Our monthly summary of how you can make the most of your Whole Grains Council membership.

WGC August 2016 Member Newsletter
Dear Oldways Whole Grains Council members,

Watching the Olympics got us thinking: How do you become the best swimmer in the world? Eat oatmeal for breakfast! In a recent interview, Michael Phelps said he starts his day with a big bowl of oats, and turns to a full plate of whole grains, lean protein and fresh vegetables for dinner. "It's like putting higher octane fuel in a car - I run better when I eat better," he says. Go whole grains!
New Whole Grains Council Website

The big news this month is our complete re-do of the Whole Grains Council website! Aside from the clean new look, improvements include:
  • Responsive design, to work better on phones and tablets
  • Improved search of Whole Grain Stamp products
  • New 50%+ checkmark for products high in whole grain
  • More whole grain resources, more accessible
  • Vibrant, colorful recipes
  • Additional tools for Product Registration Forms (including the ability to see the status of all your products)
Take a look for yourself, and tell us what you think! Email cynthia@oldwayspt.org.
Conference Hotel Deadline August 29   
 
Make your hotel reservations now if you're planning to attend our Whole Grains Away From Home conference September 25-27 in Chicago. Hotel discounts end August 29 or whenever our block is full, and only a few rooms remain.

This conference is a "must attend" for anyone selling whole grains, especially to foodservice markets. Our program of top-notch speakers centers on three main areas:
  1. Whole Grain Trends and Marketing - Learn which grains are hot and why; gain insights about consumer attitudes.
  2. Foodservice Markets, Segment by Segment - Hear about schools, QSR, fast casual, contract foodservice and even "grocerants."
  3. Making the Most of Whole Grain Flavors - Taste dishes demo'd by experienced whole grain chefs, and get top tips for pairing ingredients with the nuttier, fuller taste of whole grains.
Click here to register for the conference (first registration from each WGC member company is free) and make your hotel reservations here.  Questions? Contact Cynthia Harriman (617-896-4820 or cynthia@oldwayspt.org).

A big thanks to our conference sponsors to date, for their support:
Project Sponsor: Ardent Mills
Event Sponsors: Barilla, Bob's Red Mill, King Arthur Flour
Benefactor Sponsors: Bay State Milling, General Mills, InHarvest, Lundberg Family Farms, Mars, Nature's Own (Flowers), Quaker, To Your Health Sprouted Flour, United Sorghum Checkoff Program.
Hello Caroline, Goodbye Harley     

Caroline Sluyter is our new Whole Grain Stamp Program Manager. She'll be reviewing and approving your Product Registration Forms and ensuring you make the most of your WGC membership investment in every possible way. An eight-year veteran of Whole Foods Market with a Masters in Food Policy, Caroline looks forward to being a force for healthier food choices at Oldways. Contact her at 617-896-4832 or caroline@oldwayspt.org to get acquainted!

Caroline replaces Harley Songin, who's left us to work and study at Northeastern University. A big thank you to Harley for all that she contributed to the Whole Grains Council
Twitter Chat: Example of WGC Partnerships    
 
WGC member Flowers Foods reached out to us last month and invited the WGC to partner with them in holding a Twitter chat in conjunction with their Dave's Killer Bread brand, to celebrate Whole Grains Month in September. Of course we said yes! Over the years we've supplied quotes for WGC members' press releases, written guest blogs, connected members with sampling opportunities, publicized members' contests and discounts, and so much more. Contact Caroline Sluyter if you're doing something special we could help you with.
Whole Grains Month Social Media & Links  

September is Whole Grains Month. Why reinvent the wheel? Use our Tweets and graphics, on this page, to liven up your participation in this annual celebration. And, if you're running a special contest or promotion for Whole Grains Month, contact Kelly Toups (kelly@oldwayspt.org or 617-896-4884). We may be able to help you spread the word!
Cynthia Harriman
Director of Food and Nutrition Strategies
cynthia@oldwayspt.org

Kelly Toups, MLA, RD, LDN
Program Director
kelly@oldwayspt.org 

Caroline Sluyter
Stamp Program Manager 
caroline@oldwayspt.org

... and from all of the Oldways and Whole Grains Council staff
Oldways is a nonprofit food and nutrition education organization inspiring good health through cultural food traditions and lifestyles. The Oldways Whole Grains Council is only one of our many successful programs. Check out our website to learn more. 
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