WASHINGTON, D.C. - The United Fresh Start Foundation’s annual conference FreshStart 2019, brings the industry together to increase children’s access to fresh produce. The event will once again feature a silent auction benefiting the foundation, as well as a half-day education program focused on how the fresh produce industry can increase children’s access to fruits and veggies. Set to take place January 15-17, 2019 at the La Quinta Resort & Club in Palm Springs, CA, there will also be volunteer leader meetings and the annual Gala Dinner recognizing the recipient of United Fresh’s 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award.

“I’m excited to start the new year with such an important event for the foundation! This annual event brings the industry together to fundamentally change the way the next generation connects with fresh produce,” said Phil Muir, President & CEO, Muir Copper Canyon Farms, and Chairman, United Fresh Start Foundation Board of Trustees. “Not only will we showcase the significant impact we’ve had on kids in just the last year, but we also will kick off our yearly fundraising efforts, which will enable us to launch new programs and partnerships while continuing to grow our current initiatives.”

According to a press release, last year’s auction and golf tournament raised over $100,000 to support the foundation’s mission of increasing children’s access to fresh fruits and vegetables. In 2018 alone, the foundation has provided grants to 20 community-based non-profits who provide children with fresh produce during the times they are not in school, continued its leadership in the national Salad Bars to Schools initiative through partnerships with produce companies and events like Tour de Fresh, and connected produce companies with more than 60 school buyers and menu planners from school districts around the nation at its annual School Foodservice Forum, among other on-going partnerships and activities.

“I can’t think of a more important cause to support, or a nicer place to be than Palm Springs in January,” said Cindy Jewell, Vice President of Marketing at California Giant Berry Farms and United Fresh Chairman of the Board. “We invite the industry and our volunteer leaders to join us in supporting a great cause while we kick off a new year, together!”

To register for FreshStart 2019, visit www.unitedfreshstart.org.

United Fresh Start Foundation