School association and United Fresh to help students get produce

The School Nutrition Association and the United Fresh Produce Association are partnering to connect produce distributors with school foodservice directors looking for single-serve, wrapped produce as part of meal distributions.

“School nutrition professionals in communities across the country are going above and beyond to ensure children and families have access to healthy food options while schools are closed,” SNA CEO Patricia Montague said in a news release. “Our members want to include fresh fruits and vegetables with their meal distributions and our collaboration with United Fresh will assist our members to identify local distributors that offer pre-packaged fresh produce that meets their needs.”

The associations will identify ways for produce foodservice distributors and processors to deliver produce to children and families in need, according to the release.

“Foodservice distributors and processors have strong capabilities to deliver a variety of produce choices and we look forward to new opportunities to serve children and families,” Tom Stenzel, United Fresh president and CEO, said in the release. “We’re pleased to partner with SNA, knowing that in this time of crisis, many Americans are relying on their local school for meals. Together, we can work to get fresh, healthy foods to those in need.” 

The associations are planning a web seminar to highlight schools that including produce in lunches, and ways distributors can support schools with current needs, according to the release.

For more information on how produce associations are providing solutions during the pandemic, see The Packer's COVID-19 updates page.

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