WATSONVILLE, CA - The riders for this year’s Tour de Fresh, PMA Foodservice edition, are well on their way to success before the tires have even hit the pavement.

Now just weeks away from the 173 mile ride that will take produce cyclists from Napa Valley to Monterey, California, $57,564 has already been raised towards placing salad bars in schools.

“With the Tour de Fresh event quickly approaching, United Fresh Conference offers a perfect opportunity for the industry to rally together in support of our final fundraising efforts,” said Cindy Jewell, Vice President of Marketing for California Giant Berry Farms, said in a press release. “We’re more than happy to provide a space for people to donate in person, while also encouraging a little fun at the conference.”

Just over one-third of the way to Tour de Fresh’s goal of $150,000, which would surpass each previous event and stands to place more than 100 salad bars for Let’s Move Salad Bars to Schools, the team has turned its eyes to Chicago and the fast-approaching United Fresh Conference next week, June 20-22.

Show attendees will have the chance to donate to the cause in a fun, interactive fashion: encouraging friends and colleagues to ride a stationary bike for five minutes in support of those who are riding in July.

The fun starts for those who donate at least $25, and California Giant Berry Farms hopes to raise $2,500 on the floor.

“We can’t wait to send some of our Church Brothers team to ride the bike and hope that other companies are equally excited to have a little fun with their fellow fresh produce colleagues,” Jeff Church, Vice President of Sales for Church Brothers Farms, said of the event.

Tour de Fresh will also presenting limited-edition portable wine glasses to the first 50 donors in the booth, in the spirit of the ride’s starting in the heart of California’s wine country.

All this can be found when you visit California Giant at booth #1821 next week at United Fresh.

This year, 56 participants will ride the 173 mile trek next month, July 26-28, just before the Food Service Conference.

The 40 sponsors include Premier Sponsors:

• California Giant Berry Farms
• Church Brothers Farms
• Dole Fresh Vegetables
• Enza Zaden
• Fresh Point
• J&J Family of Farms
• Mission Produce
• Sunripe Certified Brands
• Tanimura & Antle
• Tsamma

Attendees can also share photos from the Tour de Fresh live ride photo booth by using the hashtag #tourdefresh and follow along via Tour de Fresh on Instagram.

Many leaders of the fresh produce industry have stepped up to the plate in committing to help bring salad bars to schools across the nation, but there is still a need for those who have yet to join in.

More information about Tour de Fresh can be found at www.tourdefresh.com, or by contacting Brock Nemecek at [email protected].

Tour de Fresh