Windset Farms will deliver more than 890,000 servings (about 400,000 pounds) of fresh grape tomatoes, mini cucumbers and mini peppers to B.C. students this school year, the Delta-based greenhouse grower announced last week.
The produce will go out as part of the B.C. School Fruit and Vegetable Nutritional Program and will be delivered in 13 shipments over the school year to about 442,000 students in 1,376 schools across B.C. That's two servings of ready-to-eat fresh produce for B.C. students about every other week of the school year.
"We're excited to be a part of this initiative," says John Newell, COO of Windset Farms.
"In the right setting, kids can realize just how delicious fresh produce can be, and it can help them develop the habits they need to live a healthy life," says the father of three. "Eating fruits and vegetables isn't just for people on a diet. It's for everyone."
For the first delivery, which went out last week, Windset delivered 4,500 pounds (371 cases, 8,902 servings) of mini peppers.
The mini varieties of Windset's peppers, cucumbers and tomatoes are particularly suited to the program. Fresh, crisp and bite-sized, they require little preparation (just a quick wash) for an easy, healthy recess snack.
Since Windset began participating in the program in 2006, the best reward has been the thank-you letters, says Newell.
"We've had parents tell us that their child now loves tomatoes," he explains. "It's rewarding."
