Hass Avocado Board Teams Up With Walk with a Doc® for Education on Healthy Living; Gina Widjaja and David Sabgir Discuss
MISSION VIEJO, CA - Valentine’s Day isn’t the only love-filled celebration taking place in February, as this time of year also marks American Heart Month. Fresh produce operators from across the industry are promoting the occasion, and the Hass Avocado Board (HAB) is one of them. Expanding its partnership with nonprofit Walk with a Doc® (WWAD) for the second year, the Board aims to increase health-focused education through a vast network of healthcare professionals.
“Partnering with WWAD is successfully increasing conversations about how diet can help prevent health issues,” said Gina Widjaja, Director of Marketing and Communications of the Hass Avocado Board. “Especially during these uncertain times, we see health professionals and consumers valuing updates on nutrition research and tools to help incorporate more heart healthy foods like avocados in their daily diet.”
With heart conditions posing greater risk of severe illness from COVID-19, the campaign will address preventable risk factors starting with an interactive virtual walk event next month. The program will engage WWAD’s network of over 28,000 current and future healthcare professionals and walkers, and continue throughout the year with accredited content and a media tour featuring WWAD Founder and board-certified cardiologist Dr. David Sabgir.
“Increasing exercise, social connections, and nutrition is a powerful trifecta when it comes to promoting heart health,” said Dr. Sabgir. “Teaming up with the Hass Avocado Board is a good fit for WWAD since as doctors, we know healthy eating patterns associated with heart health include plenty of fruits and vegetables and unsaturated fats, yet Americans are very behind in meeting daily requirements. With avocados being virtually the only fresh fruit with good fats, each bite is an easy opportunity to meet both fruit and good fat recommendations.”
WWAD’s Aloha Adventure will leverage Fresh Avocados - Love One Today® recipes and educational tools to build awareness. Kicking off on February 14, the event will challenge teams from across the country to commit to heart health during a two-week virtual exploration of the Hawaiian Islands, a press release explained.
WWAD doctors will encourage consumers to move more while increasing fruit and vegetable intake and reducing saturated fats. Walkers of all ages and across the industry are invited to join and sign up here. Participation is free and limited to the first 1,500 to register.
Spread the love this February and get talking about heart health!
