AFP fights hunger with nutrition on National Avocado Day
AFP fights hunger with nutrition on National Avocado Day
San Diego’s less fortunate were buoyed by a generous — and nutritious — donation by Avocados from Peru as part of the third annual Guac-Off Challenge, held on July 31, National Avocado Day.
AFP donated 100,000 avocados — enough to provide more than 500,000 servings of nutrient-rich food to families in need across San Diego County — as part of the Guac-Off Challenge, which saw local TV and radio outlets competing in a bracket-style, Master Chef-inspired guacamole-making competition judged by local food experts.
This year’s champion, CBS 8, walked away with the silver avocado trophy and bragging rights. Participating media outlets included CBS 8, Fox 5, KUSI, Univision San Diego, Univision Radio (Que Buena 106.5 and Amor 102.9) and Local Media San Diego (91X, Magic 92.5 and Z90.3). The judging panel included Troy Johnson of San Diego Magazine, Instagram influencer Darryl Gordon of @sandiegofoodiefan, Daniel Bell of Grocery Outlet and Xavier Equihua of Avocados from Peru.
“This was a very successful event and one that AFP is very proud to sponsor,” said Equihua, CEO of the Peruvian Avocado Commission, who praised the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank, which hosted the event along with retail partner Grocery Outlet. “The San Diego Food Bank did an outstanding job putting this event together and assembling the media representatives who participated. It’s a big production and an amazing cause.”
“At the San Diego Food Bank, fresh produce like avocados offers a rare combination of nutrition, versatility and broad appeal,” said Casey Castillo, CEO of the San Diego Food Bank. “This incredible donation of avocados plays a critical role in providing accessible nourishment to the 400,000 people across the region served each month. With food insecurity still affecting thousands of working families, seniors and children in San Diego, partnerships like these are more important than ever. We are grateful to Avocados from Peru for their generous support.”
Equihua noted that the donation was even more significant this year in light of the cuts made to social programs that aid those in need. He added that San Diego is a fitting locale for this event, as the region has become a very important market for Avocados from Peru.
“San Diego is a city where food and culture go hand-in-hand, and avocados are at the heart of that story,” said Equihua. “San Diego is considered the ‘National Capital of Avocados’ and is second in the nation in per-capita consumption behind Los Angeles. It has also become a very important market for Avocados from Peru due to the outstanding retailer partners in the county, such as Von’s, Ralph’s, Grocery Outlet, Stater Brothers and Costco.”
The July 31 event was the first of three guacamole challenges planned this summer as part of AFP’s promotional efforts, according to Equihua. The next two will be held in August in Chicago and Detroit with retail partners Mariano’s and Meijer Supermarkets, respectively.
“The guacamole challenges are exclusive to AFP, as no other avocado origin holds anything similar,” said Equihua. “They are important events that unite otherwise unrelated entities — AFP, local media and food banks — to fight hunger with nutrition.”
Photo: San Diego Food Bank CEO Casey Castillo (left) and Avocados from Peru CEO Xavier Equihua (right) with the winning team of Shawn Styles and Vanessa Paz from CBS 8.
