ORLANDO, FL - Produce for Kids is teaming up with Feeding America® to fight childhood hunger and help boost produce consumption nationwide. The announcement was made during Produce for Kids’ reception at Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure, along with the latest details on its second annual Power Your Lunchbox Pledge™ and marketing tactics for reaching shoppers.
“Aligning with Feeding America and its work to feed children struggling with hunger in this country makes sense for the long-term goals of our organization,” said Produce for Kids’ President John Shuman. “We are excited to partner with an organization the produce industry knows well and a cause that resonates with all of us.”
With a nationwide network of 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries and meal programs, Feeding America has led the fight against hunger with a number of initiatives that include its Summer Feeding Program, Kids Cafe, Child Hunger Corps, and BackPack Program. Through its in-store and online campaigns, Produce for Kids and participating partners will be able to raise necessary funds to help grow these targeted initiatives and make fruits and vegetables available to more children, according to a press release.
“Feeding America is thankful to Produce for Kids for its generous support of our programs that support children who struggle with hunger,” said Nancy Curby, Vice President of Corporate Partnerships at Feeding America. “This partnership will help us provide children with nutritious meals when other resources are not available.”
In addition to the Feeding America partnership announcement, Trish James, Produce for Kids’ Vice President, shared the newest campaigns the organization will be spearheading to further increase produce consumption.
The new Produce for Kids Club will give families access to a healthy eating welcome kit, as well as fun online activities for kids and meal planning guidance for parents.
Produce for Kids is also expanding two of its successful programs: Power Your Lunchbox Pledge and e-cookbooks. Power Your Lunchbox Pledge partners will once again have prominent presence on the program website, including branding in lunchbox-friendly recipes and the option to offer downloadable coupons to families who take the pledge.
“Initiatives such as healthy, family-oriented merchandising solutions, programs for in-store registered dietitians, and the launch of produce-centric e-cookbooks will allow us to help parents from point-of-purchase all the way to the dinner table,” said James.
Produce for Kids will continue to support specific retailer initiatives through Salad Bars To Midwest Schools and Jump for Jill in addition to its new partnership with Feeding America.
