Retailers, Suppliers Raise $194K For PFK Fall Campaign

The collective efforts of Publix Super Markets, Meijer, Price Chopper and Giant and Martin’s Food Stores and select produce supplier partners raised more than $194,000 this fall as part of the “Eat Smart for a Great Start” campaign to benefit Produce for Kids (PFK), an organization that promotes the benefits of healthy eating and supports worthy causes for children.

The funds from the effort benefit PBS KIDS, which provides content, resources and tools that support the positive development of the whole child – the cognitive, emotional, social and physical.

From September through October, the four participating retailers partnered with fresh produce companies to make a monetary donation for specific fresh produce items purchased during the campaign period. All funds support PBS’ efforts to provide educational content, resources and outreach materials that promote healthy eating behavior among kids.

PFK also continued its annual nationwide teacher outreach as part of the 2010 fall campaign. The “Play with Your Produce Classroom Challenge” encouraged elementary students to be healthy by learning about and eating fresh produce. 

“Our fall campaign made healthy eating a central topic of discussion and learning in classrooms and communities nationwide,” said Kim Lathbury, PFK’s marketing director. “Together, PFK, PBS KIDS and our retailers and sponsors deliver engaging, interactive ways for kids to learn healthy eating habits that last a lifetime.”

The fall program also featured 12 new Ideal Meals recipes as well as resources and tools for parents and educators; fun games and activities for kids, as part of the PFK cause marketing campaign.

Participating produce suppliers/sponsors included: Cal-Organic Farms Carrot Chips, Country Fresh Mushrooms, Crunch Pak Sliced Apples, Del Monte Gold Extra Sweet Pineapple, Dole Fresh Vegetables and Packaged Salads, Earthbound Farm Organic Salads, Everybody’s Nuts Salt & Pepper Pistachios, Fresh Express, Fruit2Day Juices, Green Giant Fresh Potatoes, Marie’s Dressing and Dip, Marzetti Caramel Dip, Michigan Apple Committee Locally Grown Apples, Modern Farms Mushrooms, Nature's Promise Organic Packaged Salads, NatureSweet Vine Ripened Cherry Tomatoes, Santa Sweets Grape Tomatoes, Select One Tomatoes on the Vine, RealSweet Sweet Onions, Red Diamond Grape Tomatoes, Stemilt Growers Apples and Organic Pears, Summeripe Peaches and Nectarines, Sunkist Valencia Oranges, SUNSET Campari Tomatoes and Tomatoes on the Vine, Thomas Colace Company Tomatoes, Topline Hot House Tomatoes, Tomatoes on the Vine and Seedless Cucumbers, Welch's Healthy Start 100% Juice, with additional support from Acosta Sales & Marketing and JOH Produce PA.