INDIANAPOLIS, IN - After a three-year run on YouTube, Sarah Strohl of Sarah’s Great Day is off to college and leaving her show in the hands of her mother, Founder/Owner of United Media Now Productions Valerie Strohl. For a refresh on Sarah’s story, see our previous coverage here.

With the help of a partnership with The Produce Moms’ Lori Taylor, Sarah is taking her next big step and is off to George Mason University Mason Life Program. One of just nine females accepted into GMU’s Mason Life program, her resume with United Media’s work on The Produce Moms account and Sarah’s Great Day helped get her into this competitive program.

The two business-savvy mothers took some time to look back and tell me about the key role their partnership, and fresh produce, played in changing lives like Sarah’s.

When does Sarah start, and where does she hope this opportunity will lead her?

Valerie Strohl (VS): Sarah starts school on August 22 and is excited to experience a traditional college experience. She will live on campus, walk to class, and get involved just like any other student. She will focus on continuing her education and is excited to meet new friends. I think she will do well in her cooking class! When Sarah completes her four years at GMU, we hope that she will move back home, obtain employment, and live independently. Honestly, we don't look at this any differently than her two older sisters. She's going to learn and grow. Her dad and I are just excited to be empty nesters next year.

Because, of course, we love our fruits and veggies, tell us a bit about how this program and helping people like Sarah further helps spread fresh produce love for cooks to come?

Lori Taylor (LT): Valerie taught me a lot about the community of people with disabilities. I had no idea over 20 percent of households include a person with a disability, furthermore the data surrounding obesity and other wellness concerns among this demographic. It’s always important that we promote fresh produce consumption. I am confident that our alignment with United Media Now Productions encouraged many of the households and people with disabilities that follow Sarah online to try new produce.

VS: This area is very important for people with disabilities. Weight gain is at an epidemic level in the disability community due to boredom, lack of exercise, poor eating habits, and low muscle tone. Needless to say, this leads to high levels of depression too. Being able to promote healthy food options that are EASY is critical to the success of losing weight for this community. By learning that fresh fruit and vegetables are actually tasty and fun to work with is important. I am hopeful that someday we can create quick videos for this at-risk population.

Looking back, is there anything you care to add?

LT: It’s been a wonderful, fairytale-type of business story. I will miss working with Val and Sarah very much…but our inspiration and catalyst is off to college, which is really what makes this the fairy tale. A new chapter for us all begins this Friday. The Produce Moms will be announcing our new media and kitchen partner later in the Spring. As emotional as change can be for us all, I have great peace with this transition and feel that we did some truly amazing work. I will always remember my work in Val & Sarah’s home kitchen among the best moments of my professional career.

VS: I will echo the statement of this being a fairytale-type of business story. Lori mentioned our role in advancing her brand and mission, but her faith in our company and these kids helped us grow to be a great video production company. The work these kids were able to produce is pretty incredible and trust me, Lori never gave us a pass. She helped and pushed us to do great things. We will obviously miss working with The Produce Moms, but are excited for this next chapter for our company and to continue our work in video production in other industries that are surrounded by food. I can say, with certainty, there will never be anything similar to this business relationship in my career again.

Lori added a big thank you to the Produce Mom Family of Partners, which provided a constant demand for videos and media work. As for Valerie, Sarah will be gone, but the company survives under the new name Specialty Food Videos. The team will continue to do videos for the disability community under the United Media banner and stay true to its mission.

Tune in this Friday at 11 a.m. EST on The Produce Moms’ Facebook page to see this dynamic trio together one more time!

The Produce Moms