IMMOKALEE, Fla. – Lipman — North America’s largest field tomato grower— recently distributed more than 1,200 backpacks filled with school supplies to Immokalee elementary and middle school students at a community event at the Immokalee Sports Complex.
“We look forward to our backpack distribution event every year because it’s such a meaningful way to give back to the families and children in the Immokalee community,” said Jaime Weisinger, community relations director for Lipman. “Encouraging education is very important to us, and we hope to serve even more children in the coming years.”
Funds to purchase the backpacks and school supplies were collected during the produce company’s “Homerun Harvest” softball tournament, held each April. Sponsors included Everglades Farm Equipment, Bronco Packaging, Aljoma Lumber, Bruno Air Conditioning, Immokalee Produce Shippers, and Produce Connection.
In addition to the backpack distribution, more than 30 local organizations provided information and services to families during the event, including Habitat for Humanity; Immokalee Friendship House; Naples Shelter for Abused Women and Children; University of Florida/IFAS Extension; Health Care Network of Southwest Florida/Marion Fether Medical Center; Susan G. Komen Network; Imaginarium Science Center; Boys & Girls Club of Collier County, and PACE Center for Girls. Representatives from the Immokalee Fire Control District displayed emergency vehicles, and the Sheriff’s Department’s Crime Prevention Unit provided educational materials.
For more information about Lipman, visit www.lipmanproduce.com.
About Lipman
Based in Immokalee, Fla., Lipman is the largest open field tomato grower in North America, providing dependable year-round fresh produce through an integrated network of research & development, farming, processing, and repacking. Farms in Florida, South Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, California and Mexico – totaling tens of thousands of acres – allow Lipman to grow and ship fresh produce 365 days a year. For more information, visit www.LipmanProduce.com
Source: Lipman
