YUMA, AZ - Whether it’s your cup of tea or not, the marketing power of social media is not to be denied, and Bard Valley Natural Delights® recognizes that. With its focus on growing brand awareness, the date provider has collaborated with registered dietitians (RDs) to share the healthy benefits of the category to boost basket share throughout National Nutrition Month and beyond.

“Natural Delights prioritizes collaborating with registered dietitians due to their expertise and ability to inspire beneficial changes in healthy eating habits. We engage RDs in developing digital and printed health materials, hosting TV segments, sharing social media content, and offering expert insights to the media,” says Natalia Toccoli, Digital Marketing Manager for Natural Delights. “We also ensure that our RD partners participate in our Harvest Tour to deepen their understanding of our growing and packing practices, empowering them to represent the brand as trusted allies effectively.”

The supplier’s RD partners go beyond offering advice on healthy snacking and meals featuring dates; they also guide consumers on where to find them, greatly benefiting retailers. Notably, the brand’s media dietitians are directing individuals to their local stores to discover Natural Delights products, amplifying their visibility and desirability.

"When people ask me what my favorite trip is, I'm always elated to tell them about my experience getting to harvest Medjool dates as part of the Natural Delights annual harvest tour. Through this experience, my eyes were truly opened to the intricate journey these nutrient-dense gems go on before reaching our grocery shelves. This first-hand experience equipped me to speak to Natural Delights in several different ways, including trade show appearances, live TV segments, crafting quotes for top-tier online outlets, and recipe creation,” adds Mackenzie Burgess, RDN, nutrition partner for Natural Delights, and recipe developer at Cheerful Choices. “It's clear that Natural Delights is dedicated to partnering with registered dietitians and spreading positive health messages to diverse audiences."

RDs’ reputation for providing accurate, science-backed information makes them trusted consumer sources. Natural Delights also appreciates their ability to translate complex health terminology into easily digestible language, empowering everyday shoppers to grasp the significance of integrating fresh Medjool dates into their daily routines.

Although many retailers employ registered dietitians, Natural Delights suggests utilizing social media to amplify the content generated by RDs across various platforms. A wide variety of valuable content is available, ranging from nutritional recommendations to snacking and recipe tips, which prove immensely beneficial to consumers and serve as user-generated content for grocers.

“Because Natural Delights Medjool Dates have been such an easy solution for my family and the audiences I speak to, they have always been a dream brand to work with,” said Annessa Chumbley, RD, Emmy-nominated TV host and nutrition spokesperson. “It's easy to be enthusiastic and speak genuinely about a brand I know will be an amazing, delicious, and nutritious solution for others.”

With the summer approaching, retailers can continue to promote dates alongside Natural Delights’ RD partners to capitalize on snacking demand.

“National Nutrition Month doesn't have to conclude in March! This year's theme, Beyond the Plate, inspired families to consider nutrition on the go and at the table. Given that Medjool dates are a convenient portable snack, we encourage retailers to continue promoting this message throughout the spring and summer months,” details Natalia. “Remind consumers that dates are ideal snacks for student athletes, convenient grab-and-go options for the office, satisfying snacks during travel, and excellent appetizers for spring and summer gatherings.”

If you are looking for a date partner, contact Bard Valley Natural Delights here.