Pink Ribbon Produce, a cause-marketing in-store promotion designed to unite the produce industry in the fight against breast cancer, announced Sept. 23 that it is returning this October for its 10th year.

The program and its three produce partners — Harris Teeter, Meijer and Price Chopper — have collectively raised over $553,000 for breast cancer awareness and prevention over the past nine years.

While the campaign will officially run throughout the month of October to coincide with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, promotional efforts will begin in late September. Each of the above-mentioned companies has formed partnerships with influential health and/or food bloggers, whose posts and social media presence will help build and sustain high consumer awareness prior to and throughout the campaign.

Then, beginning Oct. 1, participating produce suppliers and retailers will display educational signs, distribute pamphlets and utilize point-of-sale wobblers in their stores. This in-store marketing will keep Pink Ribbon Produce top-of-mind and encourage consumers to make purchasing decisions that will benefit both themselves and the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

“We are very proud to be celebrating the 10th anniversary of Pink Ribbon Produce and its role in the fight against breast cancer,” Debbie Augustine, founder and executive creative director of AugustineIdeas, based in Roseville, CA, said in a press release. “By uniting produce partners and educating consumers about the importance of healthy eating and lifestyle choices, this promotion has touched thousands of lives and raised over half a million dollars for breast cancer awareness and prevention in the past nine years.”

The American Cancer Society recommends eating two-and-a-half cups of fruits and vegetables every day to lower the risk of cancer. This statistic led Pink Ribbon Produce to develop three vibrant “What’s on Your Plate?” guides.

Through helpful tips and tasty recipes featuring the products from participating produce suppliers, these resources encourage shoppers to fill half of their plates with fruits and vegetables. The goal is that these guides, combined with the blogger campaign, informative website and in-store marketing, will inspire consumers to actively lower their risk of breast cancer by balancing their meals. Consumers can download any of the “What’s on Your Plate?” guides for free by visiting www.pinkribbonproduce.org.

Through various fundraising activities, including Pink Ribbon Produce, NBCF provides funding for research, educational programs and mammograms to women across the country. By uniting produce suppliers and retailers with NBCF, Pink Ribbon Produce creates a convenient way for shoppers to support breast cancer research and prevention. Additionally, all of the in-store marketing includes links back to the promotion’s website, which includes a quick “Donate Today” feature that directs visitors to NBCF’s secure donation portal.

During the month of October, Pink Ribbon Produce will bring 583 Harris Teeter, Meijer and Price Chopper stores together.