WASHINGTON, DC – United Fresh Produce Association’s United Fresh Start Foundation has earned the highest association industry honor, a 2014 ASAE Power of A Summit Award, for its pioneering initiative that provides salad bars to schools to increase children’s access to healthful and flavorful fruits and vegetables. Tonight (October 1), The American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) will formally honor the recipients of the 2014 Power of A Summit Awards at the 15th Annual Summit Awards Dinner at the National Building Museum in Washington, DC.
ASAE is honoring United Fresh for enriching the lives of more than two million students in 3,500 schools who are making healthier lunch choices thanks to their efforts. The program allows school food service directors to request salad bars to empower children to increase their fruit and vegetable consumption. Donors from the produce industry, allied businesses and foundations contribute funds to the program.
“Let’s Move Salad Bars to Schools is a great example of the transformative impact associations have on society,” said ASAE President and CEO John H. Graham IV, FASAE, CAE. “Congratulations to United for identifying a need and putting their resources to work in a way that benefits students and society at large.”
The United Fresh Start Foundation has unified the produce industry, as well as helped others understand the changing landscape of school meal and snack programs. More than 250 produce companies, allied businesses and foundations support salad bars for schools. United Fresh members have also engaged local charities and community groups to support the program.
Evaluations show that schools that receive salad bars through Let’s Move Salad Bars to Schools experience an increase in student participation in their meal programs, their fruit and vegetable purchases increase, and that there is an increase in support for salad bars among school administrators, teachers, staff and parents. Salad bars are a visual representation that schools are serving healthy options and they are often a conversation starter among students, administrators and parents about the importance of a healthy diet, complete with more fresh fruits and vegetables.
“Offering a salad bar is the easiest way for schools to meet the new federal nutrition standards for school lunch and to make produce the first choice for children across the U.S.,” said Tom Stenzel, president & CEO of United Fresh. “With a national childhood obesity epidemic and data confirming children eat less than half the daily recommended servings of fruits and vegetables, Let’s Move Salad Bars to Schools is getting students excited about making healthy choices.”
ASAE’s Power of A (association) Awards, the industry’s highest honor, recognize the association community’s valuable contributions on the local, national and global level. The Power of A Awards reward outstanding accomplishments of associations and industry professionals for their efforts to enrich lives, create a competitive workforce, prepare society for the future, drive innovation and make a better world.
Visit www.UnitedFresh.org/saladbars or call 202-303-3400 for more information about Let’s Move Salad Bars to Schools.
Founded in 1904, the United Fresh Produce Association brings together companies across every segment of the fresh produce supply chain, including growers, shippers, fresh-cut processors, wholesalers, distributors, retailers, foodservice operators, industry suppliers and allied associations. We empower industry leaders to shape sound government policy. We deliver the resources and expertise companies need to succeed in managing complex business and technical issues. We provide the training and development individuals need to advance their careers in produce. And, through these endeavors, we unite our industry with a common purpose – to build long-term value for our members and grow produce consumption. For more information, visit www.unitedfresh.org or call 202-303-3400.
Source: United Fresh Produce Association