ORLANDO, FL – Produce for Kids celebrated Friday evening at the Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure. With a crowd of more than 200 produce industry members, the team toasted to having raised $6.4 million for families in need since 2002, under the theme “Lettuce Squash Hunger.”
“We truly have something to celebrate tonight. We have raised $6.4 million for families in need since 2002 and $309,000 in 2017 alone,” said John Shuman, President. “It’s phenomenal to see how far we’ve come and how many families we have reached not only through nutrition education, but through those who have sought help from the Feeding America 200 food banks and 60,000 pantries we serve across the U.S.”
A recently released POS “Turnip the Beet” photo op standee, from the Associated Wholesale Grocer Springfield Division, was on display, inviting attendees to get down to kid level and snap a photo. Health tips from the Produce for Kids registered dietician accompanied the display, according to a press release.
“As we move forward in 2018, it is our goal to connect more with our customers, encourage them to share their struggles with us, and most importantly celebrate their wins,” said Trish James, Vice President. “We will strategically approach all of our in-store and digital campaigns with this in mind.”
At the event, Produce for Kids awarded its partner organizations for the contributions they made in the last year:
- Acosta Marketing for Most Charitable
- Avocados from Mexico for Campaign Champion
- Bee Sweet Citrus for Lunchbox Inspiration
- Melissa’s Specialty Produce for Social Media Rockstar
- Price Chopper for Retailer in the Community
- The Watermelon Board for Retail Dietitian Advocate
With its 5th annual Power Your Lunchbox Promise program launching in August, Produce for Kids certainly has a lot on its plate. To stay in the know, keep reading AndNowUKnow.
