Aug 1, 2017

Tour de Fresh raises $165K for Salad Bars to Schools 

Fresh produce industry leaders raised more than $150,000 for healthy school lunches in the Tour de Fresh event that wrapped up July 27 in Monterey, California.

The three-day cycling event, presented by The California Giant Foundation, is a collaborative effort by companies in the fresh produce industry that raises funds to benefit the Salad Bars to Schools campaign.

The 275-mile ride on asphalt had some challenges this year, including the scorching California heat and altered plans for challenging race route, but fund-raising wasn’t a problem. The event raised more money this year than any of the previous three years it’s been held.

Riders rode into the finish line at The Wharf Marketplace to be greeted by family and friends for a check presentation that will pay for at least 52 salad bars to be donated to school cafeterias. At the end of the ride each day, yellow jerseys were awarded to individuals, nominated by their peers for good sportsmanship and supporting other riders.

The cycling event featured Olympic cyclists Ina-Yoko Teutenberg and Axel Merckx. Tracking devices donated by Locus Traxx/Emerson allowed family members an opportunity to keep track of their riders and gave riders an opportunity to partake in friendly competitions.

To date, Tour de Fresh 2017 has raised $168,491 and will continue to accept donations until the end of August.

The event was sponsored by leaders in the fresh produce industry. Premier Sponsors were California Giant Berry Farms, Crunch Pak, Enza Zaden, JAZZ Apples, Mission Produce, Sakata, Tanimura & Antle, Tsamma, and event sponsors Americold, And Now U Know, Arctic Apples, Baja Son, CHEP, Church Brothers, C&S Wholesale Grocers, Coosemans Worldwide,Duda Farm Fresh Foods, Emerson/Locus Traxx Worldwide, 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, Taylor Farms,Tessemae’s, Total Quality Logistics, Watsonville Coast Produce, Western Precooling, and Zespri.