Credit: Twenty Educational Programs Awarded $500 Fruit Tree Grants for Curriculums that Demonstrate Ways to Innovatively Promote Nutrition Education Among Students
EMERYVILLE, Calif., Jun 21, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Jamba Juice ( JMBA ), a widely recognized healthy, active lifestyle brand, and the National Gardening Association (NGA) announced today the winners of the Spring 2011 Jamba Juice "It's All About the Fruit" Tree grant awards.
Over 500 applications were received from school and non-profit educational programs across the United States each demonstrating a passion for fruit trees and a commitment to teaching children about the importance of health, wellness, and physical activity. Twenty educational institutions were awarded the $500 fruit tree grants based on the creativity of their curriculum, the innovativeness of their approach to teaching, and the long-term sustainability of their plans to promote nutrition education and engagement of fruit tree activities among the students participating in their program.
"Now, more than ever before, it's time to change the way young people think about the food they eat. We are delighted to support Jamba Juice in an effort to expose more young people to the benefits of eating fruits and vegetables," said Mike Metallo, president and CEO, National Gardening Association. "This program exemplifies our mission to connect young people to the food they eat through gardening."
The Jamba Juice sponsored "It's All About the Fruit" Tree grant award program was designed to provide grants to local schools and community educational organizations to plant fruit trees as a fun, innovative way to promote nutrition education for young students. The program, administered by the National Gardening Association, addresses the need for children to learn about healthy lifestyle choices through fruit tree production and gardening experiences. Children gain valuable first-hand knowledge about the value and benefits of growing their own food through hands-on involvement with the selection, planting, harvesting and long-term care of fruit trees.
"Jamba Juice has been engaged with our local communities and schools to inspire healthy and active living for over 20 years," commented Susan Shields, senior vice president and CMO, Jamba Juice Company. "The program with the National Gardening Association is a critical step in the fight against childhood obesity by helping our youth gain valuable education about nutrition and the importance of fresh fruit and vegetables in maintaining a healthy diet. It also shows kids a fun and simple way to keep active by gardening. We are proud to be a sponsor of this program."
The winning school programs will receive fruit trees valued at $500 and an "It's All About the Fruit" Youth Garden Guide. The Youth Garden Guide includes information helpful in the development of gardening programs and the engagement of children in the gardening experience.
Spring 2011 Jamba Juice "It's All About the Fruit" Award Winners:
- Outside in School (Bolivar, Pennsylvania)
- The Farm Institute (Edgartown, Massachusetts)
- Imagine Avondale (Avondale, Arizona)
- Cahawba Christian Academy (Centreville, Alabama)
- Fitzgerald Academy (Detroit, Michigan)
- Wind Dance Farm & Earth Education Center (Berkeley Springs, West Virginia)
- Homes for the Homeless (New York City, New York)
- Cape Cod Collaborative (Osterville, Massachusetts)
- Heartland Community College (Normal, Illinois)
- Lyon School (Chicago, Illinois)
- Lincoln HI High School (Ivanhoe, Minnesota)
- McDonald Montessori (Norfolk, Virginia)
- Milwaukee Center for Independence/School for Early Development (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)
- All Saints' Academy (Winter Haven, Florida)
- New Sunrise RTC/Indian Health Service (San Fidel, New Mexico)
- Russell Elementary School (Smyrna, Georgia)
- Robert Renick Ed. Center (Opa-Locka, Florida)
- First 5 Del Norte (Crescent City, California)
- Cerritos College Child Development Center (Norwalk, California)
- Robert Muller Center for Living Ethics (RMCLE) (Fairview, TX)
The grants are part of a larger initiative by Jamba Juice to support healthy communities through innovative fundraising programs. This includes Jamba's "Sip to Support A GardenTM" program where school and garden organizations can sign up and earn year-round funding in support of their gardening initiatives. To learn more about the Jamba Juice-National Gardening Association relationship, and how to sign-up and participate in the programs being offered visit www.jambajuice.com/gardens, www.kidgardening.org or www.garden.org.
Jamba Juice and the National Gardening Association will be sponsoring a program in the Fall of 2011 "It's All About the Fruit and Veggies" a grant award program with winners to be announced in Spring 2012. More information about this new grant program from Jamba Juice will be released soon.
About Jamba Juice Company
Jamba, Inc. ( JMBA ) is a holding company and through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Jamba Juice Company, owns and franchises JAMBA JUICE( R ) stores. Founded in 1990, Jamba Juice is a leading restaurant retailer of better-for-you food and beverage offerings, including great tasting fruit smoothies, juices, and teas, hot oatmeal made with organic steel cut oats, wraps, salads, sandwiches, and California Flatbreads( TM ), and a variety of baked goods and snacks. As of April 19, 2011, Jamba Juice had 741 locations in the United States consisting of 434 franchise-operated stores, 307 Company-owned stores and two international stores. For the nearest location or a complete menu, visit the Jamba Juice website at www.jambajuice.com or call 1-866-4R-FRUIT (473-7848).
About the National Gardening Association
Founded in 1973, National Gardening Association (NGA) is a national nonprofit leader in plant-based education, respected for its award-winning, information-rich Web sites and newsletters; grants, curricula, and resources for youth gardens; and research for the lawn and garden industry. NGA's mission is to promote home, school, and community gardening as a means to renew and sustain the essential connection between people, plants, and the environment. To learn more about gardening with children, please visit www.kidsgardening.org.
SOURCE: Jamba Juice
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
