WATSONVILLE, Calif. – Since its inception in 2014, the Tour de Fresh cycling event, presented by The California Giant Foundation, is proud to announce that nearly half-a-million dollars has been raised to support Salad Bars to Schools. Combined fundraising totals to-date is $435,000, placing 192 salad bars in schools across the country and providing tens of thousands of students the opportunity to choose fresh produce every day.
This year’s goal is to privately-finance 50 salad bars in school districts registered through Salad Bars to Schools, which is possible by raising at least $156,000 by July. Each of this year’s 50+ riders has a personal goal to raise $3,500 which presents an opportunity for the industry to come together and support this rewarding cause.
“We’re excited for the opportunity to have another record-breaking year with the 2017 signature event,” said Cindy Jewell, vice president of marketing for California Giant Berry Farms and The California Giant Foundation. “To say that our industry came together and raised more than half-a-million dollars for a cause that we wholeheartedly stand behind would be tremendously rewarding.”
The opportunity to support Tour de Fresh is ripe since fundraising is still in the preliminary phase. By supporting Tour de Fresh riders or the general California Giant Foundation fund, this year’s goal will be met to bring the total to over 240 salad bars in schools across the country collectively, which grants tens of thousands of students access to fresh fruits and vegetables each day.
“With a healthy start to fundraising for this year’s event, I know we can count on the support of colleagues in the industry to propel us past that goal and well over the half-a million dollar mark,” Jewell adds.
Fundraising opportunities will be available for the next two months leading up to the signature event beginning July 25, with multiple ways for colleagues, family and friends to support the cause. Even after the event, fundraising will continue until all the salad bars are funded.
Opportunities to donate and help riders reach their goals include:
- Friends and Family – Ask personally and post on social media using this link:http://www.tourdefresh.com/riders.php.
- Company incentives – offering raffles, prizes, team lunches, time off, etc. for those who donate.
- Industry partnerships – asking for support from buyers, suppliers, etc.
- Business partnerships – ask local businesses in your area to donate tax-free.
For more information about the Tour de Fresh, please visit www.tourdefresh.com or contact Beth Atkinson atbatkinson@dma-solutions.com.
About Tour de Fresh
Tour de Fresh, presented by The California Giant Foundation, is the first-of-its-kind, collaborative event that unites the most significant brands and influencers in the fresh produce industry for a three-day cycling event that raises funds to benefit the Salad Bars to Schools campaign. In its first two years (2014-2015), Tour de Fresh received over $300,000 in donations to support the placement of more than 100 salad bars in schools across the country. At a cost of $3,125 per salad bar per school, sponsors and participants alike strongly believe that providing healthy eating opportunities for school children should be a requirement.
About Salad Bars to Schools
Salad Bars to Schools is a public health campaign to increase salad bars in schools across the country so that every child has the choice of healthy fruits and vegetables every day at school. Salad Bars to Schools supports Michelle Obama's Let's Move! initiative to end childhood obesity in a generation. Salad Bars to Schools founding partners are: The United Fresh Start Foundation, National Fruit and Vegetable Alliance, the Chef Ann Foundation and Whole Kids Foundation. More information can be found online at www.saladbars2schools.org.
Source: Tour de Fresh
