What began as a grassroots effort to celebrate the nutritional benefits of kale as a trending superfood, has grown into a worldwide movement. This year will mark the fourth annual National Kale Day on October 5, 2016.
Spearheaded by Co-Founders Dr. Drew Ramsey & Chef Jennifer Iserloh, authors of the bestselling book, 50 Shades of Kale, the movement began in 2013 when Ramsey and Iserloh, along with a dedicated army of kale lovers, hosted the first event in October and reached hundreds of thousands of consumers, gaining millions of impressions for kale.
In fact, this year’s kale army has grown into quite a military operation, with all DeCA military commissaries throughout the U.S. promoting kale October 3-9, 2016. In addition to the weeklong promotion, all 144 commissaries will have special signage and in-store events that include demos and recipes of kale smoothies, stir-fry and salads.
In recent years, kale's popularity has grown in both supermarkets and on restaurant menus. In fact, Whole Foods Market now buys and sells more kale than all other greens combined and other retailers have reported triple digit sales increases. This growing interest in kale has growers and manufacturers excited about the opportunity to promote, not just kale, but all leafy greens. While some say that kale’s day has passed, others know that what no longer appears as trending has moved to the mainstream, where it’s become easy to find kale at places like Chick-Fil-A and McDonalds.
Kristi Harris, Marketing Manager for Robinson Fresh and the Glory Foods brand remarked, “Glory Foods has been a trusted name in greens for more than two decades so it’s only natural that we would support a movement that brings so much energy to leafy greens.”
This year’s celebrations will focus on building online communities through social media, in-market events and school participation. Facilitated by an advertising grant from Google, National Kale Day will be actively promoting it’s free downloadable e-cookbook, featuring nearly two dozen kale recipes, and the $1000 cool cash kale giveaway. In addition to online events, including an evening Twitter party, health care provider Eskenazi Health in Indianapolis, IN, will feature a variety of events including giving away over 4000 bunches of kale throughout the community.
In addition, to consumer events, National Kale Day has touched 10 countries, multiple health care institutions, retailers, restaurants and schools, with some of the largest school districts in the country, including New York Public Schools, planning to serve up kale. Dr. Ramsey remarked, “I have been a proponent of brain foods like kale for years, and there is nothing more exciting than seeing the potential to reach kids early on in their lives and teach them about healthy foods in a fun way.”
Melinda Goodman, Managing Partner of Full Tilt Marketing and produce industry advocate noted, “We’re grateful to our sponsors, including San Miguel Produce, Glory Foods and Simply 7 Snacks, who help to fund these communication and marketing activities, reaching grassroots influencers across the country. The success of National Kale Day, and every movement that promotes increased consumption of fruits and vegetables, is a triumph.”
To learn more about National Kale Day visit www.nationalkaleday.org
Media Contact:
Melinda Goodman
Full Tilt Marketing
Tel: (414) 967-5755