APTOS, Calif. (November 19, 2009) Thousands of registered dietitians from all dietetic specialties and all U.S. states learned about the benefits of monounsaturated fats, also known as` MUFAs, courtesy of the Chilean Avocado Importers Association (CAIA) at the American Dietetic Associations (ADA) conference last month. The Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo (FNCE) hosted by ADA brought more than 9,000 dietitians and healthcare professionals to Denver for its annual conference.
Nutrition professionals are very important influencers for us because they reach consumers through a variety of informal touch points including classes and lectures, relationships with retail supermarket chains, and their own personal Web sites, news columns and media appearances, reports Maggie Bezart, marketing director, CAIA. They are an exceedingly important group that can help us multiply our message about MUFAs. Avocados are virtually the only known fruit that contain MUFAs.
The Chilean avocado exhibit booth featured CAIAs two registered dietitian consultants: Cynthia Sass, MPH, MA, RD, CSSD, and co-author of The Flat Belly Diet, and David Grotto, RD, author of 101 Foods That Could Save Your Life and the upcoming 101 Optimal Life Foods. Both dietitians have been presenting the message about the good monounsaturated fats found in avocados through their books and media appearances.
In addition to their popularity with the media, the two registered dietitians are highly respected by their peers and played an important role in communicating information about Chilean Hass avocados to the multitude of dietitians who visited the booth. Both wore buttons, designed by CAIA, directing visitors to Ask Me About MUFAs.
The dietitians also sampled CAIAs own Easy Avocado Spread and were delighted with its flavor and ease of preparation.. Visitors to the booth took away CAIAs new all-inclusive media kit on a convenient CD, as well as signing up for CAIAs brand new Avocado Lovers Club on Facebook and a special drawing to win $250 worth of groceries from their local supermarket. The media kit includes recipes, photographs, information about Chile and complete nutrition information.
Through our presence at ADAs FNCE, weve not only informed these experts about the benefits of avocados, but weve also captured information about their personal usage preferences and where they shop, explained Bezart. All of which is vital information since our connection with retailers is a cornerstone to CAIAs success.
Grotto has also featured two segments on avocados on his website www.101foodsthatcouldsaveyourlife.com and is including several recipes from CAIA in his new book, due out just before the first of the year, 101 Optimal Life Foods. Sass has a nutrition book focusing on healthful foods, including avocados, which will be published at the beginning of 2011.
CAIA will continue to use both Sass and Grotto in media efforts through the remainder of the Chilean season.
Established in 2002, CAIA is composed of Chilean avocado importers, exporters and producers. The associations main objective is to conduct market development activities and promotions to increase the consumption of Chilean Hass avocados in the United States during the Chilean season, August through March. Chilean Hass avocados are available throughout the fall and winter, when California avocados are out of season.
Source: CAIA
