Bayer is working to increase the access and consumption of fresh produce to school children by donating salad bars to four schools in the Rosedale Union School District in Bakersfield. Bayer worked with the United Fresh Start Foundation through its partnership with the national Salad Bars to Schools initiative.
“The salad bar concept came from just looking at overall nutrition for our students and ensuring that our students are provided with an opportunity to select a lunch that meets all the nutritional requirements that are set forth and to make it fun at the same time,” said Superintendent for Rosedale Union School District Dr. John Mendiburu. “We bring in local produce around the area and provide those for our students”
The four schools in the Rosedale Union School District receiving new salad bars include Almondale Elementary School, American Elementary School, Independence Elementary School, and Rosedale North Elementary School. The announcement was recently made at Patriot Elementary School located in the district, which received a salad bar last year that has shown success with the students.
“Bayer is committed to supporting initiatives that provide children with access to fresh fruits and vegetables, and with kids eating a majority of their daily calories at school, the salad bar makes it easy for them to choose something that’s healthy and fresh,” food chain and sustainability manager at Bayer, Jennifer Maloney said in a press release. “This partnership is also meaningful because, with today’s salad bar announcement, we’re able to collaborate with one of our grower partners and support healthier choices for children in one of our nation’s most prolific agricultural communities.”
The Salad Bars to Schools program has helped facilitate the donation of salad bars to more than 5,500 schools, impacting 3 million children across the country. The Bayer salad bar investment supports the national initiative to help school districts meet USDA school lunch nutrition standards.
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