For Okanagan Specialty Fruits (OSF), the company behind nonbrowning Arctic® apple varieties, promoting healthy eating isn’t just a goal, it’s a passion. When Jennifer Armen, Director of Business Development & Marketing for OSF, was given the opportunity to help put salad bars in schools, she jumped at the chance. In July, Jenn took part in the Tour de Fresh three-day cycling event that raises funds to benefit the Let's Move Salad Bars to Schools initiative. Having both personal and professional ties to Idaho, Jenn chose to fundraise for a salad bar to be donated to a school in the Boise School District.
Jenn recently had the pleasure of visiting West Junior High School, the Boise, Idaho school where the salad bar she cycled in support of resides. “I am ecstatic to see this salad bar in action! Promoting fruit and vegetables as part of a healthy diet and cycling are both a huge part of my life. Getting the opportunity to represent Arctic® apples in the Tour de Fresh was a highlight of my summer, and seeing the tangible impact of this event is something I will never forget. I’m so glad I was able to take part and am proud that Arctic® apples sponsored this important initiative.” Jenn added that she would like to thank all those who helped her exceed her fundraising goal.
Peggy Bodnar, Food and Nutrition Services Supervisor for the Boise School District, joined Jennifer at the school. “The salad bars at our junior high schools have been a wonderful addition to the meal service. Trying to get students to eat more fruits and vegetables is sometimes a difficult task. The new salad bars makes it all the easier! Students get to pick from several choices of fruits and veggies every day for lunch.”
Since the program’s inception, Tour de Fresh organizers have collaborated with the United Fresh Start Foundation to coordinate outreach to schools and facilitate salad bar donations following the event. Andrew Marshall of the United Fresh Produce Association shared his congratulations, “Jennifer’s donation is not only helping to provide children in Boise with greater access to fresh produce with a new salad bar, but through her participation in the Tour de Fresh, Jennifer has also helped the United Fresh Start Foundation connect with a child nutrition leader that we previously did not have a relationship with. This is certainly a win!”
The 2016 Tour de Fresh helped finance salad bars for 50 schools across the United States. Supporters included produce company sponsors, individuals who work in the produce industry, as well as their work colleagues, family and friends. On their website, Tour de Fresh notes that salad bars not only improve produce intake by offering a convenient healthy option, they also offer personal experiences that extend to behavior later in life.
For more information:
Jessica Brady
Marketing Communications Specialist
Tel: (250) 404-0101