ORLANDO, Fla. – Produce for Kids is excited to announce a new partnership with The Very Hungry Caterpillar™ for its third annual Healthy Families, Helping Kids campaign this fall. The campaign, running in all Meijer stores and Publix Super Markets this September and October, will raise funds to support local children’s charities. The partnership was brokered on behalf of the World of Eric Carle by its worldwide licensing agent, the Joester Loria Group (JLG).
“We’re so excited to be partnering with The Very Hungry Caterpillar this fall. As a classic, it connects to both parents who read the story as children and children today who are reading it for the first time,” said Trish James, vice president, Produce for Kids. “Through our in-store campaign, we can help shoppers make smart decisions and feed their families healthy meals with wholesome ingredients.”
The Very Hungry Caterpillar, a classic book by Eric Carle, is celebrating its 45th anniversary this year and will be featured on in-store signage in more than 1,200 grocery stores and fresh markets in 11 states. Signage will notify shoppers of all participating produce companies and point them to www.produceforkids.com for additional information on the campaign, more than 150 produce-centered recipes and healthy tips from real parents.
“We are delighted to partner with Produce for Kids to promote healthy eating and provide families with a recipe that will encourage kids to choose fresh fruit and vegetables,” said Debra Joester, president, The Joester Loria Group. “The Very Hungry Caterpillar has inspired three generations of children and we are confident this campaign will resonate with millions of parents and children that are fans of Eric Carle’s iconic book.”
The Healthy Families, Helping Kids campaign will run from September through October 2014 with the support of more than 20 participating fresh fruit and vegetable suppliers, representing every major category of fresh produce. Suppliers will make a consumption-based donation to local children’s charities. The more items from participating companies that shoppers purchase, the more local children’s organizations benefit.
Produce for Kids will promote the campaign through all platforms of social media, and will host various sweepstakes and giveaways on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Produce for Kids will also engage mom bloggers in each participating retail partner’s markets to help spread the healthy eating message. In addition, Produce for Kids will be hosting monthly Twitter parties during the campaign focused on seasonal healthy eating topics. The Very Hungry Caterpillar will also be hosting in-store meet and greets with families at select participating grocery stores.
Sponsored products for each supermarket can be found on display materials in the grocery stores’ fresh produce departments and online at www.produceforkids.com.
About Produce for Kids®
Produce for Kids® is a philanthropically based organization that brings the produce industry together to educate consumers about healthy eating with fresh produce and raise funds for local children’s non-profit organizations. Since its creation in 2002 by Shuman Produce Inc., Produce for Kids has raised more than $4.2 million to benefit kids. To learn more about Produce for Kids and healthy eating, visit www.produceforkids.com, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or Instagram.
About The World of Eric Carle
The World of Eric Carle™ is a design-driven licensing and merchandising program based on the beloved picture books by Eric Carle. A prolific author and artist, Eric Carle has written and illustrated more than seventy books which have sold over 128 million copies worldwide. Like his books, The World of Eric Carle brand draws upon Eric Carle’s approach to creativity, discovery, play and development. Licensing and merchandising programs are ongoing in the US, Japan, UK, Australia and Europe. For more information, please visit: www.Facebook.com/theworldofEricCarle.
About The Joester Loria Group
The Joester Loria Group, www.joesterloriagroup.com, is a full-service licensing and marketing agency providing its clients with a full array of services, including strategic planning and implementation of licensing strategies that encompass robust marketing and retail initiatives. The Joester Loria Group represents Pepsi-Cola North America; Constellation Brands Beer Division’s portfolio including, Corona Extra (the #1 imported beer in the U.S. and #5 beer overall), Corona Light, Modelo Especial, Negra Modelo, Pacifico and Victoria beer brands; Proximo Spirits, including Jose Cuervo, 1800 Tequila, Three Olives Vodka, and The Kraken; Clorox Green Works’; Kellogg’s portfolio of cereal and snack brands; celebrity chef, Fabio Viviani, leading fashion blogger, Aimee Song of Song of Style; children’s designer, Amy Coe; pre-school series The Hive; The World of Eric Carle™, based on his artwork from the beloved children’s picture books; YouTube sensation and Cartoon Network series Annoying Orange; Entenmann's; SMOSH; Dew Tour, the #1 action sporting event in North America; Oxford University; Waste Management; Hearst Corporation’s Car and Driver, Road & Track and Popular Mechanics.
Source: Produce for Kids®