OXNARD, Calif. – Mission Produce, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVO) (“Mission” or the “Company”), the world leader in sourcing, producing, and distributing fresh Hass avocados, today announced the launch of Opt For Avo, a health and lifestyle campaign designed to promote healthy lifestyles with the World’s Finest Avocados. Mission will promote avocado as a healthy substitute for foods high in saturated fats through social media content, influencer partnerships with registered dietitians, in-store merchandising options and digital media kits.
“In the wake of increasing focus on consumer health, we foresee this campaign as a timely movement to increase market penetration and overall avocado consumption,” Ross Wileman, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, said. “More than educate on the nutritional benefits of avocados, we aim to ignite a consumer habit to use this superfood not only as a healthy substitute, but to ‘wow up your week’ and bring joy and happiness to every meal.”
In a survey of over 8,000 consumers, only 65% of participants associated avocados with healthy fats, despite a medium Hass avocado containing 18 grams of monounsaturated fats,* making it a healthy substitute for foods high in saturated fats.
According to the same survey, only 51% of consumers associated avocados with heart health, 36% considered them a good source of fiber and 32% as immunity-boosting. However, by opting for avocado, consumers opt for 20 vitamins and minerals that are essential to a daily diet, and associated with heart health, skin health, weight management,1 a balanced diet, and increased satiety.2
“Avocados are a delicious and easy way to add in more nutrients to your day,” May Zhu, Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist and Founder of Nutrition Happens, said. “They’re packed with heart-healthy monounsaturated fats that can help fat-soluble nutrients like Vitamin A, D, E, and K absorb better in the body. Research shows that the healthy fats found in avocados have a cholesterol-lowering effect when substituted for sources of saturated fat.”
“We’re excited to have May as one of our key partners to help us encourage consumers to ‘dazzle up their day’ with happy and healthy moments with avocados.” Denise Junqueiro, Senior Director of Marketing and Communications, said. “We’re leaning on data and science to drive our Opt For Avo campaign forward. There is significant opportunity to give consumers more reasons to integrate avocados into a healthy lifestyle and get their ‘daily dose of delicious.’”
As part of an overall healthy lifestyle,3 avocados can be substituted 1:1 for butter, margarine, cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, and more.
To join Mission in merchandising with the Opt For Avo campaign, or to download the Opt For Avo digital assets, please visit https://worldsfinestavocados.com/marketplace/avocado-intel. To follow the conversation on social, use #OptForAvo.
References
*According to the Hass Avocado Board
1. Dreher, M. L., & Davenport, A. J. (2013). Hass avocado composition and potential health effects. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition, 53(7), 738–750. https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2011.556759
2. Cedars-sinai.org. 2021. Primary Health Benefits of Avocados | Cedars-Sinai. Available at: www.cedars-sinai.org/blog/healthy-and-delicious-avocado.html. Accessed 2 March 2021.
3. Neil, C. E., et al (2017) Avocado Consumption by Adults is Associated with Better Nutrient Intake, Diet Quality, and Some Measures of Adiposity: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2001-2012. Internal Medicine Review. 3(4)
About Mission Produce, Inc.:
Mission Produce is the world’s most advanced avocado network. For more than 35 years, Mission Produce has been recognized as the leader in the worldwide avocado business, sourcing, producing and distributing fresh avocados, servicing retail, wholesale and foodservice customers in over 25 countries. The vertically integrated Company owns and operates four state-of-the-art avocado packing facilities in key growing locations globally including California, Mexico & Peru and has additional sourcing capabilities in Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, New Zealand, & South Africa. Mission’s global distribution network includes eleven forward distribution centers in North America, China & Europe that offer value-added services such as ripening, bagging, custom packing and logistical management. In addition, Mission owns over 11,000 acres globally, allowing for diversified sourcing and access to complementary growing seasons, while ensuring its customers receive the highest quality fruit possible. Mission is the largest global supplier of the World’s Finest Avocados, for more information please visit www.missionproduce.com.
