. When these two non-profit organizations set out to educate consumers about and promote excitement for the vast world of fruits and vegetables, they approached our long-time collaborator Devine & Pearson Communications to help them achieve their online vision. In turn, we were contacted to create site functionality that would fuel their design, development, and interactivity initiatives. The solution was found in several of our customized web applications.
Our task was cut out to transform a multitude of diverse information into a dynamic resource that could be easily maintained and navigated. We began by constructing a searchable produce database and a separate searchable recipe database. A search is enabled by selecting a specific produce name or a combination of produce/meal characteristics, including a keyword search. These search options facilitate the extraction of tailored produce information from an extensive database.
As a means of enhancing the promotional affects of the site, we created features to encourage return visits and to place emphasis on select information. Visitors are greeted with a random "Fun Fact" and an updateable "In the News" section where recent produce news, along with trivia, can be found. Recipes from the database are highlighted and promoted through the capability to e-mail a recipe to a friend or to sign up for an e-mail club to receive recipes on a regular basis (monthly or weekly).
The simplicity with which visitors are able to locate their information, is only matched by the administrative interface where site content can be easily and frequently added and updated. In addition to this simple maintenance, both The Produce Marketing Association, and The Produce for Better Health Foundation can monitor email activity with a recipe club activity report. This provides elaborate details on recipe database activity, recipe e-mail subscription activity, consumer recipe e-mail mailing activity, and foodservice recipe e-mail mailing activity.
The resulting Web Site is a compelling resource for consumers to effectively locate and share all facets of produce. Industry experts concurred as AboutProduce.com was presented with the "2002 WebAward for Outstanding Achievement in Website Development." Among the many acknowledgements, judges celebrated the site's organization, searchability, content, and navigation. Whether exploring mangos, plums, or the chicory vs. endive saga, AboutProduce.com is built with the capacity to inform, teach, and promote a healthier diet for all who visit the Web Site.
