By Akanimo Sampson
Greenhouse growers in North America are said to be supporting hunger relief endeavour in the region. As a result, Village Farms has announced that it is pleased to take part again in the annual effort with Produce for Kids, and its valued retail partner Publix, in support of Feeding America.
Feeding America is a hunger-relief organisation that helps one in seven Americans and provides 4.3 billion meals annually to those facing hunger or are food insecure.
The Healthy Family Project, Produce for Kids’ campaign, will provide 700,000 meals through 31 Feeding America foodbanks within the Publix communities.
The campaign launched May 19 in Publix stores and online and will run over the next several weeks ending June 16. Village Farms has been a proud sponsor of the Produce for Kids campaign for more than a decade.
Village Farms signature tomato, Heavenly Villagio Marzano, a mini-San Marzano snacking tomato, will be featured on Produce for Kids point of sale signage displayed in Publix stores as well as banners online announcing Village Farms as a sponsor.
Product signage will feature a recipe and QR code that shoppers can scan to download free E-cookbook featuring Village Farms’ recipes for a Burrata & Tomato Hand Pies and a Skillet Chicken with Tomatoes and Green beans, both of which use the Heavenly Villagio Marzano tomato (see photo above). The recipes will also be highlighted in social media posts to more than 300,000 followers.
New to the campaign this year on the Produce for Kids website is a showcase of the sustainability practices of each campaign sponsor.
Village Farms highlights its Clean Energy initiative where landfill gas is used as energy for its greenhouses and creates clean air for the citizens in the greater Vancouver, CA area.
This messaging creates a link for consumers to help them better understand how their food choices can make an impact. It helps give back to the community and by choosing brands that protect or improve the environment, they are doing good for our planet.
“We are happy to support this endeavor again during a real time of need in our country,” said Helen L. Aquino, director brand marketing & communications. “Feeding America serves every community in the US.
”And our Good for the Earth sustainability story is a wonderful platform for this message, especially as more and more people focus on plant-based diets and increase their intake of fruits and vegetables.”
