Building a Whole Grain Generation: aligning policy and industry innovation for healthier diets from the earliest stages  

Join the 7th International Whole Grain Day Celebration!

Despite strong evidence of their health benefits, whole grain consumption remains far below recommended levels globally, especially among children. Yet whole grains play a key role in reducing chronic disease risk, supporting gut health, and promoting lifelong healthy eating habits.

This year’s event highlights the power of innovation to make whole grains more appealing, convenient, and fun for children. Real change requires supportive policies, inclusive school procurement standards, and stronger consumer education, areas often overlooked in current frameworks.

The event will bring together policymakers, health experts, industry, and civil society to explore how we can build a 'Whole Grain Generation'. Through smart regulation, collaboration, and product innovation, we can make whole grains an easy, attractive part of daily life from a young age.

To mark International Whole Grain Day, the Fortified Whole Grain Alliance (FWGA) will raise awareness and spotlight the growing momentum across Africa to increase production and consumption of fortified whole grains. Activities will include a month-long digital campaign highlighting the health, economic and environmental benefits of whole grains, a LinkedIn webinar on the integration of fortified whole grains into school meals, and a celebration of key milestones, highlighting Rwanda’s leadership in integrating fortified whole grains into national school feeding and the private sector’s role in driving this shift. Efforts that reflect a deepening commitment to improving diets across the continent.

The Grains and Legumes Nutrition Council (GLNC) is proud to celebrate Whole Grain Day as part of Whole Grain Week, from the 17th to 23rd of November. This year’s theme, Whole Grains for a Whole Future, highlights the role whole grains play in supporting a healthier today and a better tomorrow.

To mark Whole Grain Day, we’re hosting a special breakfast event for health professionals at the inspiring OzHarvest Refettorio in Sydney, a zero-waste, social impact collaboration that gives back to the community. The event will feature expert speakers sharing the latest insights on the health benefits of whole grains and exploring the barriers and enablers to increasing whole grain consumption.

Throughout the week, we’ll also be sharing:
• Evidence-based resources for health professionals
• Engaging content across social media
• A dedicated webinar
• And more! 

The Oldways Whole Grains Council will be organizing a webinar about heritage grains and local grain economies in collaboration with researchers from the University of Minnesota for International Whole Grain Day. We’ll be exploring how regional networks of farmers, millers, bakers, and consumers can support more resilient, sustainable food systems that emphasize a diversity of grains consumed in their whole form to maximize nutrition and flavor. The session will highlight the economic, environmental, and nutritional advantages of strengthening local grain infrastructure, alongside fresh consumer data from the 2025 WGC Consumer Insights Survey that sheds light on public awareness, interest, and demand for locally grown whole grain products.

You can watch the recording of the 2023 Whole Grain Day Webinar at the button, and you can view the final slide deck HERE.