LEAFY GREENS COUNCIL LEADERS PARTNER WITH SODEXO
TO REACH 3,700  K-12 SCHOOLS WITH SPINACH, CABBAGE CAMPAIGNS

Consumption of Romaine-Leaf Lettuce Triples, Spinach Doubles
Since 1990, Per Report to Members at Orlando Conference

A major expansion of the Leafy Greens Council’s education program in grade schools will begin in November through its new partnership with Sodexo, one of America’s leading contract providers of integrated foodservice and management programs serving 2,400 elementary and 1,300 secondary in the U.S. and Canada.

Meeting with Council leaders during the PMA Conference in Orlando, FL on Oct. 16, Ray Clark, executive director, described how the partnership will open new avenues to encourage students to couple their classroom learning experience with leafy greens that are served as part of the school lunch program.

“November has been designated as “Spinach Month” which will be promoted in school lunchrooms with colorful wall posters, memo pads, stickers and word games,” Clark explained.

“Eat Right to Stay Bright”, “Spinach Contains Nutrients that Builds Strong Bones”, and “Feed Your Brain to Perform Your Best” will be featured themes along with a cartoon “Spinachraptor” character.

The partnership expands the Council’s programs into middle and high schools, mainly through Sodexo’s “A to Z Salad Bar” operations. In addition, the program provides colorful flyers with spinach recipes and information to be sent home to parents, he related. Sodexo plans to feature cabbage during January.

Based on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s reports, per capita consumption of romaine and red and green leaf lettuce has tripled since 1990, according to Jeff Greene, Council vice president who presided at the meeting.

“Per capita consumption of romaine, red and green leaf lettuce has increased from 3.6 pounds per person in 1990 to 11.2 pounds in 2010”, per capita consumption of spinach has doubled, increasing from 0.8 pounds in 1990 to 1.9 pounds in 2010”, he said.

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