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Oldways Holds Fifth Annual Supermarket Dietitian Symposium
to Tackle Retail Health Challenges

BOSTON, January 2015 – Oldways will hold its fifth annual Supermarket Dietitian Symposium Sunday, March 22nd through Tuesday, March 24th in St. Petersburg, Fla.  This year’s symposium, Healthy Plates, Healthy Planet, will provide two days of thought-provoking sessions with 100 of the nation’s top supermarket dietitians, food experts, and industry leaders.  The group will tackle a universal challenge: how to help consumers recognize, buy and eat healthy foods and how to drive sales of better-for-you food choices at retail.

Oldways, the international nonprofit widely recognized for its expertise with traditional plant-based diets, healthy eating pyramids, and the Whole Grain Stamp, developed the symposium, in collaboration with Barbara Ruhs MS, RD, LDN, to support the important work of supermarket dietitians. The event offers a unique opportunity for invited attendees to meet, network, and brainstorm practical solutions to improve the health of all Americans.

Supermarket dietitians are changing the face of public health and retail in America,” said Sara Baer-Sinnott, president, Oldways.  “To make a significant difference, it is critical that all parties — health professionals, retailers, food suppliers and academia — come to the table to share knowledge and create actionable solutions to help these dietitians maximize their impact and influence in the retail environment.”

Symposium Highlights: (The full agenda will be available following the event.)

—Nutrition: Talking about traditional and plant-based diets, their environmental impact, nutritional benefits and innovative ways to promote these healthy lifestyles at retail.

—Marketing Health: From understanding the modern consumer, to implementing successful campaigns and how to use technology to promote better health.

—The Market Place: NEW this year, Oldways’ “trade show” showcases sponsors’ healthy products in a way to help dietitians learn effective strategies to promote them, connect with their shoppers, and make an impact on customer health.

“We are proud to bring together this influential group of dietitians, researchers, food experts and industry leaders to address the issues of the day and arm supermarket dietitians with the tools to make their jobs easier,” said Barb Ruhs, MS, RD, LDN, Symposium coordinator.  “We are thrilled to have partners as committed to public health as we are. Without their support this event would not be possible.”

Oldways thanks the following symposium sponsors:  Foxfire/InteliChoice, Dr. Schar, Lipton Tea, Zevia, Wholly Guacamole, Sun-Maid, National Pasturized Eggs, Almond Board of California, California Strawberries, USA Pears, General Mills, Barilla, Mushroom Council, Juice Products Association, Organic Valley, The Peanut Institute, Canned Food Alliance, KIND, and several others.

Those interested in following the event on Twitter can use the hashtag, #SupermarketRD

About Oldways
Oldways (www.oldwayspt.org) is a nonprofit food and nutrition education organization, with a mission to guide people to good health through cultural food traditions and lifestyles, using practical and positive programs grounded in science. Simply, we advocate for the healthful pleasures of real food. Oldways is the parent organization for The Whole Grains Council, Mediterranean Foods Alliance and Cheese of Choice Coalition, and is well-known for creating the Whole Grain Stamp and the Mediterranean Diet Pyramid.