With the 2019 Vidalia season moving into high gear, Reidsville, GA-based Shuman Farms is focusing on its Produce for Kids® program and the RealSweet® brand Vidalia® onion bags that support Feeding America.
Produce for Kids was founded in 2002 by company President and CEO John Shuman as “a cause-marketing organization dedicated to creating a healthier generation and giving back to families across the country.” Since its inception, the program has raised more than $6.7 million for families and children in need.
Initially Produce for Kids supported children’s hospitals, but five years ago it entered into a partnership with Feeding America.
John said, “Working with Feeding America over the past several years has allowed us to not only help children eat healthier, but it has also helped us provide support to those families who face hunger every day. We recognize that hunger hits communities all over the United States and the impact on children is especially tough.”
Statistics from Feeding America indicate that one in six children “may not know where they will get their next meal and more than 12 million kids in the U.S. are facing hunger.”
Produce for Kids’ in-store and digital campaigns have resulted in more than 10 million meals being provided to those in need. And last year Shuman’s Produce for Kids program was recognized as a Mission Partner of Feeding America.
Produce for Kids’ campaigns are executed in more than 3,000 stores in 33 states, and the organization partners with more than 50 produce and other health-conscious brands “spreading the message of healthy eating through in-store signage, circular presence, social media, and digital support,” a Shuman release noted.
“In addition to their flagship in-store campaigns, Produce for Kids runs several digital campaigns throughout the year including their Mission for Nutrition program in March and Power Your Lunchbox in August.”
This month Produce for Kids will also be celebrating the one-year anniversary of its Healthy Family Project podcast.
John went on to say, “Looking forward to 2019 and beyond, we will continue to evolve our programs to make sure we continue to bring relevant and engaging content to consumers, encouraging them to fill their market baskets with fresh produce while contributing to their communities in a positive way.”
And in addition to supporting the Produce for Kids program this Vidalia season, Shuman Farms has also promised to provide 50,000 additional meals to families in need through their Feeding America® brand Vidalia onion packaging starting in June. According to Feeding America, 22 million children who receive free or reduced lunch during the school year will struggle with hunger. This initiative was designed to help aid the cause.
“We know that summer break can be especially hard for children who struggle with hunger,” John said added. “It is our hope that our donation will help to support the wonderful programs Feeding America has to help these families.”
Retailers who sell the Feeding America RealSweet Vidalia bags can also support the initiative and bring awareness to childhood hunger by displaying in-store signage and utilizing the social media toolkit provided by Shuman Farms. For more information, visit Shuman Farms online at http://shumanfarmsga.com.
