The United Fresh Foundation is celebrating a successful collaboration with Produce for Kids and Publix Super Markets that raised funds to donate salad bars to 39 schools in Florida, Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee through the Let’s Move Salad Bars to Schools initiative.
The largest single produce industry contribution to Let’s Move Salad Bars to Schools to date will benefit more than 20,000 students. United’s Miriam Wolk, senior director of membership, and Dan Vaché, vice president of supply chain management, were present for the announcement, made by Produce for Kids founder and president, John Shuman, and vice president Kim Avola at the Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure 2012 Show in Tampa, March 2. Garry Bergstrom, business development director of Publix Super Markets, was also on hand to celebrate the donation.
"We are thrilled that 39 schools will receive salad bars and especially gratified that 17 salad bars will go to Miami-Dade County Public schools where just over a year ago First Lady Michelle Obama launched Let’s Move Salad Bars to Schools at Riverside Elementary School. This generous donation from Produce for Kids and Publix Super Markets will jump-start salad bars in Miami-Dade County Public Schools," said Dr. Lorelei DiSogra, United Fresh vice president of nutrition.
Salad bars will also be donated to schools in Walker County in Alabama; Polk County and Union County in Florida; Troup County and Lanier County in Georgia; and the Coffee County School District in Tennessee.
"Foods that are colorful and fresh are tempting to the eyes and the taste buds," said Maria Brous, Publix director of media & community relations. "When children are exposed to fruits and vegetables from a salad bar they are more likely to eat and enjoy them. Our goal is to help develop a love for these foods at school that can then be shared with families at home."
"The Produce for Kids campaigns are aimed at raising awareness about healthy eating while raising funds for worthy children’s causes," said Kim Avola, vice president, Produce for Kids. "The Let’s Move Salad Bars to Schools initiative takes the healthy eating message directly to schools by providing kids with nutritious options and giving them the opportunity to try healthy fruits and vegetables." Publix sponsored the Produce for Kids "Healthy Schools, Healthy Minds" sales promotion this past fall in the produce departments of all their stores to benefit Let’s Move Salad Bars to Schools and to increase awareness about healthy eating.
"Childhood obesity is a problem nationwide, but the Southeast has higher rates than the national average. Children’s fruit and vegetable consumption is also lower in the Southeast. We are proud to have Produce for Kids and Publix Super Markets join us in helping schools in the Southeast. These 39 salad bars will increase students’ fruit and vegetable consumption and provide healthier options at lunch," said Tom Stenzel, United Fresh President and CEO. "Together with our Let’s Move Salad Bars to Schools partners, more than 1,200 schools nationwide now have salad bars."
"Salad bars are an effective way for schools to meet the new school meal guidelines, and kids really respond positively when given the choice to eat healthy foods. Research and school experience shows that students eat more fresh produce when they have a salad bar that provides a variety of colorful choices of fruits and vegetables every school day," said DiSogra.
