Produce for Kids educates families about the benefits of healthy eating. They have teamed up with great brands and grocery stores such as Meijer, Publix and ACME Markets and each year they run two campaigns. Get Healthy, Give Hope that benefits Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and other children’s hospitals. Their Healthy Families, Helping Kids campaign benefits local classroom projects through DonorsChoice.org. Produce for Kids teamed up with Meijer stores for the second annual Healthy Families, Helping Kids campaign.
Below is a little about the campaign:
“Produce for Kids is teaming up with Meijer stores for the second annual Healthy Families, Helping Kids campaign to raise money for local health and nutrition-based classroom projects through DonorsChoose.org.
Last year, the campaign raised more than $169,000 and supported 652 classroom projects throughout the country.
Beginning Sept. 2 to Sept. 28, the joint campaign will help raise money for classroom projects that encourage healthy relationships with food. The more produce Meijer shoppers add to their shopping lists, the more hope they can give to local children. All participating fresh fruit and vegetable suppliers at Meijer stores will make a consumption-based donation DonorsChoose.org.
Shoppers should be on the lookout for Produce for Kids signage, featuring characters from the popular Sprout® television show, The Chica Show, in the produce section of local Meijer stores. There, they will be directed to visit www.produceforkids.com for even more Ideal Meals recipes, tips and solutions to help shoppers keep their families healthy for back-to-school and year-round.”
The Meijer campaign ended on September 28th BUT the campaign still continues throughout the fall at Publix stores and ACME Markets. Shoppers can buy the brands that are partnered with Produce for Kids at these stores during their campaign dates to help kids’ classrooms projects locally. See below for campaign dates for each store.
Publix stores
Healthy Families, Helping Kids campaign September 26, 2013- October 30, 2013
ACME markets
Healthy Families, Helping Kids campaign October 3, 2013 and runs through 2014
Visit Produce for Kids website for more information about partnering brands and more information about the campaign. Their website has a lot of healthy eating information and recipes. There is also an area for kids to play games and great meal planning tips!
Below are some great recipes you might be interested in:
BREAKFAST
Blueberry Banana Pancakes
Serves: 4
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup whole wheat flour
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- 2 Tbsp. sugar
- ½ tsp. cinnamon
- ½ tsp. salt
- 1 cup fat free milk
- 3 Tbsp. canola oil
- 1 egg
- 1 banana, sliced
- ½ cup blueberries
- 2 tsp. caramel dip
- 1 Tbsp. pecans, finely chopped
Directions:
Sift flours, baking powder, sugar, cinnamon and salt in large bowl. Add milk, oil and egg, and mix until moistened. Heat griddle or skillet over medium heat; spray with cooking spray. Spoon ¼ cup pancake mixture onto skillet. Add sliced bananas and blueberries, and cook 2-3 minutes, or until pancakes begin to bubble. Flip and cook 1-2 minutes, or until done. Top with pecans and drizzle with caramel dip.
Suggested Sides for a Complete Meal:
- A glass of 100% pomegranate juice
LUNCHTIME
Hearty Turkey & Kale Chili
Serves 8
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. lean ground turkey
- One medium onion, diced
- One green bell pepper, seeded, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1½ Tbsp. chili powder
- 1½ Tbsp. cumin
- 2 tsp. dried oregano
- 2 Tbsp. tomato paste
- (14.5 oz.) diced tomatoes, drained 2 cans
- (15 oz.) low-sodium black beans, drained, rinsed 1 can
- (15 oz.) no salt added corn, drained 1 can
- ¾ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 4 cups kale, tough stems removed, chopped
- 1 cup 2% plain Greek yogurt
- 1 cup unsalted tortilla chips, crushed
Directions:
Add turkey, onion, pepper, garlic, chili powder, cumin, oregano, tomato paste, tomatoes, black beans, corn, broth and kale to slow cooker, and cook on low 8 hours. Top with Greek yogurt and tortilla chips.
Suggested sides:
- ½ cup mandarin oranges 1 Buddy Fruits pouch
DINNER
Sausage & Veggie Gnocchi
Serves: 4
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients:
Sausage Gnocchi:
- 1 pkg. (16 oz.) gnocchi, cooked according to package directions
- 1 jar (26 oz.) low-sodium pasta sauce
- 12 oz. pork kielbasa, sliced into ½” rounds
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil
- 2 bell peppers, seeded, chopped
- 1 sweet onion, chopped
- One bunch (6 cups) kale, tough stems removed, chopped
- 1 medium tomato, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Nutty Green Beans:
- ¼ cup pecans, chopped
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1 lb. green beans, ends trimmed
Directions:
Sausage Gnocchi:
Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium heat; add kielbasa and cook 3-4 minutes, or until heated through and lightly browned. Remove from heat and drain on paper towels. Return skillet to heat; add peppers and onion, and cook 5 minutes, or until tender. Add kale, tomato and garlic, and cook 5 minutes, or until tender and tomato juices have reduced. Turn heat to medium-low; add pasta sauce and heat. Mix gnocchi with pasta sauce and top with kielbasa.
Nutty Green Beans:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Place pecans single layer on baking sheet and bake 5 minutes. Stir, return to oven and bake 3 minutes, or until pecans are slightly browned and aromatic. Remove from oven and let cool. Turn up oven to 400°F. Toss green beans with olive oil. Spread on baking sheet and bake 15 minutes, or until lightly browned and tender, stirring halfway through. Toss with toasted pecans.
Suggested Sides for a Complete Meal:
- ½ cup mandarin oranges A glass of lowfat milk
Enjoy! And if you shop Publix or ACME, be sure to learn more about the Healthy Families, Helping Kids campaign!
Disclaimer: This is not a paid or sponsored post. However, I will be receiving a goodie bag for sharing and posting about this campaign. Any thoughts or opinions expressed in my post are 100% my own.
