Join the 6th International Whole Grain Day celebration, hosted by MEP Sebastian Everding. This event will be an opportunity to explore the vital role of promoting healthy and sustainable diets that incorporate whole grains, emphasising their importance in tackling diet-related health issues. Panellists will discuss how whole-grain foods can be essential to a balanced diet, while also addressing the notable gap between current consumption levels and recommended intakes. Initiatives to improve whole grain uptake and nurture healthier generations will also be addressed, highlighting collaborative efforts among policy makers and producers. Additionally, a panel of industry experts and farmers will discuss their initiatives aimed at fostering a competitive and resilient whole grain future.

We invite you to join us as we celebrate whole grains all around the world. See each event’s details below for more information and links to register. 

A diet low in whole grains is the second greatest dietary risk factor for death according to the 2017 Global Burden of Disease study, and yet whole grain consumption continues to fall well below recommended levels in most parts of the world. Whole grains are key to healthy diets at every stage of life, and research shows that introducing whole grains at a young age helps establish healthy habits that can last a lifetime. Whole grains are also an excellent sustainable food choice – they have minimal environmental impact, are nutritionally dense and weather resilient, and can be stored for long periods, making them a natural staple of most diets around the globe. 

On 19 November 15:30-17:00 CET, the WGI and a host of global leaders will convene at the EU Parliament to explore the vital role of educating children and young people about the benefits associated with whole grain consumption and ways to inspire them to integrate these nutritious choices into their daily diets.

Embracing Whole-Grain Foods for healthier generations

Tuesday, November 19, 2024 3:30 PM | (UTC+01:00) Amsterdam, Berlin, Bern, Rome, Stockholm, Vienna

The "Switch to Whole Grains" campaign encourages European citizens to improve their health by incorporating more whole grains into their daily diet. Launched by the European Food Information Council (EUFIC), the initiative highlights the many benefits of whole grains, such as reducing the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Through interactive weekly challenges, quizzes, delicious recipes, and tips & tricks, participants can explore new whole grain options and make these nutritious choices a lasting part of their diet for better health. The campaign also includes social media engagement with the hashtag #SwitchToWholeGrains, where participants can join others in the challenge and share their progress with a chance to win a prize.

Learn more and join the challenge: Switch to Whole Grains​

In celebration of International Whole Grain Day, the Grains and Legumes Nutrition Council will be celebrating whole grains all week long, from 18th-24th November. GLNC will be working with the entire food supply chain, from growers and manufacturers to retailers and healthcare professionals to encourage people to “eat whole grains for your whole life.” They will be focusing on the benefits of whole grains for every stage of life and offering tips for easy ways to get more whole grains in. GLNC will be organizing a day-long event in Melbourne for 30+ media and industry professionals, they’ll be offering a free recipe eBook and other resources, and they’ll be collaborating with health professionals throughout the week on social media.

The Oldways Whole Grains Council will be organizing an educational campaign for International Whole Grain Day. They’ll be targeting health professionals with outreach that includes a round-up of key resources and qualified webinars available for continuing education credits. They will also be executing a social media campaign targeting consumers and will be encouraging widespread participation from their industry members and health organization partners

To promote International Whole Grain Day, the Danish Whole Grain Partnership has organized a video project connecting several Whole Grain Initiative partners of many different nationalities. Each partner will be creating a short video showing their preferred method of preparing oatmeal and including glimpses of the landscape where that partner is based as a fun way to highlight some of the similarities and distinctions between whole grain consumptions in different parts of the world. These videos will be promoted on social media by each partner and the Danish Whole Grain Partnership will create a single video connecting them together.

You can watch the recording of the 2023 Whole Grain Day Webinar at the button, and you can view the final slide deck HERE.