ARIZONA & NEW MEXICO - Starting a new school year isn’t the easiest transition, but having fresh lunch meals certainly can help. Students in tribal communities across two states have kicked off the new school year with increased access to healthier school meals, fresh fruit, and healthy snacks, thanks to Bashas’, Joyfully Grown by Chelan Fresh, and GENYOUth, a national nonprofit dedicated to providing students with greater access to nutrition and physical activity.

“The opportunity to take our Joyfully Grown brand and partner with Bashas’ to deliver 12 Grab and Go carts and fresh, delicious fruit and healthy snacks to kids and schools across these tribal nations is an honor and a privilege,” said Apolinar Blanco, Sustainability and Social Responsibility Manager for Joyfully Grown by Chelan Fresh. “We are so grateful for the GENYOUth and Bashas’ teams who helped make this happen.”

Students at one Navajo elementary school will play an active role in launching the program during a School Field Day, explained a press release. Pre-K through third-grade students will rotate through a series of stations to gather stamps to complete their “passport to health.”

One of the stations will feature a drill from NFL FLAG-In-School, a GENYOUth-run program reflecting the organization’s mission of ensuring all children are physically active and well-nourished to live their best lives.

“Our history of teaming up with tribal communities in Arizona and New Mexico can be traced back to the origins of our company, when our first customers were Indigenous People,” said Steve Mayer, President of Bashas’ Family of Stores. “We’re especially thrilled about this partnership because not only will the Grab and Go carts help increase access to nutritious foods, but they’ll also support a foundation for talking about and prioritizing healthy habits.”

Ultimately, a Grab and Go meal cart and produce will be donated to nine different elementary schools near the nine Bashas’ Diné Markets on the Navajo Nation. Additional carts and produce will also be donated to three different elementary schools, representing each of the other three Arizona tribal communities where Bashas’ supermarkets are located.

For more details and to read the full release, click here.

ANUK would like to extend a "fork clink" to all the students participating in healthier school lunches!