Pear Bureau named USDA National Strategic Partner
PEAR BUREAU NORTHWEST DESIGNATED AS NATIONAL STRATEGIC PARTNER IN USDA’S NEW MYPLATE INITIATIVE
Portland, Ore. – August 16, 2011 – Pear Bureau Northwest is pleased to announce that it has recently been accepted as a National Strategic Partner with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion’s (CNPP) Nutrition Communicators Network. The Network was introduced in June 2011 at the same time that the USDA’s new MyPlate icon was unveiled as a simple visual reminder for consumers to make healthy food choices. The MyPlate icon replaces the USDA’s previously used Food Pyramid.
The Network, which is comprised of Community Partners and National Strategic Partners, was created to raise awareness about MyPlate and the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans among various audiences via grassroots and national channels. The overall goal is to help consumers implement the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. National Strategic Partners will join in the effort to consistently communicate key messages, including “make half your plate fruits and vegetables.”
In conjunction with this partnership, the Pear Bureau will communicate these key messages, and how fresh pears fit within these guidelines, with consumers, chefs, schools, registered dieticians, and other target audiences via its social media, point of sale materials, media outreach, and more. The Pear Bureau plans to provide resources like healthy pear recipes and pear nutrition facts to help ensure fresh pears have a place on Americans’ healthy plates for their nutritional benefit.
Kevin D. Moffitt, president and CEO of Pear Bureau Northwest noted that “with a cornerstone message of the initiative being to ‘make half your plate fruits and vegetables,’ fresh pears are a natural choice for Americans who strive to follow the current healthy eating guidelines set forth by the USDA.” Pears fit across all USDA Food Patterns and Eating Plans as described in the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, as they are an excellent source of fiber and a good source of vitamin C that contain no fat, sodium, or cholesterol.
The Pear Bureau joins other organizations who currently serve as National Strategic Partners, including the Produce for Better Health Foundation, the Produce Marketing Association, United Fresh, the School Nutrition Association, WeightWatchers, and more which can be found at http://www.choosemyplate.gov/Partnerships/nationalstrategicpartners-list.html.
About Pear Bureau Northwest
Pear Bureau Northwest is a non-profit marketing organization established in 1931 to promote the fresh USA Pears grown in Washington and Oregon, home to 84% of the US fresh pear crop. The Bureau represents 1,600 growers and develops national and international markets for Northwest pear distribution. For more information, visit www.usapears.org.
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Media Contact
Cristie Mather, Director of Communications
(503) 652-9720
cmather@usapears.com
Pear Bureau Northwest prohibits discrimination in all of its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, political beliefs, or disability. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact the Pear Bureau at (503) 652-9720.