Whole Kids Foundation® Raising Money for School Salad Bars, Gardens
Foundation’s Mission is to Improve Children’s Access to Fresh Fruits
and Vegetables
AUSTIN, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–With its 2016 Growing Healthy Kids campaign, Whole Kids Foundation aims
to raise $4 million to fund programs that give schoolchildren in the
U.S., Canada and the U.K. better access to fresh fruits and vegetables.
Throughout September, Whole Foods Market (Nasdaq:WFM) shoppers can get
involved by participating in one of hundreds of in-store events or by
making donations at store checkouts or online at wholekidsfoundation.org.
Because Whole Foods Market covers all of the foundation’s operational
costs, 100 percent of every dollar donated directly supports Whole Kids
Foundation programs. The campaign’s goal is to raise $4 million to fund
school salad bars and gardens, and nutrition education classes for
teachers.
“The Growing Healthy Kids Campaign is an integral part of the
foundation’s work,” said Nona Evans, president and executive director of
Whole Kids Foundation. “It provides us the opportunity to raise funds to
support our programs, and to engage with community members that shop at
Whole Foods Market and care about children’s nutrition and health.”
Since 2011, Whole Kids Foundation’s programs have impacted the lives of
more than 4 million children in the U.S., Canada and the U.K., have
funded more than 3,600 school gardens and have implemented 4,600 salad
bars in schools. Additionally, Whole Kids Foundation has reached 11,000
teachers with its healthy teacher education program.
As part of this year’s Growing Healthy Kids Campaign, each of the
following supplier partners has pledged to donate $40,000 to support the
foundation’s work: Annie’s, Applegate, Back to Nature, Barbara’s Bakery,
Cascadian Farm, Clif Kid, Health Warrior, King Arthur Flour, Organic
Valley, Rudi’s Organic Bakery, Tom’s of Maine, and Stonyfield Farm.
Whole Kids Foundation keeps a laser focus on programs that support
schools and inspire families to improve nutrition. With resources from
this annual campaign, the organization is able to evolve and respond to
changing needs over time. For example, as part of a new initiative this
year, Whole Kids Foundation recently awarded $200,000 to nine recipients
through its Healthy Kids Innovation Grant, created to fund the next
generation of ideas in children’s nutrition and engage kids in making
healthy food choices.
Whole Kids Foundation accepts applications for its Salad
Bar Grant Program, created in partnership with Let’s
Move Salad Bars to Schools, year-round at wholekidsfoundation.org.
It’s also accepting applications for its School
Garden Grant Program, created in partnership with FoodCorps.
Schools can apply through Oct. 31 in the U.S., and through Nov. 15 in
Canada.
About Whole Kids Foundation®
Whole Kids Foundation, a Whole Foods Market (Nasdaq:WFM) foundation, is
based in Austin, Texas, and operates as an independent, nonprofit
organization. By empowering schools and inspiring families, the
Foundation aims to help children reach optimal health through the
strength of a healthy body fueled by nutritious food. For more
information on the Foundation’s programs including school gardens, salad
bars and nutrition education for teachers, visit wholekidsfoundation.org.
Contacts
Curator
Ann Marie Ricard, 206-683-0552
annmarie.ricard@curatorpr.com
