DES HAGUE ANNOUNCES YEAR-LONG COLLABORATION WITH READ AHEAD TO SUPPORT CHILDHOOD LITERACY

Potandon Produce, the exclusive marketer of Green Giant Fresh potatoes and onions, and RäFoods will support Read Ahead's reading-based mentoring programs and develop a broader consumer awareness and fundraising campaign through Sprout Cares

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho , Sept. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Des Hague, CEO of Potandon Produce and RäFoods, today announced a year-long partnership with Read Ahead as part of a broader Living Nutrition strategy focused on creating meaningful impact for families and communities. Read Ahead is a New York City nonprofit dedicated to helping elementary school students strengthen literacy skills and confidence through reading-based mentoring.

The partnership will be delivered through Sprout Cares, a community-impact initiative Potandon Produce developed through its exclusive marketing relationship with Green Giant Fresh potatoes and onions. RäFoods, a leader in living nutrition, will contribute financially and participate in the broader program.

Founded in 1991, Read Ahead pairs adult volunteers with New York City elementary school students for weekly reading and mentoring sessions. Its work focuses on helping students strengthen literacy skills, build reading confidence and develop meaningful mentoring relationships that support success in school and beyond.

The contributions from Potandon Produce and RäFoods will help Read Ahead provide programming that gives elementary school students the confidence and literacy skills they need to succeed in school and beyond.

"Read Ahead is thrilled to have the support of a legacy brand like Potandon Produce, along with the support of the Green Giant Fresh brand and the commitment of RäFoods," said Zoe Henriquez, Executive Director of Read Ahead. "Our work to build the reading and literacy confidence of elementary school students directly aligns with the Sprout Cares initiative, as together we look to grow our students' skills."

"Potandon Produce and RäFoods are each committing to the Read Ahead mission," said Hague. "Our hope is that we can help accelerate the good work they are already doing and make a meaningful difference in a child's life. Our companies spend every day thinking about growing and bringing fresh, nutritious food to families. This partnership gives us an opportunity to extend that idea of growth by helping children build their reading skills, confidence and relationships with mentors. Just as importantly, we want to go beyond financial support by using our reach to introduce more people to Read Ahead and the work they are doing."

GROW SOMETHING GOOD

The year-long commitment will also serve as the foundation for a broader consumer-facing initiative under the message "Sprout Cares presents Grow Something Good."

Potandon Produce and RäFoods expect to begin planning the activation in October. The program will include in-store signage and QR-enabled materials that introduce shoppers to Read Ahead, explain its work in childhood literacy and mentoring, and give consumers an opportunity to support the organization.

"Grow Something Good is about taking the partnership beyond a donation and giving consumers a way to become part of it," said John Rota, Chief Marketing Officer of Potandon Produce and RäFoods. "Read Ahead already does the important work. Our opportunity is to use these brands' reach to introduce more people to that work and make it easy for them to participate. That is exactly what we want Sprout Cares to do."

Rather than connecting individual retail locations with individual schools, Grow Something Good is being developed as a unified campaign supporting Read Ahead and its broader mission. The consumer activation could launch during the holiday shopping period as program details and retail participation are finalized.

Specific retail partners and launch timing will be announced as plans are finalized.

ABOUT POTANDON PRODUCE

Potandon Produce is a full-line supplier of fresh potatoes and onions and the exclusive marketer of Green Giant Fresh potatoes and onions. Headquartered in Idaho Falls, Idaho, Potandon markets fresh potatoes and onions across retail, wholesale and foodservice channels.

Through Sprout Cares, Potandon Produce supports initiatives designed to create meaningful community impact beyond the produce aisle.

ABOUT RÄFOODS

RäFoods is a food technology company redefining living nutrition. Wild About Sprouts is its flagship consumer brand, powered by the company's proprietary COLD-GROWN® technology. Through Living Nutrition™, RäFoods is creating a new platform for better-for-you foods designed around freshness, functionality and the idea that food should do more than simply nourish.

ABOUT READ AHEAD

Founded in 1991, Read Ahead is a New York City nonprofit that provides reading-based mentoring programs for elementary school students. Read Ahead connects students with adult volunteer mentors for weekly sessions centered on reading, conversation and relationship-building. Its programs help children strengthen literacy skills, reading confidence and the personal confidence they need to succeed in school and beyond.

For more information, visit ReadAhead.org.

Read Ahead does not endorse specific brands or products.

SOURCE Potandon Produce LLC, exclusive marketer of Green Giant Fresh® potatoes and onions