DNO Produce

🥳🎉BIG NEWS 🥳🎉 We're beyond excited to share that SnackTime Explorers, our Food Education Program co-created with Pilot Light, has been named a TOP 100 FINALIST for the Chicago Innovations Awards, hosted by Chicago Innovation! 🌟 The winner is the people's choice, so we need you to cast your vote by selecting "Pilot Light" on the 6th page of this form before 10/18/24: https://lnkd.in/gQeVYdtv This nomination highlights our commitment to making nutrient-dense foods both accessible and approachable. Hunger and diet-related diseases disproportionately affect underserved communities. With our toolkit, we provide fun, educational content that encourages kids to explore fresh fruits and vegetables, engage with their classmates and teachers, and increase their overall consumption of produce.

💚🍏 Finally! The Great Apple Crunch has arrived! 🍎❤️ The Great Apple Crunch is about more than just encouraging students to eat fresh produce! It's no coincidence that it falls in National Farm to School month; the event highlights the importance of locally sourced food and the benefits of supporting regional agriculture. Our DNO kiddos were thrilled to join in the celebration of local apple growers alongside thousands of other students across the Great Lakes states today. Our trip to Lynd Fruit Farm reminded us just how delicious local produce can taste... and how few experiences are as satisfying as that first bite into a crisp apple! Read more: https://lnkd.in/dpXsw8WJ #GreatAppleCrunch, #OHAppleCrunch, #OHFarmToSchool, #F2SMonth, #OHLittleCrunchers, #OneMillionPlusCrunches Ohio Department of Education and Workforce  National Farm to School Network

🌟 Exciting News! 🌟 DNO's President, Alex DiNovo, will be moderating the panel discussion at the IFPA's Global Produce & Floral Show! 🌍🥦 Join us for "Growing Healthy Habits: Transforming Children's Diets Through Early Education," where industry leaders will share innovative strategies to foster a love for fresh produce among our youth. Discover the importance of nutrition education in schools, the impact of early intervention, and how we can all contribute to a healthier future through volunteering, funding, and donating excess produce. Let's work together to build healthier generations and promote wellness through food as medicine! 🍏❤️ #GPFS2024 #HealthyHabits #FutureGenerations #NutritionEducation Pilot Light D'Arrigo New York Brighter Bites International Fresh Produce Association

Last week, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo highlighted the importance of advocating for fruit and vegetable consumption among registered dietitians. Alex Dinovo, President and COO of DNO Produce and Chair of The Foundation for Fresh Produce, along with Katie Calligaro, the Foundation's Director of Marketing and Communications, shared insights on this vital initiative. In an AndNowUKnow article, Alex emphasized: "We cannot effectively change the trajectory of human health without influencing real consumer behavior change, nor can we improve fruit and vegetable consumption without enlisting the support of this integral community." Read more about the Foundation's efforts to increase produce consumption: https://lnkd.in/dVDrXaNb

We had a fantastic time at the Colon Cancer Coalition's annual "Get Your Rear in Gear" 5K! DNO Produce didn't just show up; we showed out! One of our runners took home a medal for winning their age group, while another was honored with the top survivor plaque. What fun run! 🏃♀️ #columbus5k #5k

We had the opportunity to attend the Ohio School Nutrition Association Expo, where we showcased our commitment to enhancing school meal programs across the state. The event brought together nutrition professionals, food service directors, and vendors dedicated to improving the health and well-being of students. At our booth, we highlighted our fresh-cut produce offerings and our SnackTime Explorers program, which provides a Food Education curriculum component to schools with U.S. Department of Agriculture FFVP funding! We were also thrilled to share our booth with our Ohio partners, Premier ProduceOne, strengthening our joint efforts to support nutritious and delicious school meals. #OSNA #SnackTimeExplorers #FFVP #DODFresh School Nutrition Association

Rachael Brooks is our September Brocc Star! As our amazing Billing Specialist, we rely on her for so much—from managing billing processes to ensuring accurate records and issuing invoices. Rachael's hard work and dedication make her an invaluable part of our team! We're so grateful to have her on our team! Click the 🔗 in our bio to learn more about her!

Did you know? The USDA's CACFP feeds 4.2 million children and 138,000 adults nutritious meals and snacks EVERY DAY. This program, established in 1968, provides reimbursement for afterschool programs, child care centers, daycare homes, and many other facilities. This program plays a crucial role in the healthy growth and development for both young children and adults across the country! To find out if you are eligible for this program, visit: https://lnkd.in/dGvNZgW

DNO Produce President Alex DiNovo recently participated in a policy retreat in Washington, DC, organized by the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA). Alongside industry leaders, he engaged in critical discussions about policy priorities for the fresh produce sector and strategies to enhance produce consumption among our youngest generations. To support this mission, the IFPA has partnered with Kids Eat in Color to provide free co-branded educational posters for pediatricians. These posters aim to foster positive conversations about fresh produce between kids and their parents. The response has been remarkable—within just a few days, over 3,400 posters have been requested from 560 offices! #producepolicy #advocates #freshproduce #kidseatincolor #eattherainbow

According to the School Nutrition Association, 1 in 5 kids live in food insecure households, and rely on their school meals to receive adequate nutrition. This is why DNO Produce works closely with school nutrition associations and important programs such as United States Department of Defense Fresh, the National School Lunch Program, and the Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Program, to feed eligible K-12 students an exciting and varied selection of in-season fresh fruits and vegetables, outside of their regular mealtimes. #SchoolNutrition #SNA #SnackTimeExplorers #foodinsecurity #schoolmeals #FFVP