The Grain Foods Foundation (GFF), Ridgeway, Colo., launched its Brown Bag Club campaign this month with a satellite media tour in New York City with Kate Gosselin of TLC's Jon & Kate Plus Eight. Gosselin and GFF will conduct a national publicity tour to promote the value of packing a lunch that includes whole grains.

Americans are expected to consume 8.5 million brown bag lunches this year, according to the NPD Group, a market research group. About two-thirds of women pack a lunch for themselves, according to a recent Harris Interactive study conducted for GFF. More than 37 percent or one-third of women said they planned to pack a lunch more often this year than in the past. The economy is a big driver with 81 percent of women saying money is the primary reason they pack a lunch.

“Grains are an ideal choice at lunch since they provide much-needed energy and sustenance to make it through the day,” said Judi Adams, president of GFF. “Plus, grain foods, such as sandwiches, pretzels, crackers and granola bars, are convenient, delicious and portable, making them brown bag-friendly.

To demonstrate the kind of impact consumers might see on their wallets and waistlines, GFF created an online savings tool at www.grainpower.org for consumers to track the financial and caloric savings of packing a lunch.