Today, Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH) and the National Grocers Association (NGA) are announcing a newly formed partnership between the two organizations focused on the continuing education of supermarket dietitians within the independent and small retail chains and wholesale grocers. Supermarket dietitians are a key resource for shoppers looking to learn more about fruit and vegetables and the role they play in daily meals and snacks, disease prevention, and overall health and wellness. 

The partnership includes cross-sharing relevant resources and information from each organization with our respective members and supporters through webinars, and print and electronic communications and a sponsored event that will bring supermarket dietitians from small retail chains and independent stores to The NGA Show, held February 8-11, 2015 at the Mirage Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. The dietitians will participate in relevant educational sessions, engage with sponsors and other organizations while on the expo floor, and have the opportunity to meet fellow dietitians and members of the fruit and vegetable industry during several networking occasions. 

"Given our history of working with and supplying information, toolkits, and resources to supermarkets, and our more recent work with supermarket dietitians, the partnership with NGA is both exciting and timely," said Elizabeth Pivonka, Ph.D., R.D., president and CEO of PBH. "PBH will be able to share our vast resources with members of NGA, while continuing to strengthen our knowledge of the goals and needs of independents and small retail chains." 

"Health and wellness products and services are increasingly becoming a priority for consumers. Given this growing trend, NGA is excited about the opportunity to partner with PBH to equip our members with the tools and resources needed to better educate and provide products and services to meet their customers' needs and expectations," said Peter J. Larkin, president and CEO of NGA.