ORLANDO, FL – Produce for Kids celebrated with partners last evening at the annual Produce for Kids reception at the Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure asking the crowd of more than 200, “What’s Your Cause?” The “What’s Your Cause?” theme for the evening stems from Produce for Kid’s efforts to help the industry better understand the need and value of cause marketing campaigns.
Trish James, vice president of Produce for Kids and CMO Shuman Farms, addressed the crowd, “Today’s shoppers not only gravitate towards brands that give back, they are starting to expect and demand that brands do so.” James continued, “To reach these shoppers it is important for brands to define their cause in an age where consumers are expecting brands, companies and corporations to help make our world a better place by supporting a cause.”
Guests were encouraged to use the #WhatsYourCause hashtag throughout the reception and remainder of Southern Exposure hinging off of the chalk art, created by renowned 3-D chalk artist Shawn McCann, to be displayed at the Produce for Kids booth on Saturday. For each photo taken at the Produce for Kids booth with the #WhatsYourCause art, Produce for Kids will donate one meal to Feeding America. An additional meal will be donated by posting the photo to social media using the hashtag.
John Shuman, president and CEO of Shuman Farms and founder of Produce for Kids, opened the reception and Greg Higgerson, vice president of development at Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, addressed the audience in regards to the state of childhood hunger in the Orlando area benefits from the Produce for Kids Publix campaigns.
“Through our cause marketing campaigns at Produce for Kids, we have raised $6.7 million for families in need since 2002 and $278,000 in 2018 alone,” continued James. “We are extremely excited to celebrate our generous partners this evening.”
Large checks were presented for each 2018 retail and Power Your Lunchbox campaign which included Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG) Springfield Division, Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG) Gulf Coast Division, Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG) Oklahoma Division, Military Produce Group, Meijer Food Stores and Publix Super Markets.
In 2019 Produce for Kids retail partners include Allegiance Retail Services, AWG Springfield Division, AWG Oklahoma Division, AWG Gulf Coast Division, C&S Wholesale Grocers, Giant, Military Produce Group, Publix Super Markets and United Supermarkets. In addition, Mission for Nutrition and the sixth annual Power Your Lunchbox program will launch in August 2019 to kick-off the school year.
###
Editors Note: Email amanda@produceforkids.com for additional retail check presentation photos.
Pictured in attached photo from left to right:
Tanya Edwards -Avocados From Mexico
Gregg Higgerson – Second Harvest Central Florida
John Shuman-Shuman Farms
Sean Strady- Ventura Foods
Jeff Boggs- Publix
Erika Desoust -Wonderful
Trish James – Produce for Kids
Chuck Sardo- Ventura Foods
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 $6.7 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 Shuman Farms, Inc.
Headquartered in the center of the Vidalia® growing region in southeast Georgia, family-owned Shuman Farms has been in the sweet onion industry for more than 30 years. Today, Shuman Farms is a leading grower and shipper of sweet onions. For more information, visit shumanfarms.com
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.
