Chiquita Brands International, in collaboration with Fresh Express and Planet Harvest, has officially launched the “Fresh Communities Tour: From the Fields to America’s Cities.” The tour is a nationwide initiative meant to expand access to fresh, nutritious food, serving thousands of families across the country.
Launching in Miami and Fort Lauderdale, the tour hosted distribution events at King Jesus Church, United Way Broward, and Lotus House before continuing with nonprofit organizations in Salinas, California. Each stop brought together volunteers, local organizations, and community members to support families in need.
Thus far, the initiative has distributed 10,000 fresh food boxes, reaching more than 30,000 individuals and providing food equivalent to over 100,000 meals.
“At Chiquita, we believe fresh, nutritious food should be accessible to every family,” said Peter Stedman, Sustainability Director at Chiquita. “Together, we’re helping expand access to fresh food while reinforcing the important role fruits like bananas play in healthy, everyday nutrition—and we’re just getting started.”
Each food box includes fresh fruits and vegetables, Fresh Express® salad kits and Chiquita® bananas along with pantry staples, helping ensure families have access to balanced, nourishing meals.
“Fresh Express is proud to be part of this collaboration by helping make fresh food easier to enjoy as a full meal, not just an ingredient,” said John Olivo, President of Fresh Express. “By pairing ready-to-eat salads with fresh fruit, we’re helping families access nutritious, convenient meals during times when time and resources can be limited.”
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The South Florida and Salinas activations marked the first stops in a broader national effort that will continue in additional markets, including Chicago, Illinois and Miami. Upcoming events throughout 2026, including back-to-school and holiday distributions in Miami, will further expand the tour’s reach and deepen its community impact.
“Joining forces with like-minded organizations like Chiquita and Fresh Express, that are also equally committed to expanding food access and strengthening local communities is deeply important to us,” said Melissa Ackerman, CEO at Planet Harvest. “We’re working to make a meaningful difference for American farmers and the families they help feed, one box at a time.”
“From the Fields to America’s Cities” underscores a shared commitment among collaborators to reduce food waste, support farmers and increase access to fresh food in underserved communities. The initiative also brings together employees, volunteers and local leaders to create meaningful, on-the-ground impact through food distribution events and community engagement.
In addition to food distribution, the events will feature educational components such as recipe cards and family-friendly nutrition touchpoints, encouraging simple, healthy meal preparation.
This effort builds on Chiquita’s long-standing mission to create a positive impact beyond the fruit aisle. Through its “Behind the Blue Sticker” program, the company strives to champion Being a Good Neighbor.
For more information on Chiquita and similar initiatives, visit www.chiquita.com.
