School Districts Receive Free Salad Bars Through Potatoes USA's "21 Weeks of Giving" Campaign

DENVER, Jan. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Beginning today, Potatoes USA is giving schools across the country the opportunity to serve more fresh fruits and vegetables by donating salad bars to one school district every week as part of its "21 Weeks of Giving" campaign. Representatives announced the news during the School Nutrition Association's School Nutrition Industry Conference, an annual gathering of passionate school foodservice operators and industry partners, taking place this year in New Orleans, Louisiana.

"This program is all about making vegetables and fruits more accessible to students," said Rachael Lynch, Global Marketing Manager for Potatoes USA. "School districts who have asked to receive a donated salad bar have done so because they understand the value it brings to their lunch rooms."

"Potatoes USA is working collaboratively with the United Fresh Start Foundation to bring salad bars to schools across the country," said Andrew Marshall, Director of the Let's Move Salad Bars to School campaign. While there is growing awareness of the health and educational benefits that salad bars provide to kids, many school districts are unable to afford the basic equipment needed to adopt this strategy. With 280+ salad bar donations to-date, the potato industry is the #1 commodity donor of the Let's Move Salad Bars to Schools campaign through the United Fresh Start Foundation.

Salad bars are versatile tools for school nutrition professionals and can be used to serve more than just salads. "I've seen operators use salad bars as creative topping bars for fresh baked potatoes, yogurt and so much more," says Lynch.

Potatoes make an excellent addition to any salad bar as they're available year-round and contribute to the recommended daily value of key nutrients like potassium, fiber, protein and Vitamin C.¹  Research shows when potatoes are present at mealtime, kids eat more of other vegetables, too.²

Evangeline Parish School District of Louisiana was announced as the first district to be awarded a salad bar through the 21 Weeks of Giving campaign. Future salad bar recipients will be announced on Potatoes USA's official school foodservice-focused Facebook page: facebook.com/PotatoesRaiseTheBar.

To find out how to get your school district on the list for a salad bar donation, visit SaladBars2Schools."

About Potatoes USA
Potatoes USA is the nation's potato marketing and research organization. Based in Denver, Colorado, Potatoes USA represents more than 2,500 potato growers and handlers across the country. Potatoes USA was established in 1971 by a group of potato growers to promote the benefits of eating potatoes. Today, as the largest vegetable commodity board, Potatoes USA is proud to be recognized as an innovator in the produce industry and dedicated to positioning potatoes as a nutrition powerhouse.

1. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2013 Sep;113(9):1182-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jand.2013.03.015. Epub 2013 May 25. Available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23714199
2. Drewnowski A., Rehm C., Beals K., White Potatoes, Non-Fried, Do No Displace Other Vegetables in Meals Consumed by American Children and Adolescents (14-18 years). FASEB 11.

Contact: Rachael Lynch
Potatoes USA
303-369-7783
[email protected]

SOURCE Potatoes USA