But it also assists grocers by helping them sell more fruit to new audiences. We want to sell fruit but with the Network everyone can win. Parents and children define and select the choices which are delivered straight to the school from the farmers on their way to market. With the children participating, the popularity of salad bar lunches has soared and small farmers have benefited as well. With the Network we've been able to make new partnerships with people who are able to take these programs to a higher level and to other districts.
Organizations dedicated to assisting lower-income families are particularly enthusiastic.
Emily Katz, Vice President for Development and Public Relations of California Emergency FoodLink, describes a win-win situation for everyone. Statistics show these people are dramatically below the recommended daily intake of fruit and vegetables to meet health needs. But Food Link is a charitable rather than an educational group and does not have the resources to conduct education as it hands out bags of food. This is where the Network steps in. They incorporate health officials trying to educate for prevention of cancer and diabetes.