Edible Arrangments® Teams With Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America To Serve Our Nation's Military Veterans

WALLINGFORD, Conn., Nov. 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Edible Arrangements, the leading franchisor of stores offering fresh-cut fruit arrangements and other fruit products, has expanded its commitment to military veterans and their families with a new partnership with Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the first and largest organization for new veterans and their families. As unemployment continues to plague many of our veterans, the partnership aims to bring career opportunities to IAVA's membership through mentorship, franchise incentives and the funding of job training programs. To kick off the partnership, Edible Arrangements will conduct a promotion this Nov. 3 through Nov. 12 to raise money for IAVA and participate with the organization in "VetTogether" events at VA hospitals in cities across the country.

Of the partnership, Edible Arrangements' founder and CEO Tariq Farid said, "Edible Arrangements' partnership with the IAVA will allow us to be more effective in our work to recruit and employ veterans and bring attention to the fact that veterans have qualities that make them ideal small business owners and team members. We are lucky to have such an esteemed organization to assist us and I am honored for this opportunity."

From Nov. 3 to Nov. 12, Edible Arrangements will donate $1 to IAVA for every Edible Pop™ sold, with the goal of donating $50,000 through product sales. In addition, the company has committed a $15,000 corporate pledge. These funds will assist in employment support programs including the creation of a tool kit with creative approaches and best practices for Edible Arrangements® franchisees to locate and hire qualified veterans across the U.S.

Together, IAVA and Edible Arrangements will also host "VetTogether" events at VA hospitals and centers across the country on Nov. 6. At these events in California, Connecticut, New York, Minnesota and Texas, team members will distribute more than 1,000 Edible Pops to the VA's patients and staff members. IAVA VetTogethers are empowering local events that unite IAVA members and its supporters.

"IAVA is excited about partnering with Edible Arrangements in its campaign to bring career opportunities to the new greatest generation of veterans," said IAVA CEO and Founder Paul Rieckhoff. "Leaders like Edible Arrangements understand that veterans can translate their military skills into new job opportunities and lead with confidence in the civilian workforce. We are proud to work with them to add more veteran business owners and team members to their company family."  

Edible Arrangements has a history of supporting our nation's service members. The franchise-based business has contributed more than $125,000 to veteran programs, such as VetFran, which provides support and incentives for veterans seeking small-business ownership. In addition, the Edible Arrangements® franchisee network, independently owned and operated, collectively employs more than 600 former military professionals.

Edible Arrangements is also establishing a presence on military bases across the U.S. with its first on-base store opening this November in Fort Bragg, N.C., home of the U.S. Airborne and Special Operations and one of the largest military complexes in the world.

For more information about Edible Arrangements, its commitment to veterans or to locate a store visit, www.EdibleArrangements.com.

About Edible Arrangements

With more than 1,200 franchise locations open or under development worldwide, Edible Arrangements International, LLC is the world's largest franchisor of shops offering creatively designed fresh-cut fruit arrangements. Select Edible Arrangements locations also carry the company's rapidly expanding Edible To Go^® line which features all-natural, fresh fruit smoothies, Dipped Fruit™, fresh-squeezed lemonade and orange juice, and fresh fruit salads, sundaes and parfaits and treats. Since its founding in 1999 in East Haven, Conn., the company has been recognized as an industry leader, ranking first in its category in Entrepreneur magazine's annual "Franchise 500," Entrepreneur's Top 40 of "Fastest Growing Franchises" and "America's Top Global Franchises" as well as being included for eight consecutive years among the "Inc. 5000" list of the fastest-growing privately held companies. Edible Arrangements' fresh fruit arrangements and other gift items may be ordered by telephone at 1-877-DO-FRUIT, one of the company's retail stores, or online at EdibleArrangements.com.

About IAVA

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (www.IAVA.org) is the nation's first and largest nonpartisan, nonprofit organization representing veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan and has nearly 300,000 Member Veterans and civilian supporters nationwide. Celebrating its 10th year anniversary, IAVA recently received the highest rating - four-stars - from Charity Navigator, America's largest charity evaluator.

SOURCE Edible Arrangements

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