WATSONVILLE, CA – This year’s Tour de Fresh participants will get a chance to ride with cycling royalty, as eight-time Tour de France rider, Axeon Hagens Berman Cycling Team Owner/Director, and Olympic Bronze Medalist Axel Merckx is set to join the peloton.

“I’m honored and excited to be a part of this year’s Tour de Fresh,” said Merckx. “The event’s dedication to ensuring the youth have healthy eating options is something that is extremely important to me and I’m looking forward to riding with everyone!”

This year’s event will feature more than 30 riders, including Merckx—who will ride at least one day during the three-day long ride. Tour de Fresh plans to raise at least $156,000 and donate more than 50 salad bars to U.S. schools this year, according to a press release.

Additionally, this year, sponsor and major supporter Locus Traxx will provide tracking devices for each rider that will allow viewers to see exactly where each rider is at any point throughout the event; this technological innovation will give donors and industry members real-time updates to support riders.

“Axel has been a huge asset to our cyclists as a mentor, and we’re thrilled to have him as part of our Tour de Fresh event this year,” said Anthony Gallino, Vice President of Sales for California Giant. “I know that this year is going to be our best year yet, as proven by the immediate response from so many of our friends within the industry to continue supporting the positive impact we are making in schools.”

Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Current confirmed sponsors for the event include: California Giant Berry Farms, Emerson/Locus Traxx Worldwide, Enza Zaden, Mission Produce, Sakata, Tanimura & Antle, Americold, AndNowUKnow, Baja Son, CHEP, Church Brothers, C&S Wholesale Grocers, Coosemans Worldwide, Duda Farm Fresh Foods, EBX Logistics, Fresh Point, Fresh Produce Partners, Fruit Growers Supply, Growers Express/Green Giant, Interfresh, Lipman, Ocean Mist Farms, Okanagan Specialty Fruits, Pajaro Valley Fresh, PMA, Pro*Act, Rherig Pacific Company, Renaissance Food Group, Specialty Produce, Tessemae’s, Watsonville Coast Produce, and Western Precooling.

For more information on this year’s Tour de Fresh, check out www.tourdefresh.com or contact Brock Nemecek at [email protected]. 

Tour de Fresh