<p style="text-indent:0px; line-height:12px;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Los Alamitos, CA -</span><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">By ANUK Staff<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">1.15.13</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Thanks to Frieda’s and their partnership with two produce wholesalers, school kids in all corners of the nation are getting a chance to try unique and exotic fruits and vegetables.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Texas-based Combs Produce and Florida-based Produce Connection have been introducing children to the specialty produce through the USDA’s Fresh Fruit and Vegetable program.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><img src="https://cdn.andnowuknow.com/legacyWriterImages/friedasbody1011513.jpg" alt="Images011513" /><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Frieda’s provided Combs produce with exotics ranging from horned melons to dragon fruit for their first Farmer’s Market at an elementary school in San Benito Texas.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Combs’ Amy Holcomb noted the program’s success since it was established in 2012, “I love seeing their faces when they discover something new.”<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Produce Connection has had success with their school program in Orlando, with the guidance of Mark Dudley. Lesson plans, monthly menus, and uncommon produce intended to pique the interest of kids are provided to schools by the wholesaler. “We started with one school in 2008 and today we have 32 schools involved,” said Dudley. “It’s a great education program that is really awesome because of the exotic produce we get from Frieda’s.”<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><img src="https://cdn.andnowuknow.com/legacyWriterImages/friedasbody2011513.jpg" alt="Images011513" />(Amy Catalini Holcomb, Combs Produce)<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> “It’s surprising how easily we can tailor specialty produce items to fit this program. Our wholesale partners like Amy and Mark are passionate about the work they do and bringing food education to these kids. It’s exciting to be a part of this,” said Jeff Kelly, Frieda’s Senior Account Manager.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><img src="https://cdn.andnowuknow.com/legacyWriterImages/friedasbody3011513.jpg" alt="Images011513" />(Marc Dudley, Produce Connection)</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Working with wholesalers who participate in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program is one of several ways Frieda’s works to support the company’s mission in changing the way (the youngest) Americans eat fruits and vegetables.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href="http://www.friedas.com/" target="_new">Frieda’s </a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
