Image courtesy of the American Pecan Council
 
Pecans are much more than just a baking ingredient. That’s the point that the pecan industry wants to get across to consumers, as the American Pecan Council has announced a national campaign to spread the word about its year-round availability and versatility.

The goal is to get Americans to think about pecans in a whole new way. Not just for seasonal pies and desserts, pecans can be used in a variety of applications.

“The American pecan industry has a rich history dating back centuries and a powerful story that is largely untold – our goal is to change that,” says Mike Adams, a Texas pecan grower and chairperson of the American Pecan Council – a new organization formed as a result of a Federal Marketing Order (FMO) for pecans approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 2016. “Other nuts, to their credit, have benefited from large consumer campaigns for decades. Now, we want to shine a light on our industry that has come together to share the story of the American Pecan.”

The marketing campaign includes digital media, social media, and media partnerships that will focus on pecan recipes that are easy to shop for and manage.

Image courtesy of the American Pecan Council
 
Additionally, the new national campaign will focus on three major points:

  1. Nutrition – Pecans are nutrient dense and have many heart benefits. They contain “good” monounsaturated fats, plant protein, fiber, flavonoids, and essential minerals like copper, manganese, and zinc.
  2. Versatility – Pecans make for an easy snack on their own, but can also be used in trail mixes, oatmeal, yogurt parfaits, salads, dips, and much more.
  3. Local – Pecans are harvested in 15 states throughout the country. They are the only major tree nut eaten in the U.S. that is indigenous to America.

The campaign kicks off during April’s National Pecan Month with a pecan pop-up in New York City. “The Not Pie Shop” will feature a full pecan menu (no pies) with products ranging from pecan milk, pecan butter, and pecan oil, to pecan snacks and meals. There will also be cooking demonstrations conducted by superfood experts.

“I'm thrilled to help unveil one of the best-kept superfood secrets,” says Dawn Jackson Blatner, registered dietitian, author of The Superfood Swap, and one of the experts that will be doing demonstrations at the pop-up. “Pecans have been overlooked for years, so it's time to recognize pecans as a supernut. They're packed with valuable nutrients that we need every day, and there are so many different, delicious ways to enjoy them.”

“We are excited about deservingly earning a role on the national stage with our sister tree nuts. The health-conscious consumer is the real beneficiary of eating a natural food that is authentically local, powerfully nutritious, and truly delicious – the American Pecan,” says Mike Adams.