H-E-B partners with Dole to donate seven salad bars to Seguin ISD

Salad Bars to SchoolsCommitted to increasing healthier options for students, H-E-B will donate seven salad bars to elementary schools in Seguin Independent School District (ISD), a district where 69 percent of students qualify for free and reduced lunch. The self-serve produce bars are made possible through a partnership with Dole Food Company and will feature a wide array of fresh fruits and vegetables to boost new choices for students at breakfast and lunch.

“H-E-B is committed to the well-being of Texans and we have a responsibility to take leadership in improving the health of our communities,” said Hugh Topper, group vice president of fresh for H-E-B. “In particular, investing in our children has the power to change the way future generations see the importance of health and wellness in their lives.”

Representatives with H-E-B and Dole were joined by leadership from United Fresh Produce Association, Chartwells, Seguin ISD and local and state officials today to present Rodriguez Elementary School in Seguin with a new salad bar at a celebration event.

“With one-third of the nation’s children either overweight or obese, we need to look at new ways to encourage healthier eating,” said Bil Goldfield, Dole’s director of corporate communications. “It’s important to start the nutrition conversation, and offer tangible healthy alternatives, as early in childhood as possible. By offering permanent salad bars stocked with fresh fruit and vegetables, we are hopefully establishing healthier eating habits that will last a lifetime.”

The salad bar donations from H-E-B and Dole were organized in conjunction with the United Fresh Start Foundation, a founding partner of the national “Let’s Move Salad Bars to Schools” initiative. To date, the initiative has facilitated the donation of salad bars to more than 4,100 schools nationwide, benefitting nearly 3 million children every school day.

“We are pleased to partner with H-E-B and Dole to provide salad bars to schools in this area of the country, ensuring students here will have access to more fresh produce, and healthier options at lunch,” said Tom Stenzel, president and CEO of the United Fresh Produce Association. “Salad bars empower students to make healthy choices and get kids excited to eat their fruits and veggies at school and beyond.”

Seguin ISD and its food service vendor, Chartwells, have pledged to continually stock the salad bars with fresh produce options, ensuring that children get exposure to fruits and vegetables on a daily basis.

“We are all very excited about this new salad bar, which will reinforce nutrition education messages while providing students the ability to select from a variety of fruit and vegetable options each day,” said Stetson Roane, Seguin ISD superintendent.



Be sure to check out our other specialty agriculture brands

Organic Grower