Stuppy, Inc. offers aquaponics system to school of choice for Tour de Fresh top fundraiser for salad bars in 2016
WATSONVILLE, Calif. (June 29, 2016) – To encourage even more support for riders in this year’s Tour de Fresh, Kansas City-based Stuppy, Inc. announced that it will award the rider who raises the most money the chance to gift one of its Aqueduct aquaponics systems to the school of their choice.
Stuppy, Inc. is a greenhouse design, manufacturing and construction company that offers schools one-semester worth of curriculum and the necessary equipment to house their own self-sustaining horticultural program. Valued at $5,000, this donation will further both Stuppy, Inc. and Tour de Fresh’s mission to provide access to fresh produce in schools across the country, while also teaching students about the process and profession of horticulture and its importance in the world.
“As an extension of our own fundamental belief that schools across the nation should not only be educated in nutrition, but be able to grow and eat their own fresh produce, it feels like the perfect opportunity for us to support Tour de Fresh by offering this incentive to riders,” said Ryan Willcott, vegetable project specialist for Stuppy, Inc. “We’re excited to see how this propels fundraising efforts, knowing that one of this year’s Tour de Fresh riders will affect multiple schools by providing at least one salad bar and an aquaponics system.”
Stuppy Inc. provides schools with a complete aqueduct aquaponics system including seeds, fish, fish food and equipment to create a 14-week experience where students are able to see the entire ecosystem in action. To determine which seeds would flourish best in the school’s environment, Stuppy offers consultation services to aid in seed selection so that educators are able to most effectively teach about horticulture.
“We are excited for the donation of an aqueduct aquaponics system because it shows how the industry is committed to making a difference in the lives of the next generation,” said Cindy Jewell, vice president of marketing for The California Giant Foundation. “It is so important to educate students about food that is grown in order to build an appreciation for agriculture – this appreciation will last a lifetime when it comes time for students to choose the food that they put in their bodies.”
In addition to the donation from Stuppy, Willcott will be showing his support by riding in Tour de Fresh on behalf of Uplift Infinity Preparatory School in Texas. Tour de Fresh, in partnership with Let’s Move Salad Bars to Schools, its sponsors, and companies like Stuppy, continues to elevate the need for curriculum and access to fresh fruits and vegetables for the next generation.
Tour de Fresh riders have currently raised $68,984 of their $175,000+ goal with only four weeks left to raise money prior to the ride July 26-28. Now is the perfect opportunity to support riders and their personal goals to reach $3,100 for their individually-selected school districts. To support riders of this year’s event, please visit http://tourdefresh.com/riders.
About Tour de Fresh
Tour de Fresh, presented by The California Giant Foundation, is the first-of-its-kind, collaborative event that unites the most significant brands and influencers in the fresh produce industry for a three-day cycling event that raises funds to benefit the Let’s Move Salad Bars to Schools campaign. In its first two years (2014-2015), Tour de Fresh received over $300,000 in donations to support the placement of more than 100 salad bars in schools across the country. At a cost of $3,125 per salad bar per school, sponsors and participants alike strongly believe that providing healthy eating opportunities for school children should be a requirement.
About Stuppy, Inc.
From a rose garden in the 1800’s to designing, manufacturing, and constructing commercial, research, and educational greenhouse facilities, Stuppy, Inc, based in Kansas City, has cultivated a business to meet the needs of local, national and international customers. Stuppy Inc. has been intertwined with the history of the horticulture industry and continues to grow and lead today. Stuppy Inc. is now under its fifth generation of operation and is committed to serving its customers with superior service. For more information, please visit www.stuppy.com.