The United Fresh Produce Association will not only bring some of the fresh produce sector's leading industry players to New Orleans on 2-4 May for its 107th annual convention, but will also give something back to the local community with the donation of salad bars to 33 schools.
The move, which has been made possible by member companies and friends of United Fresh, is designed to create a lasting impact on thousands of school children in its convention host city.
'These salad bars reflect our members' commitment to help increase access to fresh fruit and vegetables for thousands of New Orleans school kids,' said United Fresh president and CEO Tom Stenzel. 'This is a great way for our industry to show our support to the local community and say 'thank you' for hosting our 2011 convention.
'I'm pleased to say that we topped our goal to raise funds for 25 salad bars and will be able to provide a salad bar to every New Orleans school that requested one,' he added.
A 'Let's Move Salad Bars to New Orleans Schools' press event will commemorate the donation on 3 May, bringing together local dignitaries and officials to recognise the 33 recipient schools and each donor company.
The May donation of salad bars is in addition to 10 that the United Fresh Foundation donated in autumn from funds raised at its annual Washington Public Policy Conference.
United Fresh is also a founding partner of the Let's Move Salad Bars to Schools initiative, which has a goal of donating salad bars to 6,000 schools nationwide within the next three years, and supports First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move project.
'We hope that schools throughout the region and nationwide will now look at New Orleans as a model to see how salad bars can transform the school food experience,' Stenzel added. 'Schools can work directly with the Let's Move Salad Bars to Schools initiative, raising funds for salad bars within their own communities through government support, local businesses, PTAs and more. It's easy for schools to post an application on www.SaladBars2Schools.org, and raise the necessary awareness and funds to make a difference for their kids,' said Stenzel.
