As a MyPlate National Strategic Partner, the Florida Department of Citrus kicked off the new year helping to promote healthy eating in 2022 by sharing tools available through the federal program with consumers.

Why partner with MyPlate? The program, which is run by the USDA’s Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, is based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025. These guidelines, which are updated every five years, provide evidence-based advice on what to eat and drink to promote health and reduce the risk of chronic disease and are the cornerstone of federal nutrition policy.

The MyPlate program shares simple ways consumers can make big impacts to their health through the food choices they make. Some of the tools available through the program include quizzes to assess current eating habits, resources for making healthy and budget-friendly recipes, and an app to set and track daily food group goals.

What do the DGAs say about OJ? The guidelines and MyPlate support the role of nutrient-dense 100% fruit juices, such as orange juice, as part of a healthy dietary pattern and count 100% fruit juice as a fruit serving.

For more information on how the Dietary Guidelines support 100% fruit juice as a nutritious beverage choice, click here. You can also listen to a FDOC webinar recorded in January 2021 on the topic here. 

FDOC Executive Director Shannon Shepp recently outlined the Department’s current Winter Wellness campaign in Florida Grower. She also appeared alongside Florida Citrus Mutual’s Matt Joyner to discuss the state of the Florida Citrus industry on Spectrum News 13’s Central Florida Beyond the Soundbite podcast in December.

In Eat This, Not That!, Registered Dietitian and Florida OJ ambassador Lauren Manaker named 100% orange juice as one of the best drinks to lower cholesterol. Manaker also suggested OJ as a swap for sugar-sweetened beverages and as an ingredient in oatmeal.

Registered Dietitian and Florida OJ ambassador Samantha Cassetty also highlighted the health benefits of 100% orange juice recently in a story for HGTV.

You’ve read the results of the Department’s ongoing eCommerce programs, now find out how they work in a new live webinar this week from the FDOC.

Meredith Nelsen, of Edelman, Inc., will provide a behind-the-scenes look at how this technology-driven marketing tactic works and why during the webinar on Thursday, Jan. 13 at 11 a.m.

4 | Reel 'em in

If you are among the lucky few who have managed to resist the highly addictive activity of endlessly scrolling through Instagram Reels or TikTok thus far, this is for you.

For the uninitiated: The two platforms allow users to watch, create, and share short-form videos that are often overlayed with graphics, audio, or music. Instagram launched its version, called Reels, in 2020 while TikTok debuted in 2016. Today, the platforms tout 2 billion and 1 billion users per month, respectively.

Less socialization, more entertainment. While Facebook and other parts of Instagram tend to center on socialization, these short-form videos are all about entertainment. And with fewer eyes on television, advertisers are taking note of the increasing popularity and opportunity these platforms present – especially among Generation Z and millennials.

The New York Times recently highlighted how big brands are using these platforms as marketing tools. The platform’s algorithm, which tailors the videos that appear in users’ feeds according to their engagement and interests, is part of what makes the platform so effective when it comes to driving purchases.

How is Florida Citrus involved? The Department has found success in recent weeks partnering with several creators on both platforms to share the health benefits of Florida Orange Juice. A recipe video posted to Instagram Reels by FDOC partner Primal Gourmet last month reached 1 million views.

While there’s no exact recipe for crafting the perfect video, many of the platforms’ most viewed videos start or build upon a trend. In the case of Primal Gourmet, the video featured both catchy music and the oddly satisfying sounds of a meal being prepped. These audible sizzles, pours, and knife chops are often referred to as ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response) due to the relaxing sensation the sounds may evoke – a major trend right now.

Another hit: dance moves. This video from FDOC partner Taylor Walker Fit featuring a recipe for a hot toddy made with OJ is set to upbeat music and includes viral dance moves.

The bottom line: While these short-form videos are a small part of the Department’s overall campaign to drive sales of Florida Orange Juice, the opportunity for future growth on the platforms is something to keep an eye on.

Looking for previous editions of 5 Minutes with the FDOC? Click here.

Florida Department of Citrus | FloridaCitrus.org