Del Monte Fresh Produce and National Mango Board Team to Sample Mangos to 80,000 Students
CHICAGO, IL – Del Monte Fresh Produce paired with the National Mango Board to bring mango samples, fact sheets, and promotional materials to 80,000 students at 97 Chicago Public Schools through the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP). The produce provider and trade association held a sampling event April 25th for students at elementary schools in the city’s highest poverty neighborhoods.
“We’re so pleased to be partnering with the National Mango Board and Chicago Public Schools to provide children in Chicago with the ability to try fresh-cut mango, as part of the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program,” said Dennis Christou, Vice President of Marketing, North America for Del Monte Fresh Produce, in a joint press release. “Today was a special day that allowed us to partner with the nation’s 3rd largest school district, one of our commodity partners, in the National Mango Board, and to showcase the benefits of the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, which helps introduce and encourage children to try new fresh fruits and vegetables at school.”
Del Monte Fresh N.A. works with schools in Chicago and throughout the country to provide fresh fruits and vegetables through the FFVP.
“Our mission is to increase the awareness and love for mangos in the United States, one bite at a time,” noted Valda Coryat, Director of Marketing, National Mango Board. “We are so grateful to participate in the FFVP and to help provide fresh and nutritious fruit to students, many of whom may have never tried mango before. Every child should be given the opportunity to eat healthy, fresh produce.”
According to the press release, the sampling event held last Thursday was unique, because it represents the first example of Del Monte Fresh Produce partnering with a produce commodity organization to highlight a specific produce category on a school’s FFVP menu.
“The FFVP helps to increase children’s produce consumption at school and at home,” said Andrew Marshall, Director of Foundation Programs and Partnerships at the United Fresh Produce Association, a leading advocate for the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program. “Research has shown that in schools with the FFVP, students are more accepting of healthier school lunches that include fresh fruits and vegetables, and they are even going home and influencing their families to eat healthy, and choose fresh produce.”
In total, the FFVP benefits more than four million students in elementary schools spread across all 50 states by increasing children’s fruit and vegetable consumption, educating students on nutrition, and creating healthier school food environments.
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