80,000 Chicago students sample fresh mangoes
The National Mango Board and Coral Gables, Fla.-based Del Monte Fresh Produce NA donated mango samples, fact sheets, and promotional materials to students in 97 Chicago public schools participating in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program.
The April 25 event gave samples to 80,000 children who attend elementary schools in the city’s highest poverty neighborhoods, according to a news release.
“Our mission is to increase the awareness and love for mangoes in the United States, one bite at a time,” Valda Coryat, National Mango Board marketing director, said in the release. “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.”
Dennis Christou, vice president of marketing for Del Monte Fresh Produce, said it was an important event.
“Today was a special day that allowed us to partner with the nation’s third-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,” he said in the release.
Del Monte Fresh Produce supplies Chicago and other school districts fresh fruits and vegetables for the program, which is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This is the first event Del Monte Fresh partnered with a commodity organization to highlight a fruit or vegetable through the program. The mango board donated interactive educational materials and mango-themed rulers to educate students about mangos.
“The FFVP helps to increase children’s produce consumption at school and at home,” Andrew Marshall, director of foundation programs and partnerships at the United Fresh Produce Association, said in the release.
United Fresh is an 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,” Marshall said.
The program benefits more than four million elementary school students in all 50 states and U.S. territories.
