Wonderful Halos is kicking off the back-to-school season on a sweet note with a nationwide contest to support teachers and help fund classrooms. According to the National Education Association, over 90 percent of teachers spend their own money on school supplies every year. With inflation driving school supply prices up nearly 24 percent, Wonderful Halos wanted to ease the financial burden of the new school year for some of the everyday heroes who make a difference in students’ lives.  

Now through Sept. 26, educators and families across the country are encouraged to nominate a sweet teacher for a chance to win a $10,000 cash prize and a year’s supply of Wonderful Halos. Five runners-up will also receive a $1,500 Amazon eGift card to fulfill their classroom wish list.  

“The impact of one deserving teacher can forever change the life of a student. With our Sweetest Teacher contest, we are shining a necessary light on the incredible dedication teachers bring every day as the heart and soul of our schools,” said Jennifer Hirano, vice president of marketing for The Wonderful Company. “Both through this initiative and with Wonderful Halos as a healthy, sweet snack, we are committed to fueling and inspiring healthy learning all year long.”  

Nominations are open to all public and private school teachers, including subject specialists who work with students from pre-K through 12th grade. Each nomination must include a brief statement (350 words or fewer) explaining how the prize would benefit their classroom. Entries will be evaluated based on the nominee’s impact, classroom needs, emotional resonance and originality. The grand prize winner and runners-up will be selected Sept. 30 and announced by Oct. 3. 

To further celebrate the start of the school year, Wonderful Halos will hit the road with family-friendly pop-up events at select East Coast grocery stores, featuring on-site sampling, giveaways, an inflatable bounce house and coloring stations. The road tour reminds parents that Halos are convenient, nutritious and kid-approved — perfect for packing in everyday lunch boxes. Timed for the busy back-to-school season, Halos also provide 50 percent of the recommended daily value of vitamin C per serving and are a natural source of energy to help kids and parents alike power through their day.  

To make it easier to find Wonderful Halos, shoppers can look for the vibrant new point-of-sale displays featuring a cheerful, school-ready child, promoting Halos as “The Backpack Snack Hack.” Naturally sweet, seedless and easy-to-peel, Halos help take the stress out of lunchbox prep — making it easy for families to “snack to school” with confidence.  

The world’s sweetest mandarins are available year-round in two-, three- and five-pound bags at grocery, mass and club stores nationwide