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October 12, 2008 |
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March of Dimes Deserving special mention is APPA's relationship with the March of Dimes and what it has become. It is the type of promotional program that has captured the excitement of all growers. Because of the magnitude this partnership has become, an overview of the history and projects is included. In 1997, the Alabama Chapter of the March of Dimes approached APPA about possible cooperative projects. The national office encouraged state chapters to capitalize on the national partnership that existed with the Florida Department of Citrus because of the folic acid campaign. Recognizing peanuts as also being a good source of folate they contended that Alabama would benefit more from promoting a instate product. From these discussions the partnership grew from Alabama to the southeast through the Peanut Advisory Board to a major project of the National Peanut Board. As a result our Alabama's involvement several significant health statements have resulted. First, the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta supported peanuts as a good source of folic acid. Secondly, the March of Dimes has taken a formal position supporting the safety of peanuts in regards to the allergy issue. APPA/March of Dimes Partnership Activities and Highlights (Other cooperating organizations are noted)
Folic Acid is very important….just listen to these comments from some of our U.S. Congressional wives... "Statistics are currently showing that for every 1,000 babies born alive in the state of Alabama, 10.2 diet before their first birthday. Although such a finding is devastating, I do take great pride in being a resident of a state that grows a healthy, and nutritional product - peanuts - which is improving the health of babies and preventing certain birth defects. I salute the peanut growers of Alabama and the March of Dimes for working together to help reduce such statistics." Mary Sessions Wife of U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions "I grew up in Coffee County, Alabama, peanut country and home of the Boll Weevil monument. Though at that time we did not know of a connection between low levels of folic acid and spinal and brain birth defects, we certainly ate a lot of peanuts. Now that research has established a link, our challenge is to educate all women of childbearing age about the importance of folic acid in fetal development. We also need to get out the message that vitamin supplements and a diet rich in folic acid will reduce the incidence of the birth defects and make possible happy, healthy lives for many." Annette Shelby Wife of U.S. Senator Richard Shelby "The efforts to promote benefits of folic acid are very important to me. Robert and I proudly celebrate our daughter Mary Elliot's birthday each year. During my pregnancy, I knew the importance folic acid played in her development. A frequent snack for me was peanut butter. I am a great peanut butter fan and turned to it often for a snack, knowing the folic acid was good for my developing baby." Caroline Aderholt Wife of U.S. Congressman Robert Aderholt "Most women only get half of the folic acid they need everyday. For women in childbearing age, an act as simple as taking a daily multi-vitamin and eating foods like peanuts, rich in natural folate, may prevent a very serious birth defect known as neural tube defects. Folic acid deficiency causes this defect in 2,500 babies every year, but it doesn't have to. It is a privilege to participated in the March of Dimes campaign to reduce neural tube defects." Linda Bachus Wife of U.S. Congressman Spencer Bachus "As an Alabamian concerned about our state's high infant mortality rate, I am proud to join the Alabama March of Dimes and our state's peanut producers in urging all expectant mothers to seek a healthy diet including the essential B vitamin folic acid commonly found in peanut products." Barbara Everett Wife of U.S. Congressman Terry Everett |
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