Zespri Partners With Produce For Kids Power Your Lunchbox Pledge

    IRVINE, CA, August 16, 2017 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Zespri's SunGold Kiwifruit is the featured fruit in Zespri's partnership with Produce for Kids, Power Your Lunchbox Pledge, a national campaign that encourages families to pack a healthy lunchbox utilizing participating companies' products. For every pledge, Power Your Lunchbox partners donate a collective $1 donation to Feeding America to provide meals to families in need.

Produce for Kids helps families eat healthier with simple recipes and fresh ideas. Over $6 million has been raised for children's charities across the country while helping promote the produce industry and the consumption of fruits and vegetables. Since 2015, Produce for Kids partnership with Feeding America has provided four million meals to families in need. One dollar helps provide 11 meals secured by Feeding America on behalf of local member food banks.

"We are excited to partner with Produce for Kids," explains Sarah Deaton, Zespri's marketing manager for North America. "The SunGold Kiwifruit has a sweet tropical flavor and is delicious, nutritious and easy-to-eat. It's ideal for a kid's lunchbox. Besides the amazing taste, a serving of kiwifruit has three times the vitamin C of an orange and a range of other health benefits. The Produce for Kids program is the perfect partnership to help families on their healthy eating journey understand the benefits of kiwifruit."

Zespri's SunGold Kiwifruit will be featured on the Power Your Lunchbox microsite and promoted through the Produce for Kids social channels including bloggers and social media influencers. Special co-branded recipes featuring Zespri's SunGold will be promoted throughout the campaign. Produce for Kids will host a Twitter party on August 17th at 4pm EST to generate excitement. Prior to the Twitter party, Zespri is sending SunGold Kiwifruit to bloggers and promoting the event to draw awareness to SunGold and Produce for Kids.

"Families are looking for ways to start the year off on the right foot and the Power Your Lunchbox Pledge offers everything they need in one spot," said Trish James, vice president, Produce for Kids. "Families want to know their kids are receiving the right brain food to get them through the day. Our registered dietitian-approved meal inspiration, tips and ideas provide the foundation families need for success."

Participating retailers promote the Produce for Kids program because it helps augment their shoppers' experience by providing additional tools to prepare healthy meals for their families. Produce for Kids' recipes and online content are valuable resources for their customers. Throughout the year, shoppers can look for the Produce for Kids logo next to produce brands at participating retailers to support local charities.

Zespri International exports premium kiwifruit to 59 countries and is recognized as one of the world's most successful horticulture marketing companies. Based in Mount Maunganui, New Zealand, Zespri is 100 percent owned by current or past NZ kiwifruit growers, and employs around 500 people in New Zealand, Asia, Europe and the Americas. The Zespri brand is the global leader in premium quality kiwifruit. On behalf of 2,500 growers in New Zealand and 1,200 growers based elsewhere, Zespri manages kiwifruit innovation and supply management, distribution management and marketing of Zespri Green, Zespri SunGold and Zespri Organic. For more information on Zespri North America, please visit www.zesprikiwi.com.

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