Real Food Movement "Grows" in Eugene, Ore. as Another Local School Wins Farm to School Program in National Contest

BERKELEY, Calif., June 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Annie's, Inc. today announced The Village School in Eugene, Ore. as the winner in its second Root 4 Kids contest encouraging kids to dig and plant new veggies. The Village School generated more sign-ups than over 750 other schools throughout the nation competing to win their choice of a Farm to School program or school garden.

Root 4 Kids, a cause-related campaign conducted in partnership with the National Farm to School Network, has set out to reach and celebrate one million kids digging and planting new veggies. To encourage participation and create friendly competition this spring, Root 4 Kids invited parents, teachers, administrators and community members to sign up at http://www.root4kids.com/join and commit to helping kids "dig" new vegetables by completing at least one activity, such as learning about, eating and planting new veggies, or working to get more fresh foods into schools.

After Camas Ridge Elementary School in Eugene, Ore. took top prize in Root 4 Kids' first contest earlier this year, the community rallied again, helping carry The Village School to victory. With its prize, The Village School will work with Farm to School to customize a combination of activities that best help its students become more deeply connected to real food.

"Winning the Root 4 Kids prize adds a vital third layer to our work already in progress to be more green, sustainable and to serve healthy food," said Bob Kaminski, Principal of The Village School, a public charter school. Kaminski is working closely with Executive Director Andy Peara and a group of dedicated staff and parents to start the school's own locally-grown, organic food service for its 212 K-8 students.

"We thank everyone who supported our efforts and Annie's leadership to promote kids' interest in healthy, natural and organic foods," said Peara. "Annie's message truly resonates in our community."

To help generate sign-ups, staff and parents spread the word far and wide via emails and phone calls. Following the lead of parent Abra Cooper, they also held a screening of the film "What's on your plate?" to educate both kids and parents on the importance of connecting families to where food comes from.

"After two successful contests, thousands of teachers, parents and community members have demonstrated a commitment to teaching kids about growing and eating more real food," said Aimee Sands, Marketing Director at Annie's. "The Village School and all the participating schools deserve recognition and support for their efforts. We wish we could award the prize to all of them."

Annie's will award Root 4 Kids merchandise, Annie's product and grants toward a garden or Farm to School program to all schools that finished in the contest top 10, including Hayhurst Elementary School, Portland, Ore.; Lakeshore Elementary School, Mooresville, N.C.; Anthony Elementary School, Anthony, Fla.; Greenwood Elementary School, Seattle; Somers Elementary School, Kenosha, Wis.; NICE Community School, Ishpeming, Mich.; Memminger Elementary School, Charleston, S.C.; Seven Generations Charter School, Emmaus, Penn.; and Hampton Elementary School, Hampton, Conn.

For more details about The Village School, visit http://happyvillage.org/. To learn more about Root 4 Kids, and to commit to helping kids dig and plant new veggies, visit www.Root4Kids.com.

About Annie's

Annie's is dedicated to nourishing families with delicious natural and organic foods made with the highest quality ingredients. The line includes cheese, pasta meals, crackers, cookies, pretzels, cereals, fruit snacks, salad dressings, BBQ sauce and condiments. Since its founding in 1989, Annie's has been committed to social and corporate responsibility. The company believes in the importance of sustainable farming practices that respect the earth and its inhabitants. Annie's products are available nationwide at major grocery stores, natural food stores and club stores. For more information, visit www.Annies.com. Follow Annie's on Facebook (www.Facebook.com/annieshomegrown) and Twitter (@annieshomegrown).

SOURCE Annie's