Fresh Express, Chiquita and Planet Harvest are bringing the Fresh Communities Tour: From the Fields to America’s Cities to Salinas this May, delivering thousands of fresh food boxes to families across Monterey County, CA.

Following a successful launch in south Florida earlier this year, the Salinas activation marks the second stop in a growing national initiative aimed at expanding access to fresh, nutritious food and supporting communities with practical, everyday meal options.

Each food box includes a mix of fresh fruits and vegetables, Fresh Express salad kits, Chiquita bananas and pantry staples such as rice, beans and protein, along with recipe inspiration to help families easily prepare balanced meals at home.

Located in the heart of the “Salad Bowl of the World,” Salinas represents a meaningful moment for the initiative connecting one of the country’s most important agricultural regions with the local families and communities it serves.

“Salinas is central to who we are at Fresh Express. It’s where our roots run deep and where so much of America’s fresh produce begins,” said Fresh Express CEO John Olivo. “Through the Fresh Communities Tour, we’re proud to support this community by helping expand access to fresh food and making it easier for families to enjoy simple, nutritious meals.”

Fresh Express contributes to the initiative by making fresh eating more accessible through convenient, ready-to-enjoy salads that help simplify meal preparation. Chiquita supports the effort by providing fresh fruit that complements balanced, everyday nutrition, while Planet Harvest enables the initiative by coordinating sourcing, logistics and partnerships to ensure food reaches communities efficiently.

“At Chiquita, we believe fresh, nutritious food should be within reach for every family,” said Peter Stedman, Chiquita's sustainability director. “Through our collaboration with Fresh Express and Planet Harvest, we’re proud to support communities like Salinas by providing high-quality fruit and reinforcing the importance of simple, everyday nutrition.”

“We’re proud to bring together partners across agriculture and community organizations to deliver meaningful impact,” said Planet Harvest CEO Melissa Ackerman. “This initiative is about supporting communities and making fresh food more accessible in a way that’s practical and meaningful for families.”

In addition to food distribution, the events include family-friendly recipe inspiration and nutrition resources to help families turn fresh ingredients into quick, enjoyable meals.

The initiative will continue to expand to additional markets throughout 2026, including upcoming activations in Chicago and additional programs later in the year, building a scalable national platform that connects farms to communities across the country.