Fruits a veggies as a love language: Episode 61
Do you wonder which apple will taste the best, or which is healthier? Our guest today writes a very popular blog that inspires people to eat more produce. Lori Taylor also started using TikTok to illustrate how eating produce is love language for your body. Lori is the founder a CEO of The Produce Moms. For 10 years she sold fresh produce to over 300 grocery stores in the United States . Today, The Produce Moms serves as the leading destination and community for consumers to gain education about fruits and vegetables and transparent truth about agriculture. The Produce Moms mission is to help people of all ages understand that fruits and vegetables are the ultimate choice in food. Key points: Why did you start The Produce Moms? In 2012 there was no place online to learn about produce, and more than 200 items in produce department. Millennial moms were consuming information differently and wanted information about plants, growers, the best time for taste. As part of Lori’s job, she pitched a blog with a friendly approachable tone. For three years she wrote and was the spokesperson for The Produce Mom Blog. In 2015 the company decided to end their involvement in the blog, Lori bought it, and rebranded it as The Produce Moms. What is the top question your get on The Produce Moms? People are confused and want to know where to find good information. The Produce Moms blog is intended to provide quality information and the inspiration to eat more produce in an environment where anyone can create a platform. Many platforms are rooted in passion, not fact. People think organic and local means healthy and fear that traditionally grown produce is loaded with pesticides. Lori’s organization shares information about how the economy and consumer choice drive different types of production. How does food bullying impact low income people and increase food insecurity? Misinformation such as the “Dirty Dozen” list scares people away from buying produce. Produce is nutrient rich and essential. Food security is national security in and human security. We need to focus on nutrition not just calories. The nutrition panel for produce is the same regardless of how it is grown. It is all healthy. Childhood nutrition is especially important. We need to push government leaders to have the best interests of children/students up front. All forms of produce (fresh, frozen, and canned) are good choices. Promoting fresh produce, which is most nutrient dense, is important. If we moved toward free school meals for everyone, we would improve childhood nutrition for all and remove the stigma. 3 tips to overcome Food Bullying: Food is culture - celebrate life a family history Fruits and vegetables are the ultimate choice. ALL choices are good choices. Don’t overthink it! Don’t stress out over which fruit or veggie to choose. Do you. Don’t beat kids up if they don’t like something - try something else. Links: Lori Taylor website: www.theproducemoms.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheProduceMoms Instagram: instagram.com/theproducemoms Twitter: twitter.com/theproducemom Pintrest, YouTube a TicTok: @theproducemoms Have you liked the podcast’s Facebook Page? https://www.facebook.com/foodbullyingpodcast Food Bullying with Michele Payn: http://foodbullying.com Embrace Your Heart with Eliz Greene: http://www.embraceyourheart.com/