GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Aug. 31 In addition to backpacks, notebooks and pencils, Produce for Kids, a program that teaches families about healthy eating, and Meijer stores are encouraging West Michigan families to add fruits and vegetables to their back to school shopping lists and support PBS KIDS((R)) in the process.
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From September 6 to October 3, a portion of sales of sponsored fruits and veggies at Meijer stores will be donated to PBS KIDS to support educational programming, online resources, outreach materials and other health initiatives for kids.
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"Obesity is a serious and growing problem among children. With families gearing up for back to school, fall is a great time to stock up on fruits and veggies and make healthy food choices part of the new school year," said Frank Guglielmi, director of public relations, Meijer stores.
A study conducted by The Perishables Group found that only 18 percent of the parents surveyed said their children eat the recommended three or more servings of fresh fruits and vegetables each day.
The Produce for Kids program is designed to educate parents, teachers and children about how to combat these unhealthy trends. This is the third year Meijer has partnered with Produce for Kids and helped raise more than $47,000 for PBS KIDS.
The campaign includes an online Eat Smart for a Great Start coloring contest, giving kids the chance to win one of three Nintendo((R)) Wii Bundles with Wii Sports Resort((TM)) prize packages; details are available at www.produceforkids.org. Children must have parental consent to enter. Teachers can also get into the fun this fall by entering the Play with Your Produce Classroom Challenge for grades K-6. More information is also available online.
To support the Produce for Kids 2009 fall campaign, shoppers can purchase the following produce items at all Meijer stores: DOLE((R)), Westlake Village, Calif. (packaged salads); Highline Mushrooms, Leamington, Ontario (mushrooms); Mastronardi Produce, Kingsville, Ontario (Sunset((R)) Campari((R)) tomatoes and tomatoes on the vine); Mann Packing, (Mann's Sunny Shores((R) )fresh cut vegetables); Michigan Apples((TM)) (locally grown apples); Potandon Produce((TM)), Idaho Falls, Idaho (Green Giant((R)) fresh russet and red potatoes); Stemilt Growers((TM)), Wenatchee, Wash. (AppleSweets((R)) & Pears); Marzetti((R)) Columbus, Ohio (caramel apple dip); Well Pict Berries, Watsonville, Calif. (strawberries).
Created in 2002 by Shuman Produce Inc., a leading marketer of RealSweet((R)) brand sweet onions, Produce for Kids((R)) brings the fresh produce industry together to raise funds for children's non-profit organizations while educating families about the benefits of healthy eating. To learn more, visit www.produceforkids.org.
SOURCE Produce for Kids
