WASHINGTON, D.C. – The 2015 Tip Murphy Legacy Golf Tournament held Monday, August 17, 2015 at the Oasis Golf Club near Cincinnati, Ohio saw produce and retail representatives come together for an afternoon of golf and networking. The tournament raised $30,000 for the United Fresh Start Foundation’s programs to increase children's access to fresh fruits and vegetables.
Proceeds will be used to purchase salad bars for schools, supporting the United Fresh Start Foundation’s partnership in the Let’s Move Salad Bars to Schools initiative, as well as Foundation programs and activities to increase children’s access to healthy snack and meal choices.
“Thank you to everyone who came out to this year’s event. For the second year in a row we exceeded fundraising expectations and we’re pleased to be able to support the United Fresh Start Foundation and their work to provide salad bars to schools, said Bob Spence, Vice President, Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A., Inc. “This event continues to be an excellent opportunity to network with produce and retail colleagues, while honoring the legacy of our dear friend, and produce industry leader, Terrance “Tip” Murphy.”, Spence added.
This year’s event attracted retailers, wholesalers, shippers, growers and service providers from throughout the Midwest, with additional colleagues flying in from around the country. The event also featured two NFL Celebrity guests, Phil Villapiano, former Oakland Raiders linebacker and Steve Sylvester, former Raiders offensive lineman, both Superbowl winners who showed off their rings and assisted with this year’s raffle.
The United Fresh Start Foundation is committed to increasing children’s access to fresh fruits and vegetables and helping children achieve the public health goal to make half their plate fruits and vegetables in order to live longer and healthier lives. The Foundation works to create an environment in which kids have easy access to high-quality, great-tasting and affordable fresh fruits and vegetables, whenever and wherever they are choosing snacks or a meal.
To date, together with our partners in the Let’s Move Salad Bars to Schools initiative, salad bars have been donated to over 4,100 schools in all fifty states, benefitting nearly 3 million children every school day. Additionally, in June at United Fresh 2015, the Foundation hosted more than 50 of the nation’s largest and most influential school food buyers for The Produce Forum for School Success. This two-day program introduced leading K-12 school foodservice directors to new and innovative produce items geared toward children, combined with education on how best to manage their produce operations.
This year’s Tip Murphy Legacy Golf Tournament continues the mission of the Tip Murphy Advisory Committee, to honor the life and career of their dear friend, while raising funds for worthwhile produce industry causes. Terrence "Tip" Murphy, a 15-year veteran of the produce industry was division vice president of retail sales for Ready Pac Foods when he passed away unexpectedly in July 2008 at age 48. His career included 13 years with Chiquita Brands International.
The 2015 Tip Murphy Legacy Golf Tournament winners include:
1st Place
* Jim Warken, Chiquita Brands International, Inc.
* Jack Howell, Chiquita Brands International, Inc.
* Bill Piper, Grant County Foods
* Dan Floyd, Grant County Foods
2nd Place
* Adam Heick, Dole Food Company
* Brian Huh, The Kroger Company
* Chris Dreier, Dole Fresh Vegetables
* Mike Ross, The Kroger Company
3rd Place
* Dave Yeager, Farm Fresh Direct, LLC
* Todd Melton, Pero Family Farms
* Tony Harmon, Nathel International
* Mike Harmon, Farm Fresh Direct, LLC
For more information, visit http://www.unitedfresh.org/Tip_Murphy
For questions about the 2016 event or to renew a sponsorship, contact Dana Davis at (302) 750-4662 or danadavis@epix.net.
Source: United Fresh Produce Association
