Blandon, PA – Giorgio Fresh Co. is participating in a nationwide in-store program to support breast cancer research and awareness by turning their mushroom packages pink from mid-September to mid-November. Pink containers will fill the shelves, at participating retailers, in October to coincide with National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
“Our research shows that women may benefit from a balanced diet, which may include about 3.5 ounces of mushrooms per day,” explains Shiuan Chen, Ph.D., co-director, Breast Cancer Program at City of Hope. “Diet is a key consideration for disease prevention because it is something that everyone can control.”
Mushrooms are low in calories, fat-free, cholesterol-free and very low in sodium, yet they provide important nutrients including selenium, potassium, riboflavin, niacin, and vitamin D. Mushrooms are the only item in the produce aisle to provide vitamin D, and one of the few non-fortified food sources. All mushrooms contain vitamin D, but growers also have the ability to increase D levels by exposing mushrooms to ultraviolet light.
To support research on the potential cancer-fighting benefits of mushrooms, the Mushroom Council will provide $50,000 to City of Hope’s research on breast cancer and mushrooms in 2012. In total, the Council has awarded over $800,000 in grants for lab studies and pilot clinical trials to support this research. The Council has selected City of Hope as its beneficiary since 2002. City of Hope is a leader in the fight against cancer, HIV/AIDS, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases.
“Mushrooms were the first produce item to go Pink,” states Bill Litvin, Giorgio Sr. VP Sales. “We are proud to continue our support of the industry’s pink program to help raise awareness.”
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women, except for skin cancers. The American Cancer Society estimates that 1 in 8 women in the U.S. will develop invasive breast cancer during her lifetime. Research and awareness help support the cause, as there are over 2.6 million breast cancer survivors in the United States.
For more information, recipes and blogs, visit www.mushroominfo.com, or follow the Mushroom Council on Twitter and Facebook.
About Giorgio Fresh Co:
Since 1928, Giorgio has enjoyed a long-standing reputation for providing the worldwide retail and food service industry with the finest quality mushrooms. A family owned business with a family tradition of excellence; the Giorgio brand has come to stand for quality and integrity nationally. For more information visit Giorgio online at giorgiofoods.com or call 1-800-330-5705 for sales assistance.
About The Mushroom Council:
The Mushroom Council is composed of fresh market producers or importers who average more than 500,000 pounds of mushrooms produced or imported annually. The mushroom program is authorized by the Mushroom Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act of 1990 and is administered by the Mushroom Council under the supervision of the Agricultural Marketing Service. Research and promotion programs help to expand, maintain and develop markets for individual agricultural commodities in the United States and abroad. These industry self-help programs are requested and funded by the industry groups that they serve. For more information on the Mushroom Council, visit mushroomcouncil.org.
About City of Hope:
City of Hope is a leading research, treatment and education center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. Designated as a comprehensive cancer center, the highest honor bestowed by the National Cancer Institute, and a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, City of Hope's research and treatment protocols advance care throughout the nation. City of Hope is based in Southern California and is ranked as one of "America's Best Hospitals" in cancer by U.S.News & World Report. Founded in 1913, City of Hope is a pioneer in the fields of bone marrow transplantation and genetics. For more information, visit www.cityofhope.org or follow City of Hope on facebook, twitter, youtube or flickr.
Source: Giorgio Fresh Co.