SANTA PAULA, CA - As we continue our day-to-day, we see food-as-medicine maintaining an unprecedented demand and partners throughout the supply chain are putting in their best efforts to bring every convenience and innovative strategy to the forefront. Limoneira continuously rises to the challenge with its Take a Healthy Stand Education™ campaign, along with implementing creative strategies to level-up the produce aisle.

“Limoneira is proud to be a leader in educating consumers about how to eat their way to optimum health naturally,” stated President and Chief Executive Officer Harold Edwards.

The foundation underpinning Limoneira's educational campaign is consumer-friendly messaging supported by research from the Institute of National Health and other objective organizations.

“Even prior to the pandemic, we were communicating that good health and maintaining balance continues to be important to all of us, and citrus, among other produce items, can be critical to this balance,” commented John Chamberlain, Vice President of Marketing. “With COVID-19, we have all been made aware that a healthy immune system is very important. Our Take a Healthy Stand campaign provides important health messages to grocery retailers, registered dietitians, and nutritionists who in turn share with shoppers.”

An important part of the campaign is the Nature’s Pharmacy app. Limoneira cross-tabulated 57 health concerns with 74 fruits and vegetables that can be found in the produce section of most grocery stores, all in the palm of your hand.

“We understand that people are busy and looking for solutions that are easy to incorporate into their lives, and The Produce Department at Nature's Pharmacy app does just that,” John explained. “By selecting a concern or outcome, the app then generates foods in the produce aisle that can help consumers achieve their health goals.”

Megan Roosevelt, a Limoneira Nutritionist and Founder of Healthy Grocery Girl®, couldn’t agree more with the app’s usefulness as consumers shop for essential produce items.

“As a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, I always recommend consuming fresh produce first as a way to meet your vitamin and mineral intake. Second, supplementation may be needed to fill in any nutritional gaps. Produce, such as citrus fruits, are rich in immune-supporting antioxidants and vitamins such as vitamin C,” Megan said to me. “Citrus is incredibly versatile, from sweet to savory recipes, green-cleaning around the home, and for use in natural beauty. At a time when many may also be budget-conscious, produce items in which the whole fruit can provide benefits should be encouraged!”

While consumers work and cook more from home, they are also seeking long-lasting produce to minimize trips to the store. Citrus fruits are great to have on hand, and Limoneira provides videos and content for television, print, and radio, as well as in-store signage, to help retailers with key promotional opportunities.

“Digital content, such as our weekly recipe videos on YouTube and posts on social media, is a great way to reach consumers at home! By providing recipe inspiration, it can increase profits of key items that a retailer may wish to promote,” continued Megan. “Videos such as DIY (do it yourself), recipe, and beauty and lifestyle featuring Limoneira citrus are posted every week at YouTube.com/Limoneira. We are always happy to collaborate with our retail partners for inclusion in these videos or social posts and cross-promotion!”

In addition to health, consumers are always interested in sustainability and food waste solutions. Limoneira procures almost all of its energy from the sun and has patented water technology to treat greywater to California Title 22 drinking standards. Additionally, green waste recycling programs, integrated pest management, and healthy soil projects are just a few of the initiatives that Limoneira shares with its retailers and their shoppers.

So take life’s lemons for yourself, I say, and squeeze a bit of happiness into your shoppers’ day. AndNowUKnow will keep sending the industry’s latest updates your way.

Limoneira