Whole Grains Council targets consumers through restaurants

The Whole Grains Council (WGC) and Oldways, Boston, recently announced a grassroots consumer campaign to encourage Americans to ask for whole grains everywhere they eat. The Whole Grains Council says the goal of the campaign is to convince America’s restaurants and foodservice operations to offer at least one whole grain choice on their menus.The program launches this month to coincided with National Nutrition Month. Events are being held around the country with participating foodservice operations handing out “Just Ask for Whole Grains” buttons and information.

“If consumers ‘Just Ask’,” said WGC Chairman Jeff Dahlberg, “they will either be pleasantly surprised to get what they want or will, at the least, succeed in reminding food sellers to consider adding whole grain choices. This is all about choice.”

WGC also is promoting the “Just Ask” campaign on its Web site, www.wholegrainscouncil.org, where consumers can report their whole grain “finds,” print out whole grain report cards to leave behind at restaurants and enter themselves and their favorite eatery for monthly prize drawings.