WATSONVILLE, CA – With Tour de Fresh making huge strides to meet its fundraising goal, the event has announced a new partnership to boost donation incentives even further. Stuppy, Inc. has announced that the rider who raises the most money for the event can gift one of the company’s Aqueduct aquaponics systems to the school of their choice. 

“We are excited for the donation of an aqueduct aquaponics system because it shows how the industry is committed to making a difference in the lives of the next generation,” said Cindy Jewell, Vice President of Marketing for The California Giant Foundation. “It is so important to educate students about food that is grown in order to build an appreciation for agriculture – this appreciation will last a lifetime when it comes time for students to choose the food that they put in their bodies.”

This donation from Stuppy is valued at $5,000, according to a recent press release. Stuppy is a manufacturing and construction company of greenhouse design that offers schools one-semester’s worth of curriculum and equipment necessary for students to house their own self-sustaining horticulture program. 

Stuppy will provide a donation of its complete aqueduct aquaponics system for a 14-week experience for students to see an entire ecosystem in action. This donation will include seeds, fish, fish food, and equipment. Stuffy also offers consultation services to aid in seed selection based on environment so educations can most effectively teach about horticulture.

“As an extension of our own fundamental belief that schools across the nation should not only be educated in nutrition, but be able to grow and eat their own fresh produce, it feels like the perfect opportunity for us to support Tour de Fresh by offering this incentive to riders,” said Ryan Willcott, Vegetable Project Specialist for Stuppy, Inc.

The partnership will also further both Tour de Fresh and Stuppy’s mission to bring fresh produce to schools across the country, and teaching schools and professionals about the worldwide importance of horticulture. 

In addition to the donation from Stuppy, Wilcott also stated that he will ride in the Tour de Fresh on behalf of Uplift Infinity Preparatory School in Texas.

“We’re excited to see how this propels fundraising efforts, knowing that one of this year’s Tour de Fresh riders will affect multiple schools by providing at least one salad bar and an aquaponics system,” finished Wilcott.

As of this morning, Tour de Fresh riders have raised $69,649 of their $175,000+ goal to benefit the Let’s Move Salad Bars to Schools campaign, according to its website. As there is only four weeks left until the event, now is the perfect time to support riders and their personal goals to raise $3,100 for their individually-selected school districts.

Stuppy Inc. Tour De Fresh