WATSONVILLE, CA – As the three-day ride for the next Tour de Fresh fast approaches, members are working to hit the $150,000 goal–equivalent to 50 new salad bars for schools scattered across the country.
“We’re proud to be a part of something that does so much good in local communities across the country,” said John Frey, Vice President of Sales at Tsamma Watermelon, in a press release. “There’s a generosity that this industry has, unlike any other, that is infectious because so many of us are able to say that we’ve personally contributed to the health and wellbeing of children all over the country–that’s incredibly rewarding.”
As of July 3, riders have raised $93,000. With the ride slated for July 25-27, prior to PMA Foodservice Conference & Expo, everyone is looking to collect the remaining $57,000 by July 27. Presented by the California Giant Foundation, proceeds got to the Lets Move Salad Bars to Schools initiative and the United Fresh Start Foundation.
“We’re always pleased to see the industry, family, and friends step up in the final weeks prior to the event to help us reach our goal,” said Cindy Jewell, Vice President of Marketing for California Giant Berry Farms and The California Giant Foundation. “People know how much good comes from putting salad bars in schools now that they’ve seen the results from the last four years of Tour de Fresh’s efforts–it’s hard not to be a part of something this impactful.”
AndNowUKnow is excited to follow along from the road as this latest route promises to add another exciting chapter to the tour’s history: eight-time Tour de France rider, Axeon Hagens Berman Cycling Team Owner/Director, and Olympic Bronze Medalist Axel Merckx, will join cyclists on July 26 to support the cause, while each rider will have tracking devices, thanks to sponsor Locus Traxx/ Emerson, so that anyone is able to track in real-time where a rider is during each day of the tour.
Beginning in Pismo Beach, California, rider will complete the journey with the official Finish Line Ceremony on July 27 at approximately 2:00 p.m. at Wharf Marketplace in Monterey, California, where friends, family, local media, and city officials are invited to meet them.
To attend the ceremony, made possible by sponsors Taniumura & Antle, CHEP, Locus Traxx/Emerson, Pajaro Valley Fresh, and Renaissance Food Group, please RSVP by July 14. There, cyclists will be welcomed from their three-day ride and celebrate their and the industry’s efforts by presenting a check with final fundraising results.
Tour de Fresh would not be possible without the support of its Premier Sponsors California Giant Berry Farms, Crunch Pak, Enza Zaden, JAZZ Apples, Mission Produce, Sakata, Tanimura & Antle, Tsamma, and event sponsors Americold, AndNowUKnow, Arctic Apples, Baja Son, CHEP, Church Brothers, C&S Wholesale Grocers, Coosemans Worldwide, Duda Farm Fresh Foods, Emerson/Locus Traxx Worldwide, EBX Logistics, Fresh Point, Fresh Produce Partners, Fruit Growers Supply, Growers Express/Green Giant, Interfresh, Lipman, Ocean Mist Farms, Okanagan Specialty Fruits, Pajaro Valley Fresh, PMA, Pro*Act, Rherig Pacific Company, Renaissance Food Group, Specialty Produce, Taylor Farms, Tessemae’s, Total Quality Logistics, Watsonville Coast Produce, Western Precooling, and Zespri.
To donate to Tour de Fresh, or for more information, please visit www.tourdefresh.com or contact Beth Atkinson at [email protected].
