Rouses Markets has joined the Produce for Kids family aligned with 10 produce partners in an effort to educate shoppers on the benefits of healthy eating while supporting local Feeding America member food banks, including Feeding the Gulf Coast, Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, and Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana.
The campaign kicked off Sept. 9 and will be live in stores through the end of 2020. Shoppers will notice signage near each of the produce partners as well as family-friendly recipes showcased in-store with scannable QR codes to obtain the recipes.
“We are excited to kick off this new partnership with Rouses Markets with such a great round-up of produce companies,” said Trish James, vice president of Produce for Kids. “We know Rouses Markets is dedicated to nutrition and supporting their communities so the Produce for Kids campaign is a perfect fit.”
Produce brands participating in the initiative are donating 100,000 meals to Feeding America member food banks in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama and include Curation Foods, Dole, Earth Greens, Mountain King, Pure Flavor, Schraad Sales & Marketing, Shuman Farms, Sage Fruit, Sunkist and Marzetti.
In addition to in-store signage, the campaign details will be highlighted in the weekly circular and featured in My Rouses Everyday, a magazine distributed to more than 65 Rouses Markets stores. Rouses Markets’ registered dietitian, April Sins, will be hosting a series of Facebook Lives highlighting partner products in recipe ideas for families throughout the campaign.
“At Rouses Markets, we are focused on helping our shoppers achieve a well-balanced diet full of fruits and vegetables,” said Sins. “Implementing the Produce for Kids campaign offers yet another avenue for us to support our families through inspiring recipes while also giving back to people in need.”
Now more than ever, Feeding America member food banks are in need of support as COVID-19 has affected unemployment rates and the ability for kids to receive daily meals, often provided at school. According to USDA, one in nine people in the U.S. struggle with hunger.
