REIDSVILLE, GA - This year, $3.9 million in the number. Of what, exactly? Healthy Family Project’s latest funding, that’s what. The organization’s 21^st annual Fall Produce for Kids campaign took place September 20 through November 1 at Publix locations, with the theme set as “Shopping for Good, Together We Give Back.” Fifteen produce companies provided 850,000 meals to the 35 Feeding America® network food banks in the Publix market area. This year, the organization raised more than $3.9 million for causes that support families and children in the communities in which Publix operates and helped provide more than 14 million meals to Feeding America partner food banks.

“Through ongoing collaboration with our trusted produce partners and Publix, we have had the opportunity to make a real impact in the Publix communities over the years,” said John Shuman, Founder of Healthy Family Project and President at Shuman Farms.

During the campaign, noted the release, signs were positioned in more than 1,300 Publix stores near participating produce vendors. The signs featured QR codes leading shoppers to a free bilingual downloadable eCookbook with recipe inspiration, and nutrition tips featuring campaign produce partners. In addition, the products were prominently featured in weekly ads throughout the campaign.

Feeding America estimates that 44 million people in the United States are food insecure. The produce partners aligning with this campaign are making an impact in Publix communities to fill this need through meals.

“At Publix, we are committed to making a positive impact in the communities we serve,” said Dwaine Stevens, Publix Director of Community Relations. “Our 21-year collaboration with Healthy Family Project’s Produce for Kids campaign aligns with this purpose.”

Produce partners supporting the fall Publix Produce for Kids cause-marketing campaign included: Acosta Sales & Marketing, Ayco Farms, Coast Tropical, Hero®, Fresh Del Monte Produce, Fresh Express®, GT’s Living Foods, Mission Produce, nasoya®, SUNSET®, Marie’s®, Rainier, Red‘n Tasty™, Village Farms®, and Wonderful® Halos.

The campaign sponsors were featured in a Healthy Family Project hosted Halloween-themed Facebook Live cooking class and also highlighted in Healthy Family Project social media and e-newsletter content throughout October. Chelsea Leblanc, RDN, contributing dietitian at Healthy Family Project, showcased produce partners in an Instagram grocery haul.

Shopping for a good cause, and providing fresh produce? Now that’s a win-win situation in our books.

Healthy Family Project