Produce for Kids Hits $5M in Donations to Youth Charities
Following the close of its 2014 campaigns, Orlando, Fla.-based Produce for Kids (PFK) revealed that it had raised a record donation of more than $5 million so far to aid local children's charities. PFK attained this milestone through in-store campaigns, the digital Power Your Lunchbox Pledge, and the help of its retail and produce partners.
This year alone, PFK's campaigns were backed by 17 grocery store chains and 40-plus fresh produce companies, raising $453,000 to support children’s charities in retail partners’ local markets.
"When we started Produce for Kids 12 years ago, we never imagined that it would turn into such a year-round healthy eating resource for families or make the impact it has had in local communities throughout the country," said PFK President John Shuman.
Pledge to Continue
Launching for the first time in 2014, the Power Your Lunchbox Pledge encourages families to pack healthier lunchboxes. A dedicated microsite, media and blogger outreach, and social media efforts raised more than $5,000 to fund health-and-wellness classroom projects through DonorsChoose.org. The second annual Power Your Lunchbox Pledge is slated to take place from Aug. 3 to Sept. 18, 2015.
As it moved into its 13th year, PFK’s flagship in-store campaign welcomed several new retail partners: Acme Markets; Ahold's Giant/Martin’s Food Stores, Giant Landover, and Stop & Shop divisions; Associated Wholesale Grocers' Major Savings, Advantage, Independent, Country Mart, Homeland and United banners; Meijer Stores; Price Chopper; Publix Super Markets; and Roundy's Supermarkets Inc.'s Pick n' Save, Copps Food Center and Metro Market stores.
Further, the organization plans to roll out a new longer-term kids club loyalty program at Associated Wholesalers Inc. and Niemann Foods, including in-store signage, shopper coupon booklets and promo item shipments.
PFK brings the produce industry together to educate consumers on healthy eating with fresh produce and raises funds for local children's nonprofits.