The Produce Marketing Association (PMA) has allocated the first installment of funding for the "Let’s Move Salad Bars to Schools" campaign, with the aim of giving kids better access to healthy food and fighting the epidemic of childhood obesity.

First Lady Michelle Obama at the campaign's launch in Miami last year.

As a member of the National Fruit and Vegetable Alliance (NFVA), the PMA has slated funding of US$100,000 for Californian schools in the Anderson Valley Unified, Cupertino Union Elementary, Hemet Unified and Inglewood Unified districts, along with additional donations from member leaders.

These schools were chosen due to "long-time need" considerations in conjunction with the "Let’s Move Salad Bars to California School" campaign organized by the United Fresh Produce Association and the Fresh Produce and Floral Council, which is aiming to place 350 salad bars in the state's schools by May 15.

PMA chairman and California Avocado Commission vice president of marketing Jan DeLyser, said the association's leadership was delighted to contribute to this industry-wide initiative.

"We're pleased to work with United Fresh and many other organizations in supporting such a great cause," she said.

PMA CEO Bryan Silbermann encouraged members who still wanted to donate to the program to do so.

"There’s never a deadline on funding a worthy cause like this one. I greatly appreciate the support shown by those members and individuals who helped fund our salad bar contribution to California."

At the time of writing, the campaign had raised close to US$5.94 million, with more than 1.2 million children served and 243 salad bars granted.

The campaign is aiming for donations of US$15 million in total.

Photo: United Fresh

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