Orlando, FL – Produce for Kids has been recognized as a Feeding America® Guiding Partner this year as a result of Produce for Kids efforts during the 2015-2016 Feeding America fiscal year. During this timeframe, Produce for Kids programs such as retail in-store campaigns, Power Your Lunchbox Pledge® and the Produce for Kids cookbook supplied Feeding America with more than 2.8 million meals.
Feeding America identifies Guiding Partners who are key contributors to Feeding America’s strategic investments. With the donations from Guiding Partners, Feeding America is able to support a network of 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries and meal programs and provide meals to families in every community in our nation.
Produce for Kids is being recognized along with 22 other Guiding Partners and will be highlighted along with these partners during 2017 on the Feeding America website and through other promotional opportunities with the organization.
“Our president, John Shuman, started Produce for Kids with a vision to give back,” said Trish James, vice president at Produce for Kids. “This recognition from Feeding America offers an opportunity to stop and reflect on the impact Produce for Kids along with our retail and produce partners have made over the years. We can also get excited about what the future holds.”
Since 2002, Produce for Kids has raised $5.9 million for children and families in need, more than $408,000 of that going back to Feeding America in the past three years. Produce for Kids intends to raise even more before the end of 2016 as the Publix Produce for Kids campaign closes Oct. 26 and with a holiday meal drive hosted on the Produce for Kids Facebook and Instagram pages. Most recently, the back to school Power Your Lunchbox Pledge was able to provide 238,414 meals.
“Our partners give generously of their time, funds, and food and grocery products to help provide assistance to 46 million Americans,” said Nancy Curby interim senior vice president of development at Feeding America. “We are happy to count on Produce for Kids as a Guiding Partner. Their efforts are making a real difference in the lives of the families we serve.”
Current Produce for Kids retail partners that execute campaigns benefitting Feeding America include ACME Markets, Associated Wholesale Grocers Oklahoma, Price Chopper and Publix. In addition, Produce for Kids works with partner produce companies to give $1 back for every pledge made during the Power Your Lunchbox Pledge.
Feeding America Guiding Partners contribute $250,000 or 2.5 million pounds or $150,000 and 1.5 million pounds of food and grocery products to Feeding America over one fiscal year.
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*Each $1 donated to the national office of Feeding America during the Feeding America fiscal year (July 1, 2016-June 30, 2017). provided 11 meals. Produce for Kids secured $254,590 (2,800,490 meals).
About Produce for Kids®
Produce for Kids® is a philanthropically based organization that brings the produce industry together to educate consumers about healthy eating with fresh produce and raises funds for local children’s non-profit organizations. Since its creation in 2002 by Shuman Produce Inc., Produce for Kids has raised more than $5.9 million to benefit kids. 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®
