ORLANDO, FL – At the Produce for Kids reception at Southeast Produce Council’s annual Southern Exposure, the organization announced its new primary children’s charity for 2015 and beyond as Feeding America®, the nation’s leading hunger-relief organization. In addition, Produce for Kids shared its new Kids Club concept, details on the second annual Power Your Lunchbox Pledge™ and latest 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 John Shuman, president, Produce for Kids. “We are excited to partner with an organization the produce industry knows well and a cause that resonates with all of us.”
Feeding America is a nationwide network of 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries and meal programs that lead the fight against hunger, and it already has strong partnerships within the produce and grocery industries. Feeding America has several programs geared toward feeding children more nutritious foods such as 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.
“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 announcing the Feeding America partnership at the reception, Trish James, vice president, Produce for Kids talked through new initiatives for the upcoming year and presented new marketing tactics for reaching today’s ever-changing shopper.
“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.
Launching alongside Produce for Kids’ flagship in-store campaigns this spring is the new Produce for Kids Club, which shoppers at participating retail partners’ stores can join by visiting produceforkidsclub.com and entering the code printed on their receipt after purchasing participating products. By joining the Kids Club, families will have access to a healthy eating welcome kit as well as fun online activities for kids and meal planning guidance for parents.
Finally, Produce for Kids shared plans for expanding the two successful digital programs it launched in 2014: Power Your Lunchbox Pledge and e-cookbooks. Both programs encourage families to use produce in various ways during their meals and provide tips for parents to make mealtime healthier and less stressful. Power Your Lunchbox Pledge partners will once again have prominent website presence on poweryourlunchbox.com, including branding in lunchbox-friendly recipes and the option to offer downloadable coupons to families who take the pledge.
While Feeding America will be the primary charity of Produce for Kids children’s campaigns and programs, the organization will continue to support specific retailer initiatives through Salad Bars To Midwest Schools and Jump with Jill. For more information visit www.produceforkids.com
About Produce for Kids®
Produce for Kids® is a cause marketing company that helps families eat healthier, raises funds for children's charities and increases sales of partners' products. Since its creation in 2002 by Shuman Produce Inc., Produce for Kids has raised more than $5 million to benefit kids. To learn more about Produce for Kids and healthy eating, visit www.produceforkids.com,Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or Instagram.
About Feeding America
Feeding America is the nationwide network of 200 food banks that leads the fight against hunger in the United States. Together, we provide food to more than 46 million people through 60,000 food pantries and meal programs in communities across America. Feeding America also supports programs that improve food security among the people we serve; educates the public about the problem of hunger; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry. Individuals, charities, businesses and government all have a role in ending hunger. Donate. Volunteer. Advocate. Educate. Together we can solve hunger. Visit www.feedingamerica.org, find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
Source: Produce for Kids®