Oct 8, 2019

California Giant Foundation gears up for annual Tour de Fresh ride

The sixth annual Tour de Fresh ride, presented by the California Giant Foundation, is set to commence in a matter of days and there is still an opportunity to support the cause ahead of PMA Fresh Summit.

Each year, nearly 50 riders embark on a four-day cycling event to raise funds benefiting the United Fresh Start Foundation, which helps to ensure every student has access to fresh fruits and vegetables through salad bars. To date, the 2019 ride has raised over $130,000 to put salad bars into schools. With the help of generous donations, Tour de Fresh seeks to surpass the 2018 total of $149,588 and provide even more fresh options for students in need.

“Another year has flown by and our highly-anticipated fundraiser Tour de Fresh is almost here,” said Cindy Jewell, vice president of marketing for the California Giant Berry Farms. “As professionals in the fresh produce industry, making sure everyone has access to fresh fruits and vegetables is at the heart of what we do and we are so proud to partner with Salad Bars to Schools to see this come to fruition.”

As of October 2019, Salad Bars to Schools received 308 requests for salad bars from schools across the U.S, which would grant more than 150,000 students access to fresh produce. Participants of the 2019 Tour de Fresh set a goal to finance at least 50 salad bars, at a cost of approximately $3,500 per bar. In order to raise the funds needed for this goal, participants are calling on the fresh produce industry, friends and family to support the cause.

There are still several opportunities to support childhood nutrition through school provided salad bars. To donate and become a part of this noteworthy cause, visit https://www.tourdefresh.com/riders/ or contact the Tour de Fresh team directly at [email protected].

Tour de Fresh, presented by The California Giant Foundation, is the one-of-its-kind, collaborative event that unites the most significant brands and influencers in the fresh produce industry for a four-day cycling event that raises funds to benefit the Salad Bars to Schools campaign. In its first five years (2014-2018), Tour de Fresh placed 225 salad bars in schools across the country. Sponsors and participants alike strongly believe that providing healthy eating opportunities for school children should be a requirement, which keeps this event thriving year after year.

Salad Bars to Schools is a public health campaign to increase salad bars in schools across the country so that every child has the choice of healthy fruits and vegetables every day at school. Salad Bars to Schools supports former First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! Initiative to end childhood obesity in a generation. Salad Bars to Schools founding partners are: The United Fresh Start Foundation, National Fruit and Vegetable Alliance, the Chef Ann Foundation and Whole Kids Foundation. More information can be found online at www.saladbars2schools.org.