Food and Beverage

Operation Good Food & Beverages Addresses Growing Health Crisis Through Launch of Youth-led Movement Counteracting Unhealthy Food Marketing

Published

2 years ago

July 14, 2022

Rod Washington

girl in red and white polka dot shirt sitting on chair eating food — Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com

Campaign is working with Black youth and influencers to promote healthier food options and calling on the National Restaurant Association to promote menu changes

BALTIMORE /PRNewswire/ — Today, the Council on Black Health, a research and action network dedicated to improving Black health nationwide, launched a new, national campaign, Operation Good Food & Beverages (OGF&B), to engage Black youth in a movement to promote healthier food and beverage options and counteract widespread unhealthy food marketing. OGF&B is an initiative by and for Black youth who recognize the history of unhealthy food marketing and speak out on the need for healthy foods and beverages to be more available and promoted in Black communities.

The effort is in partnership with HeartSmiles, the Center for Science in the Public Interest, and the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Health at the University of Connecticut, and with support from the Bloomberg American Health Initiative at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and Evoke, a global brand, experience, and communications platform.

OGF&B addresses a growing and urgent health crisis in the Black community. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Black communities experience a heavy burden of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. This is fueled in part by higher-than-average exposure of Black youth to the marketing of fast foods, sugary drinks, and other unhealthy products. Analyses from the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Health found that in 2019, Black youth viewed, on average, nearly three fast-food ads per day – 75 percent more than their White counterparts.

“Patterns of racially targeted marketing of unhealthy food and beverages have not improved to any significant degree despite decades of public health criticism and calls for companies to change them,” said Shiriki Kumanyika, PhD, MPH, a research professor at Drexel University’s Dornsife School of Public Health and a lead researcher for OGF&B. “We believe a positive approach that expresses Black community views about the benefits of healthy foods and connects good foods to Black culture can spark change.”

Healthy eating has long played an influential role in Black communities. During the Civil Rights Movement, plant-based diets were central to many Black activists who saw the diet as a pathway to Black health and liberation. Today, for reasons from achieving health goals to connecting with African heritage, Black youth are among those spearheading the plant-based movement, with 50 percent of vegans identifying as Black or Latino.

OGF&B highlights the positive impact marketing of healthy foods and beverages can have on Black community health and well-being through the eyes of Black youth, who have contributed directly to the project through development of the website and social media channels, including content and videos. The campaign’s new website features community-inspired and nutritionist-approved recipes that can be used as part of a seven-day healthy food challenge, and it is working with Black influencers on TikTok and Instagram to help amplify the message. The campaign is also calling on the National Restaurant Association, via a petition on Change.org, to encourage its 380,000 member restaurants to apply existing Kids LiveWell nutrition standards to menu items that are popular with Black youth up to age 18 instead of the current age 12 and commit to promoting these healthier options. Through these efforts, OGF&B aims to amplify Black youth voices. and tackle an ongoing problem.

“Black youth will be the voice of this movement, but we all have a role to play,” said Kumanyika. “We hope that parents, advocates, advertisers, restaurants, food and beverage companies, celebrities and policymakers will all step up and join us to say now is the time to promote better food and beverage options in our communities. Our youth deserve it.”

ABOUT OPERATION GOOD FOOD & BEVERAGES

Operation Good Food & Beverages was developed with youth leadership from HeartSmilesMD, an enrichment and leadership development program serving youth in Baltimore’s most underserved communities, and is a project launched by the Council on Black Health, a research and action network dedicated to improving Black health nationwide. Support is provided by the Bloomberg American Health Initiative. Learn more at operationgoodfb.com and follow the campaign on TikTok and Instagram.

ABOUT THE BLOOMBERG AMERICAN HEALTH INITIATIVE

Through education, research, and practice, the Bloomberg American Health Initiative aims to impact five challenges to the nation’s health: addiction and overdose, adolescent health, environmental challenges, obesity and the food system, and violence. One part of the Initiative, the Bloomberg Fellows Program, offers full scholarships for MPH and DrPH degrees for individuals working on the front lines to advance health in the U.S. The Initiative was founded with a gift from Bloomberg Philanthropies in honor of the centennial of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Learn more at americanhealth.jhu.edu.

ABOUT EVOKE

Evoke provided several pro bono services for the OGF&B campaign including creative, strategic, and social media direction along with media buying. Evoke is a leading global brand, experience, and communications platform, purpose-built to make health more human™. Organized by global practice areas and specialty agencies, Evoke uses data-driven insights, creativity, and applied innovation to solve the most complex of challenges in today’s healthcare market. Evoke is a platform for clients, talent, and the communities they serve to unlock their full potential. For more information, visit Evokegroup.com.

SOURCE Operation Good Food & Beverages

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Rod Washington

Rod: A creative force, blending words, images, and flavors. Blogger, writer, filmmaker, and photographer. Cooking enthusiast with a sci-fi vision. Passionate about his upcoming series and dedicated to TNC Network. Partnered with Rebecca Washington for a shared journey of love and art. View all posts

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Food and Beverage

AMERICA’S #1 CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE BRAND UNVEILS ITS “BIGGEST” COOKIE INNOVATION EVER: CHIPS AHOY! BIG CHEWY COOKIE

Chips Ahoy! is launching a new product line called Big Chewy Cookies, which are over three times the size of their regular chewy cookies. Designed for on-the-go snacking, these cookies come in three flavors: classic Chewy, Chocolatey Brownie, and Chocolatey Caramel. The cookies will be available nationwide in October for $2.29 per pack.

Published

3 days ago

October 1, 2024

Daily News Staff

Over 3x the size of Chips Ahoy! Regular Chewy – Chips Ahoy! Big Chewy is a New Offering Created for On-the-Go Snacking

EAST HANOVER, N.J. /PRNewswire/ — The cookie experts at Chips Ahoy! are at it again – this time showing up bigger than ever before. Introducing the Chips Ahoy! Big Chewy Cookie – an entirely new product line from America’s #1 chocolate chip cookie brand. As the brand that is “Here for Happy,” this innovation from Chips Ahoy! brings cookie lovers an offering that is over three times the size of Chips Ahoy! Regular Chewy in an individually wrapped pack, making it the ideal go-to snack for splitting with a friend.

These new Chips Ahoy! Big Chewy Cookies will up the ante in snack aisles and convenience stores across the country. Designed with Gen-Z Chips Ahoy! lovers in mind – this oversized treat is perfect for on-the-go snacking during their busy lives or to split with a friend.

Boasting chocolatey chips over four times larger than the iconic Chips Ahoy! Chewy cookie for a bigger, more chocolatey bite, the cookie itself clocks in with a diameter over three times the size, and will be available in three delicious flavors:

Chips Ahoy! Big Chewy Cookie: Delivering classic Chips Ahoy! Chewy flavor now bigger and with the just the right amount of chocolatey chips to compliment the larger cookie and its soft-baked texture.
Chips Ahoy! Big Chewy Cookie, Chocolatey Brownie: A decadent brownie-flavored base takes indulgence up a notch and delivers an extra chocolatey bite for even the biggest sweet-tooth.
Chips Ahoy! Big Chewy Cookie, Chocolatey Caramel: Delicious caramel-flavored chips blend with the iconic sweetness of the Chips Ahoy! chocolatey chips to create a delicious mash-up of caramel and chocolatey flavors to deliver a big, indulgent bite.

“From our original cookies to our newest innovations, Chips Ahoy! fans have long enjoyed our iconic brand and mouthwatering flavors,” said Jen Levin, Senior Brand Manager for Chips Ahoy! US. “For over 60 years, Chips Ahoy! cookies have been the go-to cookie for chocolate chip cookie lovers of all ages. Now, with the launch of Chips Ahoy! Big Chewy Cookies, we’re excited to be their on-the-go cookie choice as well, offering indulgence and happiness in each big, delicious bite. And perhaps the best part of all? Their bigger size means you have enough Chips Ahoy! deliciousness to share with a friend!”

Chips Ahoy! Big Chewy Cookies

Chips Ahoy! Big Chewy Cookie will begin rolling out to retailers nationwide starting in October. Each 2.5 oz pack will be available for an SRP $2.29 at convenience stores. For more information on Chips Ahoy! Big Chewy Cookie, follow @chipsahoy on Instagram and @theofficialchipsahoy on TikTok to follow the latest Big Chewy Cookie news.

About Mondelēz International
Mondelēz International, Inc. (Nasdaq: MDLZ) empowers people to snack right in over 150 countries around the world. With 2023 net revenues of approximately $36 billion, MDLZ is leading the future of snacking with iconic global and local brands such as Oreo, Ritz, LU, Clif Bar and Tate’s Bake Shop biscuits and baked snacks, as well as Cadbury Dairy Milk, Milka and Toblerone chocolate. Mondelēz International is a proud member of the Standard and Poor’s 500, Nasdaq 100 and Dow Jones Sustainability Index.

CONTACT: Anna Marie Heaton, annamarie.heaton@mslgroup.com

SOURCE Chips Ahoy!

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Beverages

Death Wish Coffee Co. Celebrates National Coffee Day With The Launch of its First-Ever Light Roast

Death Wish Coffee Co. introduces its first Light Roast blend, offering a balanced flavor profile with sweet fruit notes, bright acidity, and robust depth, catering to evolving consumer tastes.

Published

4 days ago

September 30, 2024

Daily News Staff

The Premium USDA Organic and Fair Trade Certified^™ Blend Delivers a Bright, Smooth, and Bold Taste Unlike Any Other

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. /PRNewswire/ — Death Wish Coffee Co., the number one Organic and number one Fair Trade coffee brand in the United States*, has brightened up its portfolio with the launch of its first-ever Light Roast blend – a perfect balance of sweet, bright, and bold.

Death Wish Coffee Co.’s Light Roast Blend

The three-bean blend was intentionally crafted to highlight the sweet fruit notes of Colombian coffee, the bright acidity of Peruvian coffee, and the depth and body that premium Robusta has to offer. Slow-roasted to perfection, this complex brew will suit coffee enthusiasts who are seeking a lighter roast to invigorate their senses and keep them going all day long without compromising on quality or flavor. The Fair Trade Certified^™, USDA Organic, and Kosher roast can be enjoyed hot or iced and sipped during any time of day for a sustainably sourced pick-me-up that consumers can feel good about.

This addition is an expansion of Death Wish Coffee Co.’s core lineup of premium Medium, Dark, and Espresso roasts, which comes in response to the shifting flavor preferences of younger consumers.

“This exciting addition completes our core portfolio of Medium, Dark, Espresso, and now Light roasts —providing a range of high-quality, Fair Trade Certified^™, and USDA Organic roast shades for the discerning coffee consumer,” said Tom Ennis, President and CEO of Death Wish Coffee Co. “We are excited to offer a light, bright, and bold coffee for the new generation of coffee consumers that don’t want their parents’ coffee brand.”

Light Roast is available in 16 oz. ground bags, with whole bean and single-serve pods to follow. Light Roast can be purchased on www.deathwishcoffee.com and Amazon, with plans to hit Target shelves in early 2025.

Outside of its core line, Death Wish Coffee Co. also sells flavored options that are Fair Trade Certified^™ and made with no artificial flavors. Each product follows rigorous standards that protect the environment and livelihoods of coffee farmers. For more information about Death Wish Coffee Co., please visit www.deathwishcoffee.com, and follow the brand on Instagram @deathwishcoffee.

About Death Wish Coffee Co.
Good things start small. Mike Brown brought his bold idea to life in 2012—seeking a stronger coffee for his local community. He searched far and wide for the world’s best beans, perfected a unique roasting technique, and Death Wish Coffee Company was born. What started as a few employees packing orders in the basement of a quaint coffee shop is now the #1 Fair Trade and #1 Organic Coffee Brand* in the United States and can be found in more than 25,000 stores nationwide, on Amazon and deathwishcoffee.com. Death Wish Coffee Company blends, including its Dark Roast, Medium Roast, Espresso Roast, Valhalla Java, and now Light Roast, are always Fair Trade + USDA Certified Organic. For more information, visit www.deathwishcoffee.com.

*Source: SPINS, TOTAL US MULO, Shelf Stable Coffee and Grounds, Dollar Sales, L52W, W/E 5/19/24

SOURCE Death Wish Coffee Co.

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Food and Beverage

Celebrate Cozy Season with a Creamy, Comforting Meal

Enjoy a cozy autumn evening with a warming meal of Creamy Pumpkin Soup with Mini Pierogies, plus a chance to win cozy pierogy-inspired items.

Published

4 days ago

September 30, 2024

Daily News Staff

(Family Features) A snug sweater, a crackling fire and a meal that warms you from the inside out are perfect ways to spend a cool autumn evening with the people you love.

Comforting Meal

Gather around the table for a hearty meal featuring some of the most comforting flavors of fall – pumpkin, apple and cinnamon – plus a special ingredient: pierogies. Found in the frozen food aisle, Mrs. T’s Pierogies are stuffed with creamy mashed potatoes, cheesy goodness and other big, bold flavors – a comforting addition to this Creamy Pumpkin Soup with Mini Pierogies.

Available in 13 flavors, including 4 Cheese Medley, Loaded Baked Potato, Broccoli & Cheddar and other varieties in both full and mini sizes, they can be boiled, baked, sauteed, air fried and even grilled, making them a versatile addition to seasonal dishes of all kinds.

Plus, in honor of National Pierogy Day, you can enter for a chance to win items to get cozy –pierogy style. From getting comfy on the couch with pierogies to enjoying them in bed, you can win items inspired by these soft, pillowy, cheese-filled pasta pockets: like a plush robe or pierogy-shaped blanket. To enter, simply follow @mrstspierogies on Instagram, like the sweepstakes post and comment your favorite way to get cozy.

To find more cozy recipe inspiration, visit mrstspierogies.com.

Creamy Pumpkin Soup with Mini Pierogies

Prep time: 5 minutes
Total time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4

1 large shallot
1 large Honeycrisp apple (or 1 1/2 cups)
5 garlic cloves
olive oil
2 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth, divided
2 cups canned pumpkin puree
2 teaspoons maple syrup
pepper, to taste
salt, to taste
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons heavy cream
fresh thyme, to taste
1 box Mini 4 Cheese Medley Mrs. T’s Pierogies

Slice shallot, peel and cube apple and crush garlic.
In pot over medium-low heat, add drizzle of olive oil and saute shallots, garlic and apple 20 minutes, covered.
Let mixture slightly cool then add to blender with 1/2 cup broth and blend until fully combined.
In pot, add pumpkin puree; blended shallot mixture; maple syrup; salt, to taste; pepper, to taste; nutmeg; cinnamon; remaining broth; heavy cream; and thyme, to taste. Bring to low boil then add frozen pierogies. Boil 3 minutes.

SOURCE:
Mrs. T’s Pierogies

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