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PBH Unveils Children's Health Campaign

WILMINGTON, Del. - The Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH) here said yesterday it will launch a Campaign for Children's Health, a landmark five -year program that will encourage the nation's children, through their moms, to eat more fruits and vegetables for better health.

PBH's goal for the campaign is to raise $3 million in funding to be used for programs to provide know-how, resources, and motivation that will make increased fruit and vegetable consumption a reality among our children today.

"Other organizations and campaigns are already addressing key topics like increasing physical education in schools and making sure children have health insurance," said Gregg Storey, chair of the Campaign for Children's Health. "The missing link was a concerted effort to improve the diet of our nation's children through fruits and vegetables. Now the Campaign for Children's Health will work to fill that gap."

Contributions to the campaign will support several activities designed to make a real impact in the health of America's children. Some of those activities include: a consumer Web site that serves as a "go to" resource for moms and children and offers tips to make eating more fruits and vegetables easier; consumer research that encompasses the necessary research to continue to provide materials of relevance to moms and their children; and educational materials that promote teacher-student and parent-child interaction, and help motivate families to increase their consumption of fruits and vegetables and lead healthier lifestyles.

One part of the program is being aided by a significant donation from Produce Marketing Association (PMA), to implement a four-year Scholastic Inc. in-school program planned to reach more than 300,000 kids and 450,000 parents in its first year alone, and then to expand its audience over the next three years.

"The Fruits & Veggies-More Matters brand is the messaging that will be used to reach moms and their children," said Elizabeth Pivonka, PBH president and c.e.o. "The Campaign for Children's Health is an extremely important initiative that will raise funds to exert a positive impact on the nation's obesity problem. We need help from everyone in order to make a difference."

The Campaign for Children's Health has already raised just over $1.5 million, halfway towards its $3 million goal.

Contributors include: Produce Marketing Association; BASF Corporation; C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc.; Duda Farm Fresh Foods, Inc.; Paramount Farms; Nunhems USA; Ocean Mist Farms; Summeripe Worldwide; Sun-Maid Growers of California; U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council; W. Newell & Company; Caito Foods, Inc.; Capital City Fruit Company, Inc.; Coast Produce Company; Giumarra Companies; Don Held; Kagome, Inc.; Elizabeth Pivonka and PBH Staff; Walter P. Rawl & Sons, Inc.; Torrey Farms; Charles P. Bakker; Richard D. Bakker; Thomas L. Bakker; Augustus Barnett; Reggie Brown; John S. Burnstine; Castellini Company; Heartland Produce; Image Specialties; Mantrose-Haeuser Co., Inc.; Pear Bureau Northwest; Michael J. Stuart; MIXTEC Group; and Wholesale Produce Supply.
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