ORLANDO, Fla. – The fourth bi-annual Power Your Lunchbox Pledge™ by Produce for Kids®, encouraging families and classrooms to eat more nutritious lunches and make healthy choices this school year, kicks off on Aug. 7 and runs through Sept. 22. Power Your Lunchbox Pledge partner brands will collectively donate $1 for every pledge taken to Feeding America® programs that impact children and families, adding to the near 660,000 meals* provided to Feeding America in previous years.
New this year, Produce for Kids has partnered with The World of Eric Carle and its collection of children’s books as an added element to encourage classroom pledges. Elementary and preschool classrooms who take the pledge will be entered to win an Eric Carle reading nook for their classroom. Teachers can access Eric Carle and Produce for Kids-themed activities and lesson plans atpoweryourlunchbox.com/teachers. In addition to the classroom element, every day between Aug. 7 and Sept. 22, Produce for Kids will give away a popular Eric Carle book, like Brown Bear, Brown Bear and The Very Hungry Caterpillar, to an individual who has taken the pledge.
Produce for Kids is also welcoming the program’s first official media partner, Macaroni Kid. Macaroni Kid is a hyper-local digital publishing company, engaging with more than 2 million families across 5,000 communities in 47 states. The pledge will be featured in the National edition of Macaroni Kid Eats along with digital display ads on the homepage, which will run in Aug. and Sept. and connect Macaroni Kid website visitors back to poweryourlunchbox.com.
“Families are looking for ways to start the year off on the right foot and the Power Your Lunchbox Pledge offers everything they need in one spot,” said Trish James, vice president, Produce for Kids. “Families want to know their kids are receiving the right brain food to get them through the day. Our registered dietitian-approved meal inspiration, tips and ideas provide the foundation families need for success.”
Anyone in the Twitterverse can jump in on the #PowerYourLunchbox Twitter party conversation on Aug. 17 at 4 p.m. ET. The party will be focused on everything related to fueling kids’ minds and bodies for back to school. Families can win back-to-school prizes including lunchboxes, lunchbox notes, gadgets and more.
Again this year, retail dietitians will join pledge efforts by sharing Power Your Lunchbox Pledge news with shoppers and gathering pledges at in-store and school events. Several retail dietitians are planning in-store events and giveaways around the pledge.
Power Your Lunchbox sponsor NatureFresh™ Farms will be offering shoppers the chance to take the pledge as part of their Mobile Greenhouse tour during the campaign timeframe. iPads and healthy lunchbox takeaways will be available at the Mobile Greenhouse
As in previous years, Power Your Lunchbox partners will make a collective $1 donation for each pledge taken to support Feeding America programs that benefit children and families struggling with hunger. Partners are showcased in kid-friendly and registered dietitian-approved lunchbox, snack and dinner recipes on poweryourlunchbox.com, featured in e-newsletters and included in food blogger outreach during the campaign timeframe.
“To date, Power Your Lunchbox Pledge has raised nearly 660,000 meals for Feeding America,” continued James. “It’s important that during the hustle and bustle of back to school, we don’t forget that there are many families who are dealing with hunger and need extra support.”
Likeminded brands supporting the Power Your Lunchbox Pledge 2017 include: Avocados From Mexico, Bee Sweet Citrus, Crispy Green®, Earthbound Farm®, The World of Eric Carle®, GROW Bananas by Organics Unlimited, NatureFresh™ Farms, Pero Family Farms®, Sun World®, Vegy Vida® Dips ‘n More and Zespri® Kiwifruit.
The Power Your Lunchbox Pledge started in 2014 to help families during the back-to-school season. Past programs have been awarded Marketing Excellence Awards from Produce Business.
Note: Power Your Lunchbox images can be found here.
* $1 helps provide 11 meals secured by Feeding America® on behalf of local member food banks
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About Produce for Kids
Produce for Kids® believes in creating a healthier generation. As a cause marketing organization, Produce for Kids creates programs that provide easy, fun, and inspiring recipes. Since its creation in 2002 by Shuman Produce Inc., Produce for Kids has raised more than $6 million to benefit children and families. To learn more about Produce for Kids and healthy eating, visit www.produceforkids.com, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or Instagram.
About Feeding America®
Feeding America is the nationwide network of 200 food banks that leads the fight against hunger in the United States. Together, we provide food to more than 46 million people through 60,000 food pantries and meal programs in communities across America. Feeding America also supports programs that improve food security among the people we serve; educates the public about the problem of hunger; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry. Individuals, charities, businesses and government all have a role in ending hunger. Donate. Volunteer. Advocate. Educate. Together we can solve hunger. Visit www.feedingamerica.org, find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
Source: Produce for Kids