WATSONVILLE, Calif. – Tour de Fresh, presented by The California Giant Foundation, takes place in less than two months and there is still an opportunity to join this event, dedicated to supporting the Salad Bars to Schools. On a mission to fuel the younger generations around the United States with delicious fresh fruits and vegetables, supporters from inside and outside the industry have raised a total of $46,684 this year with no sign of slowing down anytime soon.
The fifth annual ride is welcoming new sponsors for its entertaining finish line festival – which offers brands the opportunity to support this year’s event like never before. By sponsoring the finish line festival, brands have a chance to sample products in a 10×10 tent, meet face-to-face with local community members and industry colleagues, gain brand exposure by reaching trade and consumer media all at once in addition to recognition as aSalad Bars to Schools donor and mention in the Tour de Fresh media outreach.
“The finish-line festival idea was born from a deep desire to make this year’s event a party as we are celebrating a huge milestone together,” said Cindy Jewell, vice president of marketing at California Giant Berry Farms. “Our hope is to paint a visual for the local community and industry members that showcases what it means to be a part of the fresh produce industry – we come together and rally to support causes that have such a meaningful impact.”
While sponsoring the festival is an opportunity to take part in the Tour de Fresh event, making a donation to help fund the cost of placing a salad bar in schools is also a way to support the deeper meaning of the ride. Here are some ways to encourage fundraising over the next two months:
- Friends and Family – Ask personally for support and post on social media using this link:http://www.tourdefresh.com/riders.php.
- Company incentives – offering raffles, prizes, team lunches, time off, etc. for those who donate.
- Industry partnerships – asking for support from buyers, suppliers, etc.
- Business partnerships – ask local businesses in your area to donate tax-free.
Tour de Fresh would not be possible without support from its sponsors – Americold, And Now U Know, Atlas Produce, California Giant Berry Farms, CHEP, Church Brothers Farms, Coosemans Worldwide, Crunch Pak, C&S Wholesale Grocers, DMA Solutions, Duda Farm Fresh Foods, EBX Logistics, Emerson, Fight Like a Girl Foundation, Fresh Point, Fruit Growers Supply, Good Foods, iTrade Network, JAZZ Apple, Lipman Produce,Mann Packing, Markon, Mission Produce, Ocean Mist Farms, Okanagan Specialty Fruits, Oppenheimer, Pajaro Valley Fresh, ProAct, Produce Marketing Association, Renaissance Food Group, Robinson Fresh, Sakata Seed,Sunkist, Tanimura & Antle, Taylor Farms, Tsamma, United Fresh, Valley Produce, and Western Precooling.
For more information on how you can sponsor the finish-line festival and show your support, please visitwww.tourdefresh.com or contact the Tour de Fresh team directly at tdf@calgiant.com.
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About Tour de Fresh
Tour de Fresh, presented by The California Giant Foundation, is the first-of-its-kind, collaborative event that unites the most significant brands and influencers in the fresh produce industry for a four-day cycling event that raises funds to benefit theSalad Bars to Schools campaign. In its first four years (2014-2017), Tour de Fresh placed more than 180 salad bars in schools across the country. Sponsors and participants alike strongly believe that providing healthy eating opportunities for school children should be a requirement, which keeps this event thriving year after year.
About Salad Bars to Schools
Salad Bars to Schools is a public health campaign to increase salad bars in schools across the country so that every child has the choice of healthy fruits and vegetables every day at school. Salad Bars to Schools supports former First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! Initiative to end childhood obesity in a generation. Salad Bars to Schools founding partners are: The United Fresh Start Foundation, National Fruit and Vegetable Alliance, the Chef Ann Foundation and Whole Kids Foundation. More information can be found online at www.saladbars2schools.org.
Source: California Giant Foundation
