Publix Joins Forces With Produce Partners for Healthy Family Project’s Publix Produce for Kids Campaign; Dwaine Stevens and John Shuman Comment
REIDSVILLE, GA - Publix recently hosted its 21st marketing campaign in partnership with the Healthy Family Project’s Produce for Kids, gathering a who’s who of fresh produce brands to raise more than $3.8 million for causes that support families and children in Publix communities. Additionally, the campaign helped provide more than 13 million meals to Feeding America® network food banks.
“At Publix, we are dedicated to fostering a positive impact in the communities we serve,” said Dwaine Stevens, Publix Director of Community Relations. “Healthy Family Project’s Produce for Kids campaign aligns with this purpose, and we are proud to collaborate again this year.”
Produce partners supporting the Publix Produce for Kids cause-marketing campaign included:
- Acosta Sales & Marketing
- Ayco Farms
- CMI Orchards
- Driscoll’s®
- Fresh Express®
- GT’s Living Foods
- SUNSET®
- Suja Juice™
- Marie's®
- Mucci Farms
- Rainier Fruit Company
- Shuman Farms RealSweet® Onions
- Wonderful® Pistachios
The campaign ran from May 11–June 21, and the 13 produce companies donated 775,000 meals (every $1 donated to Feeding America helps secure at least 10 meals on behalf of member food banks) to the 35 food banks in the Publix market area, according to a press release.
“We know that hunger is an issue year-round, but particularly through the summer months when kids who usually receive meals at school are home for the summer,” said John Shuman, Founder of Healthy Family Project and President of Shuman Farms. “Together, with our produce partners and Publix, we can make a meaningful difference and create a brighter future for individuals experiencing food insecurity in the communities where our products are sold.”
During the campaign, participating products were prominently featured in weekly ads, and campaign signs were positioned in more than 1,300 Publix stores. The signs, placed near participating produce vendors, featured QR codes leading shoppers to a free bilingual downloadable e-Cookbook with recipe inspiration, and nutrition tips featuring campaign produce partners. Healthy Family Project hosted a Facebook Live cooking class featuring the campaign’s produce partners, who were also highlighted in targeted social media and e-newsletter content throughout May and June.
What an amazing show of unity against hunger, something Feeding America estimates 22 million children in the United States experience each year. Congratulations to all involved in the annual Publix-hosted event!
