WASHINGTON, DC - As humans, we start building habits from a very early age, and that includes establishing an affinity for certain foods. Highlighting the importance of driving produce consumption among younger generations, research from The Foundation for Fresh Produce has revealed that toddlers are currently the only age group meeting the recommended levels of fruit and vegetable consumption. To address this issue and continue its commitment to child nutrition, the organization is launching its first-ever month-long campaign in partnership with leading U.S. retailers and food industry partners.

“The Foundation’s research underscores the crucial role that early childhood produce consumption plays in establishing lifelong healthy eating patterns,” says Emily Holdorf, Registered Dietitian for the Foundation for Fresh Produce. “With our partners, we are committed to providing practical hacks and promoting consistent produce habits and messaging to ensure children maintain their recommended consumption levels as they grow.”

The campaign, Hacks for Healthy Back-to-School Habits, is designed to promote simple and engaging food, cooking, and meal prep “hacks,” with the goal of instilling healthy eating habits in children as they head back to school.

According to a press release, nine retail partners nationwide will engage children and their families with innovative strategies to integrate more fruits and vegetables into their daily routines. These retailers include Coborn’s, Fresh Thyme Markets, Hy-Vee, Inserra Supermarkets, Meijer, Natural Grocers, Schnucks Market, The United Family of Stores, and Weis Markets.

“Making it easy and fun for kids to consume more fruits and vegetables is the key to success when it comes to building lifelong healthy eating habits for children,” says Katie Calligaro, Director, Marketing and Communication for The Foundation. “While we know the majority of children consume meals prepared by their school’s nutrition program (which are required to follow the Dietary Guidelines for Americans), the meals and snacks prepared at home play a critical role in boosting fruit and vegetable consumption.”

Other elements of the campaign include cooking demonstrations, virtual classes, in-store displays, social media posts, produce incentive coupons, and more.

“Providing tools that streamline messaging for retailers can help elevate fruits and vegetables in a way that consistently resonates with consumers,” Calligaro added. “The more they hear it, see it, and experience it, the more likely they are to repeat it, which is what creates a habit.”

More information about the new campaign can be found here.

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