FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For this fruitful “power period,” USHBC is promoting blueberry consumption with new industry resources and partnerships
FOLSOM, Calif. – September 1, 2022 – The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) is encouraging consumers to grab a boost of blue every day during September for National Fruits & Veggies Month (NVFM). In a month long campaign, USHBC is highlighting the role blueberries can play as part of an overall healthy diet and lifestyle with new recipes, nutrition information, research and more. Custom content including original recipes and TikTok and Instagram posts from USHBC’s health professional partners – known as the “Blue Crew” – are further emphasizing blueberries as a smart choice consumers can make every day.
NVFM creates a valuable opportunity to appreciate all the goodness that fruits and veggies bring to our tables for our minds, our souls, our health and our happiness. Currently, 80% of Americans don’t meet their recommended intake of fruit each day. Blueberries offer a simple, healthy and delicious solution to boost daily fruit intake. Whether fresh or frozen, blueberries provide a variety of beneficial vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, vitamin K, manganese and phytonutrients called polyphenols. They’re also a good source of fiber, containing approximately 4 grams, and only 80 calories per serving (one cup, or approximately a handful).
USHBC is activating its long-standing partnership with the Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH) in September to commemorate PBH’s fourth annual NVFM celebration and help elevate fruits and vegetables to a national priority. Throughout the month, USBHC is joining PBH in Celebrating the Roots of Our Food, aligning blueberry content with four key themes: make it easy, back to basics, fruit & veggie hacks, and fruit & veggie care. The partnership includes an exclusive blueberry-focused content series across PBH’s digital ecosystem featuring recipes and a custom question on PBH’s expert advice page. This content series will be enhanced by display ads in PBH’s consumer e-newsletter, banner ads and a USHBC profile on fruitsandveggies.org. To complement these efforts, PBH Have A Plant® Ambassadors and Blue Crew members Manuel Villacorta and Cara Harbstreet also are posting social content about NFVM and blueberries.
“National Fruits & Veggies Month is the perfect time to empower more people to make EASY nutrition and lifestyle changes for a longer, happier and healthier life. If you’re looking to boost your fruit intake, add blueberries to a meal you already know and love.” said Manuel Villacorta, MS, RDN. “Blueberries are a nutrient powerhouse, making it simple to get beneficial vitamins and minerals with crave-worthy flavor. When you want to feel good – inside and out – grab a boost of blue!”
The September promotional campaign is the fourth of five “power periods” that are part of Grab a Boost of Blue, a strategic positioning and call to action backed by new tools and consumer research for retailers. USHBC is providing tailored resources for use by health professionals and retailers, including blueberry recipes, tip sheets, ready-made social media posts and digital ads. The resources are available now in the National Fruits & Veggies Month toolkit, which also is featured in USHBC’s health professional and retailer e-newsletters.
USHBC also joins PBH in asking everyone across the produce industry to share at least one piece of NFVM-related content in September, whether in a social media post or in a consumer-facing newsletter or other communication.
“Consumers look for easy ways to eat healthier, during National Fruits & Veggies Month and throughout the year. Blueberries offer a simple, delicious solution people can enjoy every day, at any time of day, to fit more fruit in their diet,” said Kasey Cronquist, President, USHBC. “Collaborating with the Produce for Better Health Foundation allows us to share useful tips and tricks with more consumers and help them grab more nutritious boosts of blue.”
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About the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council
The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council is an agriculture promotion group, representing blueberry growers and packers in North and South America who market their blueberries in the United States and overseas, and works to promote the growth and well-being of the entire blueberry industry. The blueberry industry is committed to providing blueberries that are grown, harvested, packed and shipped in clean, safe environments. Learn more at blueberry.org.