The annual industry fundraiser for salad bars in schools gets started in less than one week, with the cycling event beginning July 23.
Now in its fifth year, the event has garnered significant support across the industry. The foundation of California Giant Berry Farms coordinates the event.
“One of the reasons I am passionate about this cause is because of the kids in my life and how thankful I am for their good health every day,” United Fresh chairwoman and California Giant vice president of marketing Cindy Jewell said in a news release.
“When my kids were little, I donated to charities that benefited kids on their behalf all the time. Giving back should be personal, and working in the fresh produce industry, we have a unique opportunity to give back to a cause that we all care about dearly, and we each have kids in our lives that we would love to see impacted by this event.
“Whether it’s our own kids, relatives or even kids in the neighborhood, if each of us made a donation on behalf of one or more kids we care about it would have a huge impact on this event and the cause,” Jewell said in the release.
Tour de Fresh has raised more than $600,000 since 2014 to place 184 salad bars in schools, according to the release.
The total for the 2018 event is nearly $94,000 currently, and organizers hope to bring in another $82,000. The goal is to be able to place close to 50 more salad bars.
Cyclists participating in Tour de Fresh will ride in California from Kirkwood to Jackson on July 23, from Jackson to Livermore on July 24, from Livermore to Aptos on July 25, and from Aptos to Monterey on July 26.