Publix, Produce for Kids Aid Feeding America

Publix Super Markets Inc. and Produce for Kids are teaming up for the second time this year on an in-store and digital campaign to educate area families on the advantages of healthy eating while raising funds for regional Feeding America member food banks. Last spring, the Southeastern regional grocer and the Orlando, Fla.-based philanthropically based organization supplied 1.2 million meals through Feeding America for local needy families.

Produce for Kids signage in the produce section of all Publix stores, featuring popular children's book character The Very Hungry Caterpillar, will direct shoppers to a site offering more than 150 dietitian-approved recipes, meal-planning tools, campaign information and parents' healthy tips. The campaign runs through Oct. 28. The Very Hungry Caterpillar will also make appearances at two Publix stores.

"Our Produce for Kids partnership allows us to educate our customers about the importance of beginning healthy eating habits early," noted Maria Brous, media and community relations director for Lakeland, Fla.-based Publix. "The month-long campaign provides resources that introduce fresh fruits and vegetables to families and also allows us to give back to our local communities through a donation to Feeding America's programs that support children."

Eleven fresh fruit and vegetable suppliers, encompassing every major category of fresh produce, are participating in the campaign: Avocados from Mexico Mexican Hass Avocados, Chiquita Fresh Chiquita Bananas, Coast Tropical Mangos, Crunch Pak Sliced Apples, Del Monte Foods Fruit Naturals Cups, Chiquita Fresh Express Packaged Salads, Shuman Produce RealSweet Vidalia Onions, J&D Produce Inc. Little Bear Brand Vidalia Sweet Onions, Tasti-Lee Tomatoes, Ventura Foods Marie's Dressings, and Wonderful Pistachios.

Since 2002, Publix has raised more than $2.4 million through the Produce for Kids campaign for children's organizations within the grocer's market area. Privately owned and operated by its 176,500 employees, the company has 1,103 stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina and North Carolina.