Saffron Road Funds Grant for Five School Gardens Across the Boroughs of NY

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Brand Finalizes Charitable Works in the Spirit of Ramadan

STAMFORD, Conn. (November 1st, 2015) – Saffron Road®, a leading natural frozen entrée brand, is thrilled to announce the grant of five school gardens across Brooklyn, Manhattan and the Bronx, marking its second successful school grant program.

As a part of charitable works to give back during Ramadan, Saffron Road partnered with Whole Kids Foundation® to help bring school gardens to underprivileged schools. For every Saffron Road product purchased during Ramadan at Whole Foods Market®, Saffron Road donated 5% of sales (up to $10,000) to Whole Kids Foundation with the goal to fund school gardens in underserved communities of the U.S., especially schools with large percentages receiving either free or reduced lunch. Since partnering with Whole Kids Foundation in 2014, American Halal has donated over $20,000 in such school grants to the program.

A school garden is an essential educational tool – learning the process of growing food helps children develop a deep understanding of the connection between healthy eating and a healthy body. While there is growing awareness of the health and educational benefits that school gardens provide to kids, many school districts are unable to afford the basic equipment and tools needed to implement this more hands on approach to health and science education. According to the USDA, only 2% of children eat enough fresh fruits and vegetables, and the typical elementary student receives just 3.4 hours of nutrition education each year. School gardens can make a real difference. Research shows that children who grow their own food are more likely to eat fruits and vegetables, to be more knowledgeable about nutrition and are also more likely to continue healthy eating habits throughout their lives.

Whole Kids Foundation is a charitable organization, established by Whole Foods Market, which provides children with access to healthy food choices through partnerships with schools, educators and non-profit organizations. The Foundation was created as a result of mounting concern for the growing rates of childhood obesity in America.

Founder and CEO of Saffron Road, Adnan Durrani commented by saying, “We are delighted to bring these school gardens to the underprivileged students living right here in our own backyard – the boroughs of New York City. A large part of our socially responsible mission during Ramadan is to give back to those in need and nothing could bring us more pleasure than partnering with Whole Kids Foundation, to support healthy food choices for those New York City School children most in need of balanced nutrition, whereby we will impact the lives of about 2,000 students. Research tells us that when children are educated about healthier food choices, they not only opt in for them, but that this can have a material lasting impact on their lives long term – not just in terms of physical wellness, but also most importantly in terms of overall academic performance. We couldn’t be more passionate about our gesture here and we are very grateful to Whole Kids Foundation for championing this vital cause with us.”

Three of the schools selected have existing gardens so the grant will help fund the fall harvest in addition to much needed expansions, while the latter two grants will contribute to the establishment of new gardens. Students will spend up to 5 days a week tending to the fruits and veggies planted while also learning the benefits of healthy living and eating. Moreover, much of the fruits and vegetables grown are either sent home to the student’s families or are sold at much discounted prices within their communities – specifically, these inner city communities - many of which exist in food desserts where there is no access to any other healthy or affordable whole foods.

“Support from dedicated partners like Saffron Road is essential to growing our work,” said Nona Evans, Executive Director Whole Kids Foundation. “Their generosity insures the opportunity for kids to know where food comes from, understand that what they eat impacts how they feel, piques curiosity and ultimately increases children’s consumption of fresh veggies and fruit!”

For more information about Saffron Road, please visit saffronroadfood.com. You can also follow the brand on Facebook at facebook.com/saffronroadfood, on Twitter at twitter.com/saffronroadfood, on Pinterest at pinterest.com/saffronroadfood or on Instagram instagram.com/saffronroadfood.com.

 

About Saffron Road American Halal Co. markets Natural, Antibiotic Free, or Organic Halal Certified food products under its wholly owned Saffron Road brand which are available in 10,000 stores nationwide. Saffron Road's mission is to offer Natural Halal Certified and Gluten Free foods, which are also holistic, sustainably farmed, and antibiotic free. Saffron Road's products are sourced from livestock which is fed only 100% vegetarian feed and are humanely treated. All of Saffron Road's Products are Halal Certified by the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA) and are the only premium, Halal Certified and Natural brand available in grocery markets nationwide in the US.

About Whole Kids Foundation Whole Kids Foundation, a Whole Foods Market foundation, is based in Austin, Texas, and operates as an independent, nonprofit organization. By empowering schools and inspiring families, the foundation aims to help children reach optimal health through the strength of a healthy body fueled by nutritious food. Wholekidsfoundation.org

Media Contact: Kate Pearson, American Halal Company, Inc., 203.202.3961, kate@americanhalal.com

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