Dieticians & Nutritionists Concerned Economic Downturn Will
Effect Patient Health and Diets.

FRESNO, Ca, December 8, 2008 — Over 56% of American Dietetic Association members surveyed report that they are concerned that the current economic downturn will have a negative effect on their patients' ability to maintain or achieve a healthy weight, according to a survey conducted by the California Olive Committee.

Almost three-quarters (72.2%) of the registered dieticians and nutritionists expressed concern that the economic downturn would create financial obstacles to their patients’ ability to purchase or afford healthy foods; while over 66% indicated concern that the economy would create emotional distractions to their patients’ abilities to maintain their prescribed diets or programs.

A majority of the dieticians also indicated that the economy is creating differences in their own lives, with almost 60% indicating they had personally made modifications in their own grocery purchases.

The Internet based survey was answered by 492 American Dietetic Association members during the week prior to the annual Food & Nutrition Conference, which took place October 25-28. It was conducted by the California Olive Committee, which represents the growers and canners of California Black Ripe Olives.

The California Olive Industry suggests that penny pinching recipes can taste like a million, including Spinach Olive Bread Pudding, Chicken Chile Mac 'n Cheese, Parmesan Baked Pasta, and Country Pot Roast and Countryside Grain Salad. There is a searchable database for these and hundreds of others at http://www.calolive.org/recipes/index.aspx.

The California Olive Committee is comprised of two canneries and thousands of family farmers, who raise olives on about 27,000 acres of orchards that crisscross the warm inland valleys of California. California produces over 95% of the olives grown in the US.

The full survey and all stats and charts can be viewed at:     www.calolive.org/ADAsurvey