Produce for Kids®: Get Healthy, Give Hope Campaign

Produce for Kids^® is launching its annual Get Healthy, Give Hope campaign with 16 major supermarket chains across the country.  I'm especially pleased to see that my local Meijer store, where my family does a majority of it's grocery shopping is participating, to help raise money for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.    See the list at the bottom of the post for other participating supermarkets and one near you!

Launched this past Sunday, shoppers can support local children’s cancer research programs and get healthy at the same time.  Thanks to the annual Get Healthy, Give Hope campaign hosted by Meijer and Produce for Kids, the more produce shoppers add to their shopping lists the more hope they can give to local children.  I love that the money goes stays in the area!

Celebrating a milestone 10^th birthday in 2012, Produce for Kids is excited to kick off this year’s campaign with a new partnership with Sprout^® and LazyTown^TM. During the campaign, which will run now through June 23rd, Meijer will offer shoppers collectible Produce for Kids’ Ideal Meals^TM – quick and easy healthy meal ideas, which are free and can be found in displays featuring LazyTown characters from the popular, health-focused, children’s series airing exclusively in the U.S. on 24-hour preschool television channel, Sprout.

LazyTown^TM has long been a staple show in my household.  My daughter really enjoys dancing along with Stephanie and Sportacus.  I enjoy the positive message, upbeat songs, emphasis on healthy choices.  In my opinion the show and Sprout^® are ideal partners for Produce for Kids. 

In my community, there is a big concern about healthy eating and a controversial new healthy snack policy at school.  Eating better is something we're very interested in learning about, along with teaching making good meal choices to our children.  I really like how Ideal Meals offer shoppers chef-created/nutritionist-approved easy solutions for breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert. Featuring fresh fruits and vegetables as the main ingredients, Ideal Meals are great for busy families who crave fast meal options that don’t require stopping at the local drive-thru.

If you happen to live near a Meijer, mark your calendar, in store food demos will be taking place in all Meijer stores on Saturday, June 9^th . Ideal Meals will be made so feel free to stop by your local Meijer store to check out the fun with your family!

Below are some delicious and healthful summer-inspired Ideal Meals perfect for any upcoming picnics or BBQs you may be attending and nutritious summer lunch recipe ideas for you and your kids:

Turkey Burgers & Rainbow Salad

Serves 4

Preparation Time: 30 Minutes

Ingredients:

·   1 lb. ground turkey

·   1 cup panko breadcrumbs

·   1 egg

·   1 Tbsp. fresh basil, (or ⅓ Tbsp. dried) chopped fine

·   1 cup mushrooms, washed/dried, sliced

·   ½ medium sweet onion, sliced

·   2 Tbsp. butter

·   4 slices, deli style mozzarella cheese (¾ oz. each)

·   1 large tomato, sliced

·   4 whole grain burger buns

Directions:

1. In large bowl, mix breadcrumbs, egg, basil, and salt. Once mixed, add ground turkey and mix well. Make patties about the size of the bun.
2. In frying pan, on medium/high heat add butter, mushrooms and onions and cook about 10 minutes until tender and brown. Turn heat to low and keep warm.
3. Pan-fry or grill, on medium heat, burgers until firm (about 4-5 minutes a side).
4. Assemble bun with burger, cheese, tomato and onion/mushroom mixture.

Serves 4

Preparation Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

·   1 apple, cored, sliced

·   4 rainbow peppers, seeded, sliced

·   ½ mango, skinned, diced

·   ½ fresh lemon, juiced

·   2 Tbsp. olive oil

Directions:

1. Thoroughly toss apples, peppers, mango, lemon juice and olive oil in a bowl.
2. Season with salt and pepper, as desired.

Nutrition Information:

Turkey Burgers & Rainbow Salad Calories 689; Fat ; Protein ; Carbohydrate ; Fiber 14g; Cholesterol 154mg; Sodium 606mg; Calcium 34%DV; Vitamin A 41%DV; Vitamin C 160%DV; Iron 25%DV

Pineapple Pork Kebobs

Serves 4

Preparation Time: 25 Minutes

Ingredients:

Rosemary Garlic Marinade

·   ½ cup olive oil

·   2 Tbsp. fresh rosemary, minced 

·   4 cloves garlic, minced 

Pineapple Pork Kebobs

·   1 lb. pork tenderloin, cut 1-inch chunks

·   1 cup pineapple, cut 1-inch chunks

·   1 cup sweet onion, cut 1-inch chunks

·   1 cup rainbow peppers, cut 1-inch chunks

·   10-inch skewers, soaked

Rosemary Veggies

·   2 cups broccoli, chunked

·   1 cup cherry tomatoes, cut in half

·   4 Tbsp. Parmesan cheese

Directions:

Rosemary Garlic Marinade

1. Mix olive oil, rosemary and garlic in small mixing bowl. Divide in half.

Pineapple Pork Kebobs

1. Thread pork, pineapple, onions and peppers onto skewers. 
2. Brush skewers with half of Rosemary Garlic Marinade, season with salt. Let stand 5 minutes.
3. Place skewers under preheated broiler 5 inches from heat; broil 10-15 minutes or until meat is firm and lightly browned.

Rosemary Veggies

1. Heat remaining marinade in large skillet on medium-high heat.  Add broccoli and cherry tomatoes, cook for 5 minutes, or until broccoli is bright green and tender. 
2. Remove from heat and add cheese.

Nutrition Information:

Pineapple Pork Kebobs: Calories 580, Fat 33.7g, Protein 33.3g, Carbohydrate 34.8g, Fiber 5.5g, Cholesterol 83mg, Sodium 335mg, Calcium 257mg, Vitamin A 1171 IU, Vitamin C 103.2mg, Iron 3.3mg

Tasty Hummus Sandwich

Serves 4

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

·   8 slices whole wheat bread

·   4 Tbsp. hummus

·   4 Tbsp. guacamole

·   4 romaine lettuce leaves

·   4 Tbsp. goat cheese

·   2 mini cucumbers, sliced

·   1 medium tomato, sliced

Directions:

1. Toast bread. Spread 1 Tbsp. hummus and guacamole on 1 slice of bread, add 1 romaine lettuce leaf, spread 1 Tbsp. goat cheese, then add cucumber and tomato slices.
2. Top with second slice of bread. 

Nutrition Information:

Tasty Hummus Sandwich Calories 381, Fat 9.7g, Protein 15.1g, Carbohydrate 59.3g, Fiber 9.8g, Cholesterol 6mg, Sodium 452mg, Calcium 122mg, Vitamin A 3187 IU, Vitamin C 15.6mg, Iron 4.3mg

To find other great recipes revolving around fresh produce visit: www.produceforkids.com.  Here are other supermarket's participating:

Homeland: May 30^th – June 27^th

Publix: May 31^st – June 28^th

Kroger Southwest: June 13^th – July 24^th

Fred Meyer: June 14^th – July 26^th

Price Chopper: June 17^th – July 28^th

King Soopers: June 20^th – July 31^st

Kroger Central: June 21^st – July 18^th

Disclaimer: This post is on behalf of Produce for Kids, press materials were utilized within, and I will receive a gift for sharing.  However, I would not do so if it were not a cause I am genuinely interested in.