Oldways and its Whole Grains Council were honored by the Grains for Health Foundation on May 21st for their measurable and ongoing success in making more healthy whole grain foods available to consumers.
The award was one of four presented at an international Whole Grains Summit in Minneapolis attended by 300 delegates from 18 countries. Recipients were singled out for their extraordinary contributions to the grains and health community in four key sectors: nonprofit, industry, government and research/academic.
“This award recognizes the collaborative efforts and significant contributions of the Whole Grains Council in bringing increased awareness and understanding of whole grain foods to consumers,” said Len F. Marquart, President, Grains for Health Foundation.
“We are honored to be recognized for our contribution to the whole grains community and for driving consumer awareness of whole grains,” said Sara Baer-Sinnott, president of Oldways.
“Starting with a small group on 2003, and the vision of Oldways’ founder Dun Gifford, we aimed to make whole grains as mainstream as olive oil (and to get our Whole Grain Stamp mentioned on Oprah!). I’m happy to say we reached both goals, but we never imagined the positive changes in the demand for and supply of whole grains that have taken place in less than 10 years.”
Gifford, an influential food advocate, started Oldways in 1990 and with a small group of committed individuals, founded the Whole Grains Council in 2003 to increase consumption of whole grains for better health. The Whole Grain Stamp was introduced in 2005; today it is used on more than 7,100 products in 35 countries.
About Oldways and the Whole Grains Council Oldways (www.oldwayspt.org) 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 7,100 products in 35 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
