Last week, Produce for Better Health Foundation recognized the top six Registered Dietitians within the industry during their annual convention in Scottsdale, Arizona.  Elizabeth Hall, registered dietitian for Food City received one of the 2015 Supermarket Dietitian of the Year awards. 

‘Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH) is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) fruit and vegetable education foundation.  Since 1991, PBH works to motivate people to eat more fruits and vegetables to improve public health.  PBH achieves success through industry and government collaboration, first with the 5 A Day program and now with the Fruits & Veggies—More Matters public health initiative.  Fruits & Veggies—More Matters is the nation’s largest public-private, fruit and vegetable nutrition education initiative.’  

The candidates were selected from hundreds of nominations submitted by supermarket chains throughout the industry.  The award recognizes outstanding achievement in the areas of promoting fruits and vegetables and the Fruits & Veggies – More Matters brand through store programming and signage, social media and other media channels, celebration of Fruits & Veggies – More Matters month during September, and encouraging consumers to eat more fruits and vegetables through community events such as store tours, cooking demonstrations and classes, school visits, corporate presentations and other PR activities.

“I am honored to work for a company that not only values meeting customers’ needs, but empowers them to make better decisions about nutrition and health. Thanks to the overwhelming support from our corporate departments, store managers, and CEO, Steve Smith, we hope to continue promoting the efforts of Produce for Better Health and the Fruits and Veggies – More Matters brand through store programs and events in our communities,” says Hall.

Food City also received a Retail Champion Award in recognition of their outstanding marketing and advertising support of the Fruits & Veggies – More Matters program.  Lori Hamilton, Food City’s Director of Healthy Initiatives received the award on behalf of the company.

“We are honored to receive this recognition and award.  It’s a team effort, as we work with our associates and community members to focus on the many benefits of fruits and vegetables.  We strive to promote fresh, frozen and canned, as all are great sources to incorporate into our diet,” said Hamilton.

PBH also chairs the National Fruit & Vegetable Alliance (NFVA), consisting of government agencies, non-profit organizations, and industry working to collaboratively and synergistically achieve increased nationwide access and demand for all forms of fruits and vegetables for improved public health. To learn more about NFVA, visit www.NFVA.org. To learn more about PBHF, visit www.PBHFoundation.org and www.FruitsandVeggiesMoreMatters.org. Follow Fruits & Veggies—More Matters on Facebook or Twitter.

Pictured above (left to right): Scott Owen (Wonderful Citrus & 2016 Chairman of the Board for PBH), Elizabeth Hall (Food City Registered Dietitian), Lori Hamilton (Food City Director of Healthy Initiatives) and Howard Nager (Domex Superfresh Growers & Outgoing Chairman of the Board for PBH)

Headquartered in Abingdon, Virginia, K-VA-T Food Stores (Food City’s parent company) operates 135 retail outlets throughout southeast Kentucky, southwest Virginia, east Tennessee, Chattanooga and north Georgia.