WASHINGTON, DC – The United Fresh Foundation partnered with PRO*ACT to offer assistance to schools looking to serve more fresh produce with the first-ever Fresh Produce Pavilion at the School Nutrition Association Annual National Conference in Boston.
“We are pleased with the industry support given to this first-ever pavilion designed to help schools maximize their success in serving a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables,” said United Fresh CEO Tom Stenzel. “This strategy connects us with hundreds of school foodservice directors from across the country, helping them understand the unique aspects of the fresh produce marketplace, as well as making sure they’re aware of the many fresh and fresh-cut produce items that can appeal to the next generation of produce consumers.”
The pavilion was 1600 square feet and featured an “Ask the Experts: Produce Solutions Center” and produce exhibits that exclusively promote fresh fruits and vegetables, according to a press release.
“Having a strong, face-to-face presence at the SNA conference allows United and the fresh produce industry to demonstrate their commitment to helping school nutrition operators find the most efficient ways to provide a variety of fruits and vegetables that their students will enjoy,” said Dr. Lorelei DiSogra, Vice President of Nutrition & Health at United Fresh.
The “Ask the Experts: Produce Solutions Center,” sponsored by PRO*ACT, features produce distributors from around the country. The produce experts answered schools’ produce-related questions, shared guidance and tips for writing produce RFPs and discussed how to establish collaborative business relationships between schools and produce distributors, according to a press release.
“We appreciate PRO*ACT’s assistance in staffing the ‘Ask the Experts’ area, where school foodservice directors will be able to consult with experts outside of their own procurement process. This affords a consultative environment in which buyers are not negotiating with their own vendors, but instead are learning from distributors who are not trying to win their business,” Stenzel added.
The Pavilion also featured a fresh vending machine stocked with single-serve fresh cut fruits and vegetables and salads. It also featured a salad bar to promote Let’s Move Salad Bars to schools.
