POWER YOUR LUNCHBOX PLEDGE™ BY PRODUCE FOR KIDS® ENCOURAGES FAMILIES TO POWER THEIR MIND AND BODY FOR BACK TO SCHOOL
For every pledge, $1 will be donated to Feeding America® programs that help children and families
The Power Your Lunchbox Pledge by Produce for Kids® encourages families and classrooms to make healthy choices this school year, kicking off on Aug. 7 and running through Sept. 22. The pledge can be taken at poweryourlunchbox.com where families can access registered dietitian-approved and kid-tested recipe ideas and tips. Power Your Lunchbox Pledge partner brands will collectively donate $1 for every pledge taken to Feeding America® programs that help children and families, adding to the near 660,000 meals* provided to Feeding America in previous years.
New this year, Produce for Kids has partnered with The World of Eric Carle and his collection of children’s books. Every day between Aug. 7 and Sept. 22, Produce for Kids will give away a popular Eric Carle book to an individual who has taken the pledge. In addition, elementary and preschool classrooms who take the pledge will be entered to win an Eric Carle reading nook for their classroom. Teachers can access Eric Carle and Produce for Kids-themed activities and lesson plans at poweryourlunchbox.com/teachers.
“Families are looking for ways to start the year off on the right foot and the Power Your Lunchbox Pledge offers everything they need in one spot,” said Trish James, vice president, Produce for Kids. “Families want to know their kids are receiving the right brain food to get them through the day. Our registered dietitian-approved meal inspiration, tips and ideas provide the foundation families need for success.”
Anyone in the Twitterverse can jump in on the #PowerYourLunchbox Twitter party conversation on Aug. 17 at 4 p.m. ET. The party will be focused on everything related to fueling kids’ minds and bodies for back-to-school. Families can win back-to-school prizes including lunchboxes, lunchbox notes, gadgets and more.
Likeminded brands supporting the Power Your Lunchbox Pledge 2017 include: Avocados from Mexico, Bee Sweet Citrus, Crispy Green®, Earthbound Farm®, Eric Carle®, GROW Bananas by Organics Unlimited, NatureFresh™ Farms, Pero Family Farms®, Sun World®, Vegy Vida® Dips ‘n More and Zespri® Kiwifruit.
“To date, Power Your Lunchbox Pledge has raised nearly 660,000 meals for Feeding America,” continued James. “It’s important that during the hustle and bustle of back-to-school, we don’t forget that there are many families who are dealing with hunger and need extra support.
Note: Power Your Lunchbox images can be found here.
*$1 helps provide 11 meals secured by Feeding America® on behalf of local member food banks.
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About Produce for Kids Produce for Kids® believes in creating a healthier generation. As a cause marketing organization, Produce for Kids creates programs that provide easy, fun, and inspiring recipes. Since its creation in 2002 by Shuman Produce Inc., Produce for Kids has raised more than $6 million to benefit children and families. To learn more about Produce for Kids and healthy eating, visit www.produceforkids.com, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or Instagram.
About Feeding America®
Feeding America is the nationwide network of 200 food banks that leads the fight against hunger in the United States. Together, we provide food to more than 46 million people through 60,000 food pantries and meal programs in communities across America. Feeding America also supports programs that improve food security among the people we serve; educates the public about the problem of hunger; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry. Individuals, charities, businesses and government all have a role in ending hunger. Donate. Volunteer. Advocate. Educate. Together we can solve hunger. Visit www.feedingamerica.org, find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
GROW by Organics Unlimited prepares for GROW month!
In a few weeks, GROW by Organics Unlimited will be kicking off GROW month and we need your help! Every September, we promote GROW and take the opportunity to educate and inspire our consumers to make a difference through their GROW purchases. What does this mean for you? Please start thinking about your merchandising displays and about other ways you can help. We need stores that are willing to host community events such as banana tasting, kid’s events, etc. We also need stores that are ok with live footage being shot inside the store by news crews. If you want to help us, please send us an email!
With each box of GROW bananas sold, a portion of the proceeds go into the GROW Fund. These donations are managed and distributed by the International Community Foundation. Project Amigo in Mexico and Children International in Ecuador are two organizations where GROW has helped build better communities and have changed the lives of many. With the financial support they receive from the GROW label, Project Amigo is able to provide communities with vision clinics, dental clinics, literacy and educational programs. These services are vital to the community and quite successful. Over 90% of the students that are a part of the Project Amigo scholarship program are attending the university and many have graduated to become very successful. Some of those success stories have continued to be a part of their community and have helped the current students in their health and education.
Please consider helping us in helping our communities! With your support in purchasing GROW bananas or creating visual appealing merchandising displays with GROW bananas, together we can make a difference in the banana growing communities.
For more information on how you can help support please visit our GROW website.
Want to know how GROW helps communities? Check out this info graphic below!
Bananas Make for a Healthy Summer
Summer is officially here which means many of us are getting out there and being more active. Whether trying to get in shape or just enjoying longer days and warmer temperatures, it is important to nourish your body while you expand more calories! Did you know that bananas, like the organic bananas from Organics Unlimited, can help athletes boost their performance when consumed before, during and after workouts and competitions? Eating half a banana every 15 minutes during exercise is as effective as sipping a comparable amount of sports drink in terms of sustaining exercise performance. Often included as part of a low-fat, heart-healthy diet, bananas offer additional benefits beyond providing energy because they contain a broad range of vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber and nutrients.
Source of Energy
Each banana, on average, contains 30 g of carbohydrates, which makes it a great source of energy for athletes. Carbs also support muscle activity, making them a great way to fuel up for a workout. Carbs are also essential for central nervous system maintenance and activity, helping to keep the mind responsive and reflexes intact.
Potassium
The average banana has more than 450 mg of potassium, which is about 13 percent of the potassium you need per day. Potassium is an essential mineral necessary for blood-sugar maintenance and proper heart function. Loaded with potassium, bananas can help protect against high blood pressure. Potassium also helps you retain fluid balance in your body’s cells, which can prevent muscle cramping. Potassium is also necessary for proper muscle growth and development.
Vitamin C
Bananas are a rich source of vitamin C. One banana contains about 15 percent of the vitamin C you need per day. Vitamin C is essential for strengthening muscles, tendons and ligaments, and keeping your immune system strong under the stress of exercise. Vitamin C also helps speed and promote the repair of wounds and soft tissue damage incurred by activities like rigorous exercise. It also plays an essential role in the synthesis of adrenaline throughout physical training.
Convenient and Cost Effective
Eating bananas is one of easiest ways to provides athletes with the nutrients they need for working out. Bananas are fairly cheap, readily available throughout the year and mix easily into protein shakes. They also work well as a simple addition to any kind of breakfast. Eating a banana within two hours before exercise can help sustain energy levels throughout a long workout and help reduce recovery periods after a workout.
To learn more about our organic bananas and how you can offer Organics Unlimited and GROW organic bananas in your store, please visit OrganicsUnlimited.com. You may also follow Organics Unlimited on Facebook and Twitter for more news.
