- 16-year-old to promote healthy nutrition in partnership with Produce for

Kids, Shuman Produce and Mastronardi Produce; departs from Marina del Rey,

Calif. on Saturday, June 14 -

    MARINA DEL REY, Calif., June 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Zac Sunderland, who at
 16 years of age is seeking to become the youngest person to circumnavigate
 the globe solo, has announced that he will take with him on his
 around-the-world voyage a message of healthy eating.
 
     The intrepid Sunderland has enlisted the support of Produce for Kids(R)
 (PFK), an organization that promotes the benefits of healthy eating and
 raises funds for Children's Miracle Network(R) (CMN) hospitals nationwide
 and PBS(R). Through PFK, additional produce sponsors have come on board to
 support the program including Shuman Produce (RealSweet brand), a produce
 marketing company specializing in the marketing and distribution of quality
 sweet onions from Vidalia, Peru, Ecuador, Guatemala, and Mexico; and
 Mastronardi Produce Ltd. (Sunset Produce brand including Campari Cocktail
 Tomatoes), the leading greenhouse marketing company in North America
 specializing in hot house tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers.
 
     Sunderland sets sail at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 14 from the Marina
 del Rey Boat Show.
 
     "The support of Produce for Kids, Shuman Produce and Mastronardi
 Produce is an invaluable part of this great adventure, and I'm thrilled to
 be taking with me a message that I hope can inspire people along the route
 to maybe eat a little better and stay healthy," said Sunderland.
 
     On his 11-month voyage, Sunderland will benefit from the dietary
 counsel of Produce for Kids advisory board chairman, author and
 nutritionist Dave Grotto, one of the nation's leading advocates of a
 balanced diet. Grotto's book "101 Foods That Could Save Your Life!" was
 published earlier this year.
 
     In recognition of the epic voyage, Produce for Kids will also make a
 financial donation in support of the Junior Sailing Program run by Westlake
 Yacht Club in Westlake Village, Calif. - Sunderland's home port and a key
 backer of his record-breaking quest. The program encourages juniors to
 experience the joy of sailing, and helps to develop their recreational and
 competitive sailing skills.
 
     "We can help keep Zac fit and well during his long adventure by making
 sure that he eats a balanced diet," said Grotto. "We're also excited that
 Produce for Kids' message of getting children to eat more fruits and
 vegetables receives worldwide exposure because it relates to an important
 global health issue." The Produce for Kids, RealSweet and Sunset Produce
 logos will be visible on the spinnaker sail of Sunderland's 36-foot
 Islander sailboat, Intrepid.
 
     Sunderland's 40,000-mile route will first take him west across the
 Pacific to Papua New Guinea and Australia, and then across the Indian Ocean
 to Mauritius and Madagascar. After rounding the Cape of Good Hope he will
 traverse the treacherous South Atlantic Ocean before navigating the Panama
 Canal and heading north back to California.
 
     About Produce for Kids
 
     Produce for Kids(R) promotes healthy lifestyles for children by
 educating kids and parents about the benefits of eating fresh fruits and
 vegetables while also supporting worthy children's causes. Since its
 creation in 2002 by Shuman Produce Inc., Produce for Kids has raised more
 than $1.2 million for local Children's Miracle Network hospitals. Produce
 for Kids also partners with PBS KIDS(R) to educate parents on healthy
 eating and raise funds for PBS. For additional information on Produce for
 Kids, visit www.produceforkids.org .
 
     About Shuman Produce
 
     Shuman Produce, Inc is a produce marketing company specializing in the
 marketing and distribution of year-round quality sweet onions from Vidalia,
 Texas, Peru, Ecuador, Guatemala, and Mexico. For more information on Shuman
 Produce, visit www.realsweet.com .
 
     About Sunset Produce
 
     Mastronardi Produce/Sunset is the leading greenhouse
 grower/shipper/marketer in North America. With all products packed under
 the Sunset brand of produce, Mastronardi provides one stop shopping 12
 months a year. Sunset signature products include the following varieties:
 Campari(R) Cocktail Tomatoes, Splendido(TM), Gourmet Medley, Champagne, and
 Ancient Sweet Peppers to name a few. For additional information on
 Mastronardi Produce/Sunset, visit www.sunsetproduce.com .
 
 
 

SOURCE Produce for Kids