Wednesday, May 6, 2015

The Awesomeness of Kale


 
What do Kale, and Pom Wonderful have in common?  They each have exemplary public relation firms.  PR Firm My Young Auntie represents the American Kale Association.  A recent article in SELF Magazine claims that the Kale revolution started in New York City and then spread across the country as consumers became more interested in healthy food.  Kale's other relatives: Mustard, Collard, and Turnip greens may be turning green with envy at Kale's new rock star status.  During a recent music video, superstar Beyoncé wore a sweatshirt with the words "kale" inscribed on the front.  In the past few years, numerous articles have been devoted to promoting or discouraging Kale consumption.  There is even an entire book dedicated to Kale: Fifty Shades of Kale is a cookbook Dr. Drew Ramsey. 

Kale's rise to stardom has been a slow one. It was ignored for a long time, despite the fact that it was always nutritious.  When one considers what good advertising and public relations work did for Kale, it makes one wonder what other vegetables could benefit from image consulting: Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, and leeks all come to mind.  What about a PR campaign for ugly fruit and vegetables? Kale, with its beautiful leaves and striking color would appear to be an easier sale than a edible monstrosity that evokes laughter rather than a mouth watering sensation.

Ugly fruit and vegetables do have several positive points. Ugly produce may not look picture perfect but they are still edible and just as nutritious as the attractive produce sold in retail stores.  One of the benefits of eating ugly fruit is it avoids food waste.  Food waste is a serious social and environmental issue because there are many Americans that experience food insecurity.  Wasted food goes to landfills were is contributes to methane gas production.  Two college students started Revive Foods to fight the waste of perfectly good unattractive food.  Revive Foods makes jams from "cosmetically challenged" fruit.

PR firm My Young Auntie helped many foodies and the public at large to see the awesomeness that is Kale.  It would be amazing to see image consulting for cosmetically challenged fruit and vegetables.  These vegetable would not only feed hungry people but also benefit the environment.  What do good books, ugly vegetables, and true friends have in common?  They should be valued for what's on the inside.    

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