As part of its influencer strategy and commitment to doubling its reach to connect with consumers, the Produce for Better Health Foundation is collaborating with United Fresh Produce Association to bring 10 influencers to the trade show floor on Tuesday, June 11. The group consists of retail and foodservice dietitians, influential food bloggers, renowned media RDs, nutrition consultants, and leaders from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the largest organization of food and nutrition professionals in the world.
“We wanted to leverage the opportunity while we were in Chicago to not only share our new Have A Plant™ movement with key influencers, but also introduce them to the fresh produce industry. For many, this will be their first time experiencing the United Fresh Expo and connecting with the industry directly,” said Wendy Reinhardt Kapsak, president and chief executive officer of PBH. “Fruits and vegetables are at the center of dietitians’ plates, but to experience the show floor and make real-life connections can truly ignite powerful partnerships that can engage consumers in a meaningful way.”
The group consists of the following individuals:
* Bloomin’ Brands – Maria Caranfa, RD LD, Foodservice Registered Dietitian
* Christine Palumbo Nutrition – Christine Palumbo, MBA, RDN, FAND
* FEED Nutrition Consulting – Kristin Houts, MS, RD, LDN
* Fresh Thyme – Kerry Clifford, MS, RD, LDN, Retail Registered Dietitian
* Fresh Thyme – Meghan Sedivy, RD, LDN, Retail Registered Dietitian
* Hispanic Food Communications, Inc. – Sylvia Klinger, DBA, MS, RD
* Nutrition Happens – May Zhu, MBA, RD, LDN
* On Target Living – Kristen Johnson Brogan, RD, LDN, ACE-PT
* Once Upon A Pumpkin – Maggie Michalczyk, RDN
* The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics – Mary Beth Whalen
* Victoria Shanta Retelny – Vicki Shanta Retelny, RDN
“We’re glad this community of PBH-assembled, food and nutrition influencers is looking to further expand their knowledge of the produce industry through participation at United Fresh,” said Mary Coppola, vice president, marketing & communications, United Fresh Produce Association. “These are the types of opportunities that make the United Fresh show more robust and relevant to the broader food dialogue.”
“Hosting influencers at select industry events and trade shows is a key element of PBH’s events and education platform,” said Sharese Roper, events and education manager for PBH. “We successfully continue to extend and enhance the industry’s investment in trade shows. For example, we have hosted highly-coveted retail dietitians at the Produce Marketing Association’s Fresh Summit Convention & Expo for close to a decade. Nearly every influencer who attends one or more PBH events requests a future invitation.”
PBH continues to grow their events platform to create omni-channel educational experiences that address the needs of industry members and influencers, while engaging consumers where it matters most. The newest addition to their event portfolio is the PBH’s Fresh Concepts Foodservice Event, delivering 8-10 foodservice leaders and culinary trendsetters to PMA’s Foodservice Conference and Expo. In 2020, their network of elite influencers will be ever-present and accessible through new, reimagined partnerships and customized event services.
“We pride ourselves on our best-in-class concierge style service and have enhanced the ways to strategically connect the produce industry with elite influencers through programs that ignite meaningful, long-lasting connections,” said Reinhardt Kapsak.
For more information about how to work with PBH on influencer engagement, events, retail and foodservice programs as well as customized digital and social media content opportunities, visit www.fruitsandveggies.org.
