington is the best it can be, and that we're supporting those policies that effectively encourage healthy eating, as we create our latest innovative campaigns— not only for the Whole Grains Council but also for our Latino Nutrition Coalition and Mediterranean Foods Alliance programs.

Week of March 17th, 2008
Latino Nutrition Coalition announces membership for RDs and Nutritionists
New membership opportunity is open to all RDs and nutritionists who have an interest in the culture, cuisine, education, and care of the Latino community. Please click here to learn more about the benefits of membership and to sign up.

Week of March 3rd, 2008
Mediterranean Foods Alliance Launched
Helps Shoppers Find Med Diet Foods

To download and read the press release, please click here.

Week of February 25th, 2008
Understanding Sweetness Conference Announced

Oldways convenes top experts for a hard look at one of today's hottest health topics—sweetness, sugars, sugar substitutes and health—on April 2, 2008 in Washington, DC at the National Press Club. Click here for more information about the conference, the program, and to register.

Week of February 18th, 2008
Consumers Seek Natural Products at Deli Counters

K. Dun Gifford, Oldways founder and president, speaks with Deli Business on the continuing consumer interest in natural foods: shoppers now look for natural meats in the deli section of the supermarket.

Click here to download and read the article.

Week of February 4th, 2008
Successful Whole Grain Stamp Program Expands

The Whole Grain Stamp will appear on more than three quarters of a billion food packages this year, helping consumers quickly and easily find whole grain products. To celebrate the third anniversary of the Stamp, Oldways and the Whole Grains Council are launching two major expansions of this popular and effective program. A bilingual version of the Whole Grain Stamp has been introduced for use in Canada, and a menu-friendly version is now available for restaurants.

To read and download the entire press release, please click here.

Week of January 28th, 2008
Mediterranean Diet Pyramid Marks 15th Anniversary on January 23, 2008

Fifteen years ago American food shoppers didn't have the option of aisles brimming with olive oil, hummus, fresh olive bars and ready-to-eat, authentic pasta dishes. The appearance in American grocery stores of these healthier food choices can be credited to the 1993 launch of the Mediterranean Diet Pyramid by Oldways, the widely respected nonprofit "food issues think tank."

"I knew we had to sell health, pleasure and convenience, and back them up with bullet-proof science," said. K. Dun Gifford, Oldways founder and president, about the origins of the Mediterranean Diet Pyramid. "Fifteen years later our accomplishments with the Mediterranean Diet are recognized all over the world," said Gifford in recognition of the pyramid's anniversary.

To read and download the full press release, please click here.

Week of January 6th, 2008
Oldways Announces 2008 Events and Programs

Oldways is constantly on the move, promoting good nutrition and sustainability and encouraging a return to the delicious pleasures of traditional foods and wines, enjoyed with family and friends.

We are happy to announce the schedule of this year's events and conferences, symposiums and culinarias. We hope to see you in this new year. Please check back for updates and more information.

Camino Mágico launches in California in Nevada and New York, January 2008

Managing Sweetness Conference in Washington, D.C. April 2008

Rebirth of Learning: Olive Oil, Health and the Mediterranean Diet in Palermo, Sicily,
April 2008

54th Summer Fancy Food Show in New York City, NY, July 2008

World Food Exchange in Adelaide, South Australia, September 2008

World Pasta Day in Istanbul, Turkey, October 2008

Mediterranean Diet 15th Anniversary Symposium in Cambridge, MA, November 2008

Morocco Culinaria with Ana Sortun and Oldways in Marrakech and Fez, Morocco, December 2008

Latino Nutrition Coalition Conference, January 2009,

For more information please email or call Erica Calegari (ecalegari@oldwayspt.org, 617.896.4850).