Reidsville, GA, (Jan. 12, 2011) – The final numbers are in and Produce for Kids® (PFK), an organization that promotes the benefits of healthy eating and supports worthy causes for children, raised more than $194,000 this fall as part of the “Eat Smart for a Great Start” campaign. The funds benefit PBS KIDS®, which provides content, resources and tools that support the positive development of the whole child – the cognitive, emotional, social and physical.
From September through October, four participating retailers, Publix Super Markets, Meijer, Price Chopper and GIANT and MARTIN’S Food Stores, partnered with fresh produce companies to make a monetary donation for specific fresh produce items purchased during the campaign period. All funds support PBS’ efforts to provide educational content, resources and outreach materials that promote healthy eating behavior among kids.
PFK also continued its annual nationwide teacher outreach as part of the 2010 fall campaign. The “Play with Your Produce Classroom Challenge” encouraged elementary students to be healthy by learning about and eating fresh produce.
“Our fall campaign made healthy eating a central topic of discussion and learning in classrooms and communities nationwide,” said Kim Lathbury, marketing director, Produce for Kids. “Together, PFK, PBS KIDS and our retailers and sponsors deliver engaging, interactive ways for kids to learn healthy eating habits that last a lifetime.”
The fall program also featured 12 new Ideal Meals recipes as well as resources and tools for parents and educators; fun games and activities for kids, as part of the PFK cause marketing campaign.
Participating produce suppliers/sponsors included: Cal-Organic FarmsTM Carrot Chips, Country Fresh MushroomsTM, Crunch Pak® Sliced Apples, Del Monte Gold® Extra Sweet Pineapple, DOLE® Fresh Vegetables and Packaged Salads, Earthbound Farm Organic Salads, Everybody’s Nuts® Salt & Pepper Pistachios, Fresh Express® Packaged Salads, Fruit2Day® Juices, Green Giant® Fresh Potatoes, Marie's® Dressing and Dip, Marzetti® Caramel Dip, Michigan Apple Committee Locally Grown Apples, Modern Farms® Mushrooms, Nature's Promise® Organic Packaged Salads, NatureSweet® Vine Ripened Cherry Tomatoes, Santa Sweets® Grape Tomatoes, Select One® Tomatoes on the Vine, RealSweet® Sweet Onions, Red Diamond Grape Tomatoes, Stemilt GrowersTM Apples and Organic Pears, Summeripe® Peaches and Nectarines, Sunkist® Valencia Oranges, SUNSET® Campari® Tomatoes and Tomatoes on the Vine, Thomas Colace Company Tomatoes, Topline® Hot House Tomatoes, Tomatoes on the Vine and Seedless Cucumbers, Welch's® Healthy Start 100% Juice, with additional support from Acosta Sales & Marketing and JOH Produce PA.
Source: Produce For Kids
