Take A Fruit Break Campaign

[Guest guest]

I sit and think about the problem of obesity which has recently been declared a national "epidemic" by our government as the number one killer in America. I think of all the kids out there who have serious health problems related to obesity like juvenile diabetes, heart disease and cancer, all of which are at record highs. I think about all the junk food advertising kids see on TV and I wonder how we can allow these businesses to peddle junk to our kids? Why don't we just outlaw it? But of course, we can't. These businesses are made up of regular people who are simply supplying the demand for these products. Collectively, they may look like a big monster, but maybe the monster is inside us, in our desire for these harmful foods. So, how do we change the desire? How do we go to the root of the problem at the desire level? Why don't we crave an orange when we need energy and are thirsty? Why don't we buy an apple, a mango, a bunch of juicy grapes? Maybe the reason we don't buy the fruit is the fact that it hasn't been properly marketed. We are all conditioned by our society to respond to certain colorful packaging and presentation. Moreover we are all subtly influenced by the ever-present advertising on TV, the movies, radio, magazines, newspapers, road-sides and the Internet. We are masterfully influenced by advertising agencies who have perfected the "art of influence" over the span of almost 100 years and many billions if not trillions of dollars. Even as wise adults we are obviously susceptible to this advertising, this "machine". But as children, we don't stand a chance against this "programming".So what can we do? As a person who has been working in marketing, advertising, and the media for almost 20 years, I feel that there is only one thing we can do.And that is to USE the machinery to promote completely natural fresh vital alive healthy foods the same way that junk food is promoted! To use the ad agencies, use the technology, use the celebrities, use the media. To create an ad campaign that stands out, that stands alone, that is so ever-present on Saturday morning cartoons, on MTV and everywhere kids go, that pretty soon when kids get hungry, they will crave an apple instead of a candy bar. When they get thirsty they will ask for an orange instead of a soda pop. We have chosen to call this campaign "Take A Fruit Break". We have chosen to promote fruit because it is something that everybody can relate to. No matter what diet they follow, people generally agree that eating fruit is good for you. And it is something that kids are naturally drawn to. We are committed to making this campaign as big as the "got milk", "obey your thirst", and "coke adds life" campaigns within 5 years. To make this happen we are taking it to the people directly. To you. If you would like to see this campaign happen, if you would rather see your child eat a piece of fruit than a candy bar, if you would like the food corporations to upgrade their product, then you can really truly help! With the Internet we can actually make a difference, because now we ARE the media! Here are three simple things that you can do to help:1. We need your time: Send this email on to as many of your contacts as you can (at least 2, please!)2. We need your money: Visit http://www.takeafruitbreak.com to donate $1 and thereby help us to buy these TV spots. You will also thereby instantly receive our ebook: "30 fresh organic 100% fruit and vegetable recipes loved by both adults and kids". (And we'll put your face in a fruit break commercial too)!3. We need your body: Join our online community -http://communities.msn.com/TakeAFruitBreak/homepageYour vote counts! Joining (even if you don't participate) is like signing a petition to stop junk food advertising to kids. For more information visit http://www.TakeAFruitBreak.com Thank you for your help!!!Johanna (Jinjee) TaliferoProgram CoordinatorEkaya Institute15-180 Central Rd. Suite 235Duncan, BC Canada V9L 4X6phone 250-715-0133johannahttp://www.TakeAFruitBreak.com