What if everybody made sure every single meal they ate each day contained a bright color — naturally?
Without artificial dyes, that would mean every meal included a fruit or vegetable.
That’s the idea behind the 2023 theme, “Every Time You Eat, Have A Plant,” for the fifth annual National Fruits and Veggies Month celebrated in September by The Foundation For Fresh Produce, according to a news release.
The Foundation for Fresh Produce merged with the Produce For Better Health Foundation, or PBH, in January 2023, continuing the Have A Plant movement. The foundation focuses on improving the appeal of fruit and vegetables as a key part of people’s diets, supporting the development of infrastructure and supply chain solutions that provide easier access, and establishing strategic alliances that enable people of all ages to form healthier eating habits.
Launched alongside the Have A Plant movement in 2019 as an opportunity to elevate fruit and vegetable consumption to a national priority, the annual monthlong observance has reached more than 260 million impressions collectively since its inception, according to the foundation.
“Backed by our army of Have A Plant ambassadors who provide us content in-kind through their amazing work, this year is sure to reach consumers in a powerful way,” Have A Plant Marketing and Communications Director Katie Calligaro said in the release. “We encourage everyone to leverage our events on social and traditional media to promote your own products and brands …”
These are ways produce companies and retailers can celebrate throughout the month to sell more produce and increase the chance that people will eat it and be healthier:
- Have A Plant Cook Alongs on Facebook Live: Join and engage with 1 million followers on Facebook. The first event is 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on Aug. 31: National Fruits & Veggies Month Kickoff Celebration: #ThirstyThursday With Nicole Rodriguez; the second event is 4 p.m. EST on Sept. 13: Have A Plant Cook Along: Family Fiesta With Meghan Sedivy
- Weekly Instagram Series: Follow the Every Time You Eat, Have A Plant social media campaign featuring various Have A Plant ambassadors every Friday in September
- Weekly TV segments on AZTV with Have A Plant ambassador Kristen Carli: On Sept. 5, it’s Every Time You Pack, Have A Plant, sponsored by SunBelle; on Sept. 11, it’s Every Time You Order, Have A Plant, sponsored by BakoSweet; on Sept. 18, it’s Every Time You Eat, Have A Plant, sponsored by POM Wonderful; and on Sept. 25, it’s Every Time You Prep, Have A Plant, sponsored by Envy Apples.
- 2 p.m. EST on Sept. 26: Register for the health and wellness webinar, sponsored by U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council, called Exploring the Power of Flavonoids: The Latest Research, Health Benefits and Practical Applications.
- For other ways to get involved, visit The National Fruits & Veggies Month Toolkit, available free for download, for inspiration on your social channels, activations in retail or ways to implement fun menu ideas in foodservice. Companies can post weekly on their social channels, showing extra love for National Fruit and Veggie Month. Find sample social media posts, as well as downloadable graphics, on the “Point Of Inspiration” page in this toolkit. Use the hashtags #haveaplant and #NFVM2023.
- Highlight the monthlong celebration in a consumer-facing newsletter with one of the images from the “Point Of Inspiration” section as an ad or promotion graphic. Link it to fruitsandveggies.org/NFVM.
- Drive awareness about National Fruit and Veggie Month on personal or company LinkedIn pages to increase awareness and show a personal commitment to improving fruit and vegetable consumption in America.
- Leverage this monthlong promotion as a media hook for consumer-facing print or broadcast media opportunities.
- Share stories from farmers and growers that demonstrate the journey and care that goes into growing them. For example: “A day in the life of an onion.” Share how produce gets from the field to the table. The emotional connection and the eagerness to learn about where food comes from continues to inspire purchase behaviors.
- Educate consumers with fun facts and quick stats on how to best select, store, savor and share your favorite produce. Get tips from the Fruits & Veggies section on fruitsandveggies.org.
- Stay inspired and share creative tips, tricks and all-around impressive food hacks and stories by following along on Have A Plant social media channels: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
For more information on how to customize your integrated marketing plans with the foundation now and beyond September, contact Sharese Roper, director of industry and partner engagement for Have A Plant programs.
Related: Your retailer, supplier social media toolkit is available for September