- Categories:
- Food & Beverage
- Tags:
- Healthy FoodVegetable
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- First Wednesday of October
- Holiday emoji:
- 🥬
National Kale Day arrives every first Wednesday in October, shining a spotlight on this nutrient-dense superfood. It’s a fantastic opportunity to explore kale’s culinary versatility and incredible health benefits. Join the movement to incorporate more kale into your diet, try new recipes, and share your favorite green creations.
Want to sponsor National Kale Day? Learn how
Expected National Kale Day Deals
While we wait for official 2027 promotions to drop, history shows that health food stores, grocery chains, and juice bars often offer special deals for National Kale Day. Look for discounts on fresh kale at stores like Whole Foods Market and Trader Joe’s. Smoothie and juice shops such as Jamba Juice and Nekter Juice Bar may feature kale-infused beverages. Online meal kit services like Blue Apron and HelloFresh might highlight kale-centric recipes. Additionally, brands like Earthbound Farm Organic could run social media campaigns with recipe ideas. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as October approaches.
Platform Guide for National Kale Day
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NationalKaleDay. Share vibrant photos of your kale dishes, smoothies, or garden harvests to inspire others.
TikTok
Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #NationalKaleDay. Film quick, creative videos showcasing kale recipes, health tips, or fun facts about the superfood.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #NationalKaleDay. Post about your favorite kale benefits, share healthy recipes, or organize a community cooking challenge.
National Kale Day Hero
Dr. Drew Ramsey
History of National Kale Day
Originating in Asia Minor and the eastern Mediterranean, kale was cultivated for consumption as early as 2000 B.C. Cabbage variants with curly leaves were in supply in 400 B.C. Greece, alongside the flat-leaved ones. These early variants are said to be the predecessors of what we now call kale. The Romans called it Sabellian kale.
The first mention of cabbages in western Europe emerged in the 1200s and was concerned with hard-headed cabbage. Records from the 1300s highlight the differences between loose-leafed kale and hard-headed cabbage.
In the 1800s, Russian traders brought kale into Canada and subsequently the United States. David Fairchild, a USDA botanist, gets the credit for introducing kale to America. He brought it from Croatia despite disliking cabbages, kale included. The easy nature of cultivation and its affordability were responsible for its popularity in Croatia. Desalination of soil was another great benefit.
During the Second World War, the Dig for Victory campaign promoted kale cultivation in Britain. At the time, the vegetable was the perfect candidate for cultivation because it provided crucial nutrients lacking from meals due to rationing. Kale was used typically for decoration in the U.S. It gained recognition as an edible food during the 1990s because of its rich nutritional value.
The 2010s saw kale gain popularity; becoming a diet favorite despite other vegetables being just as rich in nutrients. National Kale Day was founded by Chef Jennifer Iserloh and Dr. Drew Ramsey to celebrate the health benefits of kale and its many culinary applications. They entered a petition at Change.org aimed at giving the observance legitimacy.
National Kale Day timeline
Kale is cultivated for food for the first time in Asia Minor and the eastern Mediterranean.
Records in Britain during the 1300s differentiate between loose-leaf kale and hard-head cabbage.
Russian traders introduce kale to Canada and then the United States.
Chef Jennifer Iserloh and Dr. Drew Ramsey create National Kale Day to celebrate the amazing vegetable.
How Businesses Can Celebrate National Kale Day
Local businesses can embrace National Kale Day by offering special menu items or promotions. Restaurants and cafes could feature kale-centric dishes, smoothies, or salads, highlighting the vegetable’s versatility. Grocery stores might host cooking demonstrations or offer discounts on organic kale. Health and wellness centers could share educational content about kale’s benefits, encouraging healthy eating habits within their communities.
National Kale Day FAQs
When is National Kale Day?
National Kale Day 2026 falls on Wednesday, October 7. This annual observance is held on the first Wednesday of October, celebrating the health benefits and culinary uses of this leafy green.
What are the health benefits of kale?
Kale is packed with vitamins K, A, and C, and is a good source of manganese, calcium, and dietary fiber. It’s known for its antioxidant properties and anti-inflammatory compounds, supporting overall wellness and boosting immunity.
How popular is kale in the US?
Kale’s popularity in the US has surged over the past decade, becoming a staple in health-conscious diets. It’s widely available in grocery stores and frequently featured in restaurant menus, reflecting its status as a beloved superfood.
What are the different types of kale?
Common types of kale include curly kale, known for its frilly leaves and slightly bitter taste, and Lacinato kale (also called dinosaur or Tuscan kale), which has dark, crinkly leaves and a milder flavor. Red Russian kale, with its flat, oak-like leaves, offers a sweeter, more tender option.
National Kale Day Activities
Host a kale party
There’s no party like a kale party! Throw a party at work or school and serve special kale-inspired dishes.
Host a potluck
Have a potluck at your home with friends and family. Attendees can bring their best kale dishes.
Share a recipe or serving tips
Share your favorite kale recipe on social media to add to the fun. Serving tips using kale are also in high demand.
5 Facts About Kale That Will Blow Your Mind
Huge calcium load
One serving of kale provides more absorbable calcium than you will find in a small-sized carton of milk.
Topping the charts
Between 2007 and 2015, kale farming increased by almost 60%.
Icky habits
Kale is among crops with the highest likelihood of holding residual pesticides.
Cancer repellent vegetable
Kale has significant amounts of cancer-fighting nutrients, such as glucosinolate phytonutrients, which offer protection against tumor growth and cancer-related enzymes.
Busy vegetable
Kale is an ingredient in skincare products and even nail polish.
Why We Love National Kale Day
Kale is a superfood
Kale is a superfood, providing high amounts of fiber, vitamin A, and antioxidants. What’s not to like?
It stays fresh
Kale is a hearty vegetable. It can last for one week in the refrigerator.
It’s cheap and accessible
Kale is among the easiest crops to cultivate and it is the perfect way to celebrate American farming.
National Kale Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | October 1 | Wednesday |
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