FPAA dedicates salad bar to Ariz. school
FPAA dedicates salad bar to Ariz. school
The Fresh Produce Association of the Americas announced the dedication of salad bar equipment to San Cayetano Elementary School in Rio Rico, AZ, as part of the Let’s Move Salad Bars 2 School program. The dedication occurred Feb. 17 at the San Cayetano Elementary School and included school representatives, members of the FPAA and Rep. Raul Grijalva.
The program was launched in 2010 with the mission of improving access in schools to fresh fruits and vegetables for children across the United States. Many school districts are unable to afford the basic equipment needed to successfully implement a salad bar program as part of their daily food offerings.
Research shows that incorporating salad bars into school lunches increases the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables. Through positive, frequent experiences with fresh produce, children can better incorporate healthy eating choices into their diets for life.
The FPAA represents U.S. companies that are involved in the growing, harvesting, and distribution of fresh fruits and vegetables. The association is headquartered in Nogales, AZ, the largest port of entry for fresh produce exported from Mexico into the United States. The donation of the salad bar was made possible through generous sponsorship from the Nogales U.S. Customs Brokers Association, and through the program, the FPAA and the Custom Brokers had previously donated a salad bar to Lincoln Elementary School in Nogales.
“As the largest private employer in Santa Cruz County, many of the families in our area are involved in selling fresh fruits and vegetables across North America,” Lance Jungmeyer, president of the FPAA, said in a press release. “We feel this partnership between the Let’s Move Salad Bars to Schools program, the FPAA, the Nogales U.S. Customs Brokers Association and our local school districts is an important way to bring home the importance of fresh produce for the children in our community. This is a great way to incorporate healthy eating into their diets and also to showcase the important work many of their parents do in the fresh produce industry.”