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North American Millers’ Association |
600 Maryland Avenue, SW • Suite 825 West |
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Washington, DC 20024 |
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202-484-2200 • Fax 202-488-7416 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PUBLICATION OR WEB SITE POSTING
Second Installment of Urban Wheat Field Addresses Food Literacy
with Improved Farm-to-Fork Exhibit in Nation’s Capital
North American Millers’ Association in partnership with Wheat Foods Council
unites industry to educate public and key influencers
WASHINGTON, DC – September 13, 2010 –On Thursday, September 23rd and Friday, September 24th a live wheat field, approximately one quarter of an acre in size, will sprout from the streets of the nation’s capital in an effort to promote food literacy via farm-to-fork wheat education. The North American Millers’ Association (NAMA) along with fellow members of the nation’s wheat industry will unite to deliver an authentic experience to city dwellers and key influencers during the Wheat Foods Council’s second Urban Wheat Field. The event will take place on Maryland Avenue between 3rd and 4th streets.
Experts in the areas of wheat agriculture, milling, baking and nutrition will guide visitors through each phase of the grain’s life cycle, engaging them in hands-on activities and demonstrations along the way. NAMA members Ron Lindgren, ADM Milling Company, and Mike Veal, ConAgra Mills, will demonstrate milling on mini mills. Sheryl Stennett of Horizon Milling, Terri Long, NAMA Director of Communications and Betsy Faga, NAMA immediate Past President will assist them.
“Coming off the success and excitement of New York’s Urban Wheat Field, we’re looking forward to strengthening our message and enhancing the experience at the Washington, D.C. event,” said NAMA President Mary Waters. “Our partners are sending more people, providing more resources and really going above and beyond to capitalize on this extraordinary, high-visibility educational opportunity.”
Highlights of the Urban Wheat Field exhibit include:
- A guided tour will take groups through every step of wheat growth and harvest via a live wheat field and a full-size combine. People will see five stages of wheat and tour guides, in the form of wheat farmers from throughout the country, will lead the way.
- Upon exiting the field, visitors will enter the milling area, which demonstrates how the grain itself or kernels become the flour that is used to make the foods they eat. Visitors will see an operating mill and grind their own flour with tabletop grinders.
- Once the flour has been milled, visitors will learn how it is transformed into the everyday foods. Live baking demonstrations will take place throughout the day and a baking station will churn out fresh bread for sampling.
- Registered dietitians will teach people about the way in which wheat foods fuel the body and provide essential nutrients. Against the backdrop of a mock grocery store aisle, nutrition experts will deliver a lesson in reading nutrition facts labels, identifying whole grain versus enriched grain foods and determining proper serving sizes.
Preceding the event, the National Association of Wheat Growers will host a reception for congressional staff members to experience the event and meet with representatives from their individual state wheat commissions. Members of NAMA’s Technical Committee will be in town the days preceding the event and will walk through the exhibit before departing DC.
The Urban Wheat Field is designed to foster a better understanding of a food’s nutrition and lineage by enabling people to experience the process by which a kernel of wheat becomes a wheat food. To learn more, visit the Wheat Foods Council’s website at www.wheatfoods.org or NAMA’s website at http://www.namamillers.org.
About the North American Millers’ Association
The North American Millers’ Association is the trade association representing 45 companies that operate 170 wheat, rye, oat and corn mills in 38 states and Canada. Their collective production capacity exceeds 160 million pounds of product each day, more than 95 percent of the total industry production.
About the Wheat Foods Council
The Wheat Foods Council is a nonprofit organization formed in 1972 to help increase public awareness of grains, complex carbohydrates, and fiber as essential components of a healthful diet. The Council is supported voluntarily by wheat producers, millers, bakers, and related industries.
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Contact: Terri Long, Director of Communications, 202.484.2200, ext. 11, tlong@namamillers.org.
The North American Millers’ Association prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, marital or family status, age, disability, political beliefs or sexual orientation. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact NAMA at 202.484.2200 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to Mary Waters, President, 600 Maryland Avenue SW, Suite 825W, Washington, DC, 20024 or call 202.484.2200 ext. 13. NAMA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
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