WP Produce—a Miami-based and family-owned grower, packer and shipper of Desbry® brand tropical fruits and roots—brings colorful, flavorful and nutritious innovation to school lunch with its Tropical Fruit Pilot Program. Introduced at Fort Wayne Community Schools, one of Indiana's largest school districts, the company’s first tropical fruit menu items include Desbry Tropical Avocado Guacamole and Red Dragon Fruit.
Students in the Fort Wayne Community Schools district, participating in the pilot program.
Despite the known health benefits of fruit and vegetable intake, a majority of children do not meet the recommendations. A report by the National Farm to School Network emphasizes a dietary approach that includes fresh produce to promote holistic, lifelong positive overall dietary quality which leads to better long-term health. By exploring local and seasonal foods through nutrition education and foodservice, kids are encouraged to meet the dietary objectives within an accessible, culturally relevant frame.
“We are committed to improving food and nutrition security,” said Desiree Pardo Morales, VP. “What better place to encourage healthy habits than at schools by offering tasty tropical and exotic fruits to round out their options.”
“It can be challenging to incorporate fruit and vegetables into children’s meals,” said Monica Alameda, marketing director. “Our tropical fruits are exciting with vibrant colors, juicy textures and fresh tastes.”
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L-R: Desiree Pardo Morales, Monica Alameda.
Conceptualized by Pardo and Alameda, both moms of young children, the company collaborated with dietitian and school nutrition advocate, Tarrah Westercamp, MS, RD, SNS, to innovate school lunch options with tropical and exotic fruits. “It’s so fulfilling to bring exotic flavors to school meals and expand students’ palates,” said Westercamp. “Our farm-to-school approach helps these students enjoy and learn so much about the world around them.”
Since its inception nearly 40 years ago, WP Produce has been committed to increasing consumer accessibility to tropical and exotic fruits through innovative distribution channels. In addition to consistent retail and foodservice supply, its direct-to-consumer sister company Tropical Fruit Box delivers produce from around the world directly to customers' doors in the continental U.S. The Tropical Fruit Pilot Program adds a new layer by leveraging WP Produce’s farmer network and reliable supply chain.
For more information:
Yvonne Marie Lorie
WP Produce
Tel: +1 (305) 546-3688
yvonne.lorie@re-freshpr.com
https://www.wpproduce.com/tropical-produce