The inaugural Produce for Kids Mission for Nutrition promotion, in celebration of National Nutrition Month, saw success in its first year by aligning with health-conscious brands, commodities and retail dietitians. The online and in-store program focused on the importance of a healthy family diet and the value of meal planning and prepping, while aiming to increase the consumption of fresh produce.
Mission for Nutrition kits filled with health-focused items for display were delivered to more than 400 retail dietitians at 52 retailers across the U.S. and Canada. Dietitians were encouraged to create a display or host an event with these items and submit photos to be considered for a $1,000 continued education scholarship.
This year’s scholarship winner is Jennifer Klein, MS, RDN, who is a retail dietitian at the ShopRite of Manchester, New Jersey.
“I am honored to be the recipient of the scholarship,” said Klein. “Throughout the month of March, I used the recipes from the Mission for Nutrition kit during multiple in-store demos and cooking classes. Our ShopRite kids cooking class especially loved the barbeque chicken tamale recipe.”
Retail dietitians across the country utilized the materials with Girl Scout groups, store tours, informational displays, recipe demonstrations and more. More than 22,000 mini-magazines featuring partnering health-conscious brands were distributed in stores.
“We are thrilled to present Jennifer with this scholarship. Consumers really latched on to the hashtag #MissionforNutrition, and by the end of the month, we certainly had a strong conversation taking place,” said Trish James, VP at Produce for Kids, an Orlando, Florida, organization.
The partner brands and commodities included samples, coupons, brochures or promotional items in the kits distributed to retail dietitians.
As with all Produce for Kids programs, Feeding America’s programs that benefit families and children will receive a $8,000 donation tied to Mission for Nutrition. Produce for Kids has raised more than $6.7 million for charities that benefit families and children since 2002.
Produce for Kids creates programs that provide easy, fun, and inspiring recipes. Since its creation in 2002 by Shuman Produce Inc., Produce for Kids has raised more than $6.7 million to charities that support children and families.
