Healthy Family Project’s annual thank you reception at the Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure saw more than 200 produce industry professionals celebrating the impact of its cause marketing programs.
Cause marketing retail and digital campaigns in 2022 raised $235,000 for Feeding America food banks, Our Military Kids, Foundation for Fresh Produce and Ripe for Revival.
“This was our largest thank you reception to date and a great way to celebrate 20 years of giving back,” said John Shuman, president of Shuman Farms and founder of the Healthy Family Project.
“With the support of our retail and produce company partners, we are continuing to deliver best-in-class cause marketing programs influencing millions of families to eat healthier while also giving back to charities across the U.S.”
Donation checks were presented for each 2022 retail and digital program, including Associated Wholesale Grocers Springfield Division, Lowes Food Stores, Military Produce Group and Publix Super Markets, as well as digital programs Mission for Nutrition and Back to School.
The inspiration from the reception carried over to the Healthy Family Project booth at the Southern Exposure Expo, which featured a grass wall adorned with neon fruits and vegetables. Booth visitors were encouraged to snap a photo and post it to social media with the hashtag #HealthyFamilyProject to donate a meal to Feeding America with a commitment to donate 1,000 meals.
Reception and booth visitors were able to take home a “Fruits & Veggies & Giving Back” t-shirt that has gained popularity in the industry to showcase the willingness of the produce industry to give back through education, resources and donations to charities.
In addition to these in-store campaigns, 2023 digital campaigns include Mission for Nutrition, which launched on March 1, and Back to School with Healthy Family Proejct program that will launch in August to kick-off the school year.
As a cause marketing organization, Healthy Family Project creates programs, like Produce for Kids, that provides inspiring recipes and healthy ideas. Since its creation in 2002 by Shuman Farms, Healthy Family Project has raised more than $7.5 million to benefit families and provided 18 million meals through Feeding America.
