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Whole Grains Council Honors Food-Based Charities
During Whole Grains Month
BOSTON, October 10, 2013 – During Whole Grains Month in September, Oldways and the Whole Grains Council challenged people across the country to nominate their favorite charity addressing food insecurity for its Good Grains for a Good Cause project. Today the Whole Grains Council is pleased to announce Snack in A Backpack from Fannin County, Georgia is the winner.
Nearly 500 nominations came in from 39 states for food pantries, soup kitchens and other organizations. Snack in a Backpack was randomly selected from all nominations and will receive a wealth of delicious whole grain foods donated by Whole Grains Council member companies.
“We are thrilled that Snack in a Backpack was our Good Grains for a Good Cause winner. The forty cases of whole grain foods they’ll receive will help feed kids in this rural mountain area who get school meals during the week but would go hungry on weekends without the food bags provided by Snack in a Backpack,” said Cynthia Harriman, Director of Food and Nutrition Strategies for the Whole Grains Council and Oldways. “And while Whole Grains Month and our Good Grains for a Good Cause project is over, we hope everyone will continue to keep their local food pantry in mind whenever they have spare food or resources available. It is this caring spirit and generosity that keeps these wonderful organizations moving forward.”
Initially started in 2009 with just one hundred twenty five kids, Snack in a Backpack now provides food to over four hundred students a week and has distributed over 30,000 bags to date.
“Receiving the Good Grains for a Good Cause prize is so exciting for our organization,” said Gaye Whalton, Program Director for Snack in a Backpack. “The prizes will go a long way in filling our backpacks and getting kids excited about trying new whole grain treats that will feed their minds and their bellies.”
Any whole grain products left over after filling backpacks will be shared with a local food bank.
Studies show that eating whole grains lowers the risk of many chronic diseases, including heart disease and diabetes, with some studies showing reduced risks from as little as one serving daily. Other benefits include reduced risk of asthma, healthier blood pressure levels, and better weight control.
Thanks to the following companies, for providing prizes for this year’s big event: Alpine Valley Bread, Among Friends Baking Mixes, Back to Nature, Barbara’s Bakery, Bob’s Red Mill, Catallia Mexican Foods, Carl Brandt / Mestemacher, Copak/Mother’s Farms, Dr Kracker, Freekehlicious, Frontier Soups, Hain Celestial, HomeFree, Indian Harvest, Kellogg, KLN Family Brands, MagNoodles, Marion’s Smart Delights, Mary’s Gone Crackers, Open Road Snacks, Ozery Bakery / Pita Break, Pamela’s Products, Popsalot, Rubschlager Baking, Severance Foods/Pan de Oro, Silver Palate Kitchens, Upfront Foods, Vita Spelt / Purity Foods, Whole Foods Market / Rocky Mountain Bakehouse.
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.
For more information about Good Grains for a Good Cause, and to stay tuned for next year’s Whole Grains Month events please visit: http://wholegrainscouncil.org
Please contact Rachel Greenstein (rachel@oldwayspt.org or 617-896-4888) for more information, including hi-res graphics, interviews with WGC and Oldways program managers, or recipes.
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. The Whole Grains Council (WGC), an Oldways program, 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 8,600 products in 41 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.
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