Produce For Better Health Foundation Announces Role Models & Champions

Hockessin, Del. - Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH) has named 14 Role Models and four Champions for their extraordinary support of the Fruits & Veggies-More Matters national public health initiative in 2009.  These companies were formally recognized during the foundation's Role Model Recognition Luncheon held at their annual Board of Trustees meeting on April 10 in Half Moon Bay, Calif. 

Nine retailers achieved Role Model status; Ahold USA, Inc., A&P, Food Lion, Kroger, Safeway, Savemart, Schnucks, Supervalu, and Weis Markets. Two retailers achieved Champion status, Associated Wholesale Grocers and Meijer.

Five suppliers achieved Role Model status; Chelan Fresh Marketing, C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc., Rainier Fruit Company, Inc., Stemilt, and Welch's. Two suppliers achieved Champion status, Giorgio Fresh Mushrooms and Phillips Gourmet Mushrooms.

"We're extremely proud and appreciative of the efforts contributed by all of our donors to spread the word that increasing fruit and vegetable consumption is important," said Elizabeth Pivonka, Ph.D., R.D., president and CEO of PBH. "However, these Role Models and Champions went above and beyond in their diverse support of the Fruits and Veggies-More Matters brand and PBH.  We are especially grateful to these companies for exhibiting a true commitment to Fruits & Veggies-More Matters, PBH, and our mission."

To achieve Role Model and Champion status, a donor must consistently demonstrate a wide range of support for Fruits & Veggies-More Matters in a variety of categories such as:

Pivonka added that PBH is looking for their list of role models to grow each year. Retailers and suppliers can earn PBH Role Model honors for helping to realize the power the Fruits & Veggies-More Matters health initiative has to influence consumption, and boost bottom lines in the process. For more information on becoming a Retail Role Model, view the Retail Role Model criteria on the PBH website. For more information on becoming a Supplier Role Model view the Supplier Role Model criteria on the PBH website. The foundation will identify and reference these role models in the ongoing public relations activities of Fruits & Veggies-More Matters.