Fresh Producers Launches Student Health Advocacy Program
Sacramento, CA, May 22, 2008…Fresh Producers, a non-profit student-led organization that empowers youth to serve as sales reps for fresh produce, returns ten percent of all sales revenue to the community to benefit the youth through rewards, commissions, programs and job opportunities. In addition, ten percent of the revenue goes into a ScholarShare account that grows scholarship equity for each student participant. Fresh Producers inspires young people to promote health in their families and communities, gives them marketable skills, and literally pays students to stay in school. Through involvement in Fresh Producers, our youth increase Health, wealth and skills for Life.
Fresh Producers founder Sacramento Rabbi David Wechsler-Azen, said, “If you could wave a magic wand and inspire young people to eat better, make sure every neighborhood in California had access to fresh fruits and vegetables, and generate scholarship funds for every student in the state without costing the government a dime, would you wave that wand? Of course you would. Fresh Producers can make this kind of magic happen.”
Fresh Producers is supported by a major grant from The California Endowment, funding from Kaiser Permanente and other individual and organizational contributors, and administrative support from the Community Services Planning Council.
Fresh Producers launched the first community distribution site with a celebration event in Sacramento, California on Thursday, May 22nd. Orders for a grocery bag full of high quality produce, costing just $15 including the community and scholarship benefits, were delivered. Joining forces with Fresh Producers to inspire community members to improve their health is Network for a Healthy California, presenting the annual Fruit and Veggie Fest, in conjunction with Health Education Council and Champions for Change. California Secretary of Food and Agriculture, A.G. Kawamura attended the launch event on behalf of California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
The entire junior class at Sacramento’s Arthur A. Benjamin Health Professions High School trained as community health advocates and early implementers of Fresh Producers.
For further information about Fresh Producers, please contact Suzanne Whittaker at (916) 247-1157, or email at suzwhittaker@
