October Is The Perfect Time To Eat Healthy And Reduce Cancer Risk

ROSEVILLE, Calif. — Pink Ribbon Produce, a cause-marketing in-store promotion, announced today that the Pink Ribbon Produce program will be returning to the produce industry this October to raise awareness for the fight against breast cancer. The program along with three grocery retailers – Harris Teeter, Meijer and Price Chopper – focuses on promoting the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables to fight cancer. In addition to education and awareness efforts, the collaboration has collectively raised more than $461,000 for the fight against breast cancer.  This year the program is supporting the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.® (NBCF).

Now in its 11th year, the promotional campaign challenges consumers to battle cancer by eating healthier. The program officially runs through the month of October to coincide with Breast Cancer Awareness month and has already started to pepper the aisles of retailers across the nation. This year's theme is "What's on Your Plate?," designed to educate and empower shoppers to buy, cook and eat healthy options that naturally lower the risk of cancer.

Officially kicking off October 1, participating produce suppliers and retailers will display educational signs, distribute pamphlets and utilize point-of-sale wobblers in their stores. This in-store marketing will ensure consumers are aware of the Pink Ribbon Produce campaign and are encouraged to purchase groceries that are healthy for them and support breast cancer research, treatment and screenings.

"We are thrilled to be a part of Pink Ribbon Produce and our industry partners in a united pledge to fight breast cancer," said Debbie Augustine, founder/executive creative director of AugustineIdeas. "This healthy eating and lifestyle campaign extends the farm to fork movement to raise awareness and donations to support breast cancer education and prevention."

The American Cancer Society recommends eating 2 ½ cups of fruits and vegetables every day to lower the risk of cancer. This statistic led Pink Ribbon Produce to develop three vibrant "What's on Your Plate?" guides. Through helpful tips and tasty recipes featuring the products from participating produce suppliers, these resources will encourage shoppers to fill half of their plates with fruits and vegetables. The goal is that these guides – combined with an informative website and in-store marketing – will inspire consumers to actively lower their risk of breast cancer by balancing their meals.

Consumers can download any of the "What's on Your Plate?" guides for free by visiting www.pinkribbonproduce.org.

Through various fundraising activities, including Pink Ribbon Produce, NBCF provides funding for research, educational programs and mammograms to women across the country. By uniting produce suppliers and retailers with NBCF, Pink Ribbon Produce creates a convenient way for shoppers to support breast cancer research and prevention. Additionally, all of the in-store marketing includes links back to the promotion's website, which includes a quick "Donate Today" feature that direct visitors to NBCF's secure donation portal.

During the month of October, Pink Ribbon Produce brings major produce suppliers together through Harris Teeter, Meijer and Price Chopper stores. Produce partners supporting this year's Pink Ribbon Produce campaign include:

 
For more information about Pink Ribbon Produce, its partners and ways to donate, please visit pinkribbonproduce.org, follow Pink Ribbon Produce on Twitter at @PinkRibbn or become a fan at Facebook.com/PinkRibbonProduce.

About Harris Teeter

Harris Teeter, with headquarters in Matthews, N.C., is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR). The regional grocery chain employs approximately 30,000 associates and operates stores in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Maryland, Delaware, Florida and the District of Columbia.

About Meijer

Meijer is a Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer that operates 230 supercenters and grocery stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin. As a pioneer of the "one-stop shopping" concept, Meijer stores have evolved through the years to include expanded fresh produce and meat departments, as well as pharmacies, comprehensive apparel departments, garden centers and electronics offerings. Additional information on Meijer can be found at www.meijer.com. Follow Meijer on Twitter @twitter.com/Meijer and @twitter.com/MeijerPR or become a fan at www.facebook.com/meijer.

About Price Chopper Supermarkets

Based in Schenectady, NY, the Golub Corporation owns and operates 134 Price Chopper and Market 32 grocery stores in New York, Vermont, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The American owned, family-managed company prides itself on longstanding traditions of innovative food merchandising, leadership in community service, and cooperative employee relations. Golub's 22,000 teammates collectively own more than 47% of the company's privately held stock, making it one of the nation's largest privately held corporations that is predominantly employee-owned. For additional information, visit www.pricechopper.com.

About the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.®

Recognized as one of the leading breast cancer organizations in the world, NBCF's mission is to help women now by providing help and inspiring hope to those affected by breast cancer through early detection, education and support services.  A recipient of Charity Navigator's highest 4-star rating for eleven years, NBCF provides women Help for Today…Hope for Tomorrow® through its National Mammography Program, Beyond The Shock®, Early Detection Plan, and breast cancer research programs. For more information, please visit www.nbcf.org. 

About AugustineIdeas

AugustineIdeas is an integrated media communications agency with 19 years of experience providing branding, digital strategy, creative services, web development, social media marketing, public relations, graphic design, shopper marketing and retail activation to clients in a diverse range of industries. The firm is one of the largest and most competitive in Northern California with over 50 employees and offices located in Roseville, Calif. and Dallas, Texas. For more information, visit AugustineIdeas.com or follow us on Twitter at @AugustineIdeas.

Source: Pink Ribbon Produce