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PBS characters promote produce in Florida schools
Andy
Nelson
The Packer
September 4, 2008
Florida elementary school pupils will have a few new produce items to try
out their first month back in school this year.
And to help convince them to actually eat them, some PBS
kids’ show characters are coming to their cafeterias.
The Central Florida Orange County Public School
District, the nation’s 12th-largest district, is the
beneficiary of a new program sponsored by Orlando,
Fla.-based Produce for Kids, PBS Kids and Publix Super
Markets.
The week of Sept. 8, elementary school children in the
district will be served veggie dippers, orange slices,
stir-fry broccoli and other items not normally on their
school lunch menu, the majority of which will be fresh,
said Heidi McIntyre, marketing director of Produce for
Kids.
“Eat Smart for a Great Start,” as the program is called,
is the organization’s first foray into school
cafeterias, McIntyre said.
The past two Octobers, Produce for Kids has sponsored
fall educational programs with retailers, she said.
Feedback from retailers interested in pushing the
program up to September, to take advantage of
back-to-school promotions, helped lead to the new
in-school program, she said.
“It’s our second year partnering with PBS Kids, which is
great — they bring a lot of value to the program — and
they’re excited we’ve added the school component,” she
said.
PBS Kids stars Hooper, Dot & Dash and Miss Rosa are
scheduled to make appearances in district schools to
convince kids to pick those new fruit and veggie menu
items, McIntyre said. Segments featuring the characters
air between “Curious George” and other PBS programs.
Also as part of the campaign, Publix will give all
participating district children environmentally friendly
green bags loaded with coupons, Produce for Kids
activity sheets, stickers and pencils, McIntyre said.
Also on tap for Produce for Kids this fall, from Sept. 4
to Oct. 31, participating retailers and produce
companies will make donations for every fresh produce
item purchased during the period. The donations will
help PBS provide programming and other resources to
encourage kids to be healthy.
Giant Food Stores, King Soopers, Meijer, Price Chopper
and Publix are among the retail participants in the
program.
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