Thousands of Miami families received fresh food alongside school essentials at Style Saves’ annual Back-to-School Event, as Chiquita, Fresh Express and Planet Harvest helped distribute 5,000 fresh food boxes ahead of the new school year. The two-day event, held August 8-9 at the Miami Beach Convention Center, also provided more than 14,000 Chiquita bananas and 7,500 apple snack packs, with the food boxes representing more than 65,000 meals.
Fresh food becomes part of school readiness
The food distribution formed part of Chiquita’s Fresh Communities Tour, which brings fresh produce and other resources to communities across the United States.
Planet Harvest CEO Melissa Ackerman told Charity Journal that supporting children for the school year extends beyond providing classroom supplies.
“School readiness isn’t just about what’s in a backpack; it’s also about supporting the well-being of the entire family,” Ackerman said.
The event also gave families access to uniforms, backpacks, school supplies, and other necessities through Style Saves. The Miami nonprofit says its programs have supported more than 150,000 students and their families across South Florida.
The collaboration brought together food distribution and Style Saves’ existing back-to-school support. According to the organizations, more than 25,000 local children and their families received support during the two-day activation.
Chiquita also used the event to create activities for children and parents, including appearances by Miss Chiquita and Banana Man, face painting and an interactive photo experience. Peter Stedman, sustainability director at Chiquita, revealed that the company wanted the event to offer families an experience beyond receiving essential supplies.
The activation included Chiquita-themed mini backpacks, frisbees, hats and other giveaways alongside the fresh food distribution.
Chiquita expands Fresh Communities Tour
The Miami event marked the fourth stop on Chiquita’s Fresh Communities Tour. Previous stops have brought the initiative to communities in South Florida, California and Chicago through partnerships with local organizations.
For Chiquita, the tour forms part of its broader community work under its “Behind the Blue Sticker” program and its stated commitment to supporting communities connected to its operations.
Planet Harvest focuses on moving fresh produce from farms to families while working with growers and community organizations to reduce food waste and increase access to nutritious food.
Style Saves, meanwhile, operates year-round programs focused on education, mentorship, and access to essential resources. Its annual Back-to-School Event provides clothing, school supplies, and food assistance to families at no cost.