The Health Benefits of Eating Pecans

Recent & Pending Activities Update

Russ Lemieux, NPSA Executive DirectorMarch 2003

• Founded 1943• 22 Sheller Members

31 Affiliate Members• Variety of member

programsincluding health benefits research and promotion of

pecans

• Foundation: Develop scientific database on the health benefits of pecans

• Promote health messages and nutritional attributes of pecans based on sound science

• Coordinated by committee of shellers and growers

Increase demand for pecans by educating a variety of

audiences about the nutritional value, health

benefits, inherent goodness and great taste of pecans.

Campaign Goal

Pecan PromotionCampaign Components

•Consumer Promotion

•Foodservice/Commercial Education

•Research Promotion

2002-3 NPSACampaign

• Further promote Loma Linda findings

• National Pecan Month• Commercial Outreach• Promote other

research

Maximize ROI

EXTEND THE STORY!

Fall 2002 VNR

Two Million Viewers

Los AngelesPhiladelphiaMilwaukee

San AntonioIndianapolis

etc.

“Mat” Release

70 Million Readers

800 Newspapers

UGA Study on Vitamin E

www.ilovepecans.org

UpdatedRegularly

• Press Releases• VNR• Nutrition News• Technical Information

”

www.ilovepecans.org2,600,000 “hits”

201,000 visitors

”

NationalPecan Month

National Consumer Survey

News “Hook” for

NPM= Results

Commercial Audience Ads

July & Fall 2003

85,000 Readers

Pending Pecan Studies

University of Georgia

Loma Linda

Texas A&M

University of Georgia

Plant Sterols in PecansConcentrated source cholesterol-lowering

substance

Loma Linda University

•Vitamin E (gamma tocopherol) from Pecans

•Other Antioxidants•Fat absorption

Texas A & M University Pecan Research Studies

• Pecans lower cholesterol & improve nutrient intake

• Pecans improve health of blood vessels

Pecan South Pecan South

Pecan Pecan GrowerGrower

Liaison withLiaison with state/regional state/regional

pecan organizationspecan organizations

Other NPSA Activities• Article on labeling of

unsaturated fat content in pecans

• Support of health claims petition

• Statement on genetically modified pecans

• Support of INC• Monitor pertinent research

Pecans as a Health Food

Have We Turned A Corner?

Yes, But …

People Have Short Memories!And “Share of Stomach” is a

Precious Commodity

The Next Non-Pecan Health Study is Just Months Away

Pecan Industry Must Protect and Grow Its Market

Reinforce Health Benefits of Pecans

Confirm More Health Benefits of Pecans

Required: Ongoing Pecan Industry Effort

$820,000 Contributed in 5 Years!

$0$20,000$40,000$60,000$80,000$100,000$120,000$140,000$160,000$180,000$200,000

1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Shellers

Growers

Others

NPSA Program

Individual GrowersGrower Associations

Shellers Brokers, Dealers, Suppliers

for your continued support of of the pecan industry’s

only national program!