Morgan Hill, CA – On March 5, 2015, the Rosemead School District Board of Trustees recognized Tour de Fresh cyclist, Ron Cramer, sponsored by Sakata Seed America, for raising $4,233 to support the Let’s Bring Salad Bars 2 Schools initiative, a program that brings salad bars to schools throughout America.
Cramer was given the ability to choose which school district he’d like to support, and opted to raise money for the Rosemead School District, due to its proximity to his hometown of Fallbrook, California. To reach his fundraising goal, Cramer cycled from Carmel to Anaheim, a four day, 275-mile ride with an over 9,000 foot elevation gain in October 2014. In exchange for his difficult feat, Cramer succeeded in raising $4,233 to donate solely to new salad bars for his chosen school district, and in March 2015, his efforts were ultimately rewarded when Emma W. Shuey Elementary School of the Rosemead School District unveiled a beautiful new salad bar for its students and faculty.
“It is so important that we show school children and adults that enjoying more fresh fruits and vegetables is not a sacrifice we make to be more healthy, but that with good access to a broad selection coupled with creative preparation, they are as delicious (or more!) than less healthy choices,” stated Cramer, whose personal favorites include asparagus, carrots and raspberries.
The children are responding extremely positively to their new lunchroom addition. “The salad bar’s choices keep you strong and healthy,” states Alicia O., student at Shuey Elementary. The faculty is equally thankful, “when students see the new salad bar, they run to it to see what’s inside. It’s like a wonderful treasure box of fresh healthy fruits and vegetables. Students try new fruits and vegetables because they see their friends eating it. The energy and conversation around the salad bar is always happy and animated,” exclaims Principal Brydle, “We are so appreciative and thankful for the support we have received from Sakata Seed and Mr. Cramer. The new salad bar has re-energized lunch at Shuey School.”
Sakata’s Tour de Fresh sponsorship can be attributed to the company’s Charitable Giving program. “Corporate giving is one important way that Sakata works to enrich the communities where we conduct business, says Dave Armstrong, president-CEO of Sakata Seed America. “Our goals are to assist those who are working to better their communities and to educate individuals on the benefits of a healthy life-style, to which our products contribute.”
Sakata strives to have a positive, healthy and sustainable impact on people, communities and food. The company seeks to assist in building sustainable communities by focusing its human and financial resources on nutrition, health and the environment.
Overall, the Tour de Fresh cyclists raised over $124,303 for United Fresh Start Foundation’s Let’s Move Salad Bars 2 Schools Campaign. 41 racers sponsored by companies throughout the produce industry donated over 40 salad bars to schools in 11 different states, including California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Texas, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. This tradition will continue prior to PMA Fresh Summit 2015, when riders will take on a challenging 300-mile ride from North Carolina to Atlanta, Georgia. Sponsorship opportunities are available now at www.tourdefresh.com!
To learn more about Ron Cramer’s ride and reasoning, watch the video.
Source: Sakata Seed America
