Schools throughout New Orleans will be the beneficiaries this fall as United Fresh has announced that it will donate multiple salad bars to schools in the Crescent City as part of its A Salad Bar in Every School campaign. During this year's Washington Public Policy Conference, United Fresh will host a New Orleans-themed cruise Tuesday, September 14, aboard the Cherry Blossom, a 19th century-style Victorian sternwheeler, and will feature Dixieland jazz, dinner, drinks and a nighttime tour of the Washington, D.C. monuments by water.

"Healthy options in school are a must for kids nationwide, but in New Orleans, which continues to face so many challenges following Hurricane Katrina, the need is especially great," said United Fresh President and CEO Tom Stenzel. "Through this special event, the Salad Bar in Every School campaign will receive the resources to donate salad bars full of fresh, healthy produce to New Orleans schools. As part of the Washington Public Policy Conference, we will take the message of nutritious fresh fruits and vegetables for children from this new event to Capitol Hill and beyond."

Proceeds from the event will go directly toward providing salad bars to New Orleans schools. Salad bars will be donated  during the United Fresh 2011 Convention and Expo, May 2-5 in New Orleans. Companies can demonstrate their support via several available sponsorship packages.  Individual tickets for the cruise  are $125 and can be purchased at the United Fresh website or by contacting United’s Vice President of Business Development Claudia Wenzing at 202-303-3400, ext. 415.

The cruise is part of United's annual Washington Public Policy Conference, September 14-16 at the Gaylord National Hotel on the banks of the Potomac River. During the three-day conference, produce industry members will discuss the tremendous potential of salad bars in child nutrition, as well as other critical priorities, including food safety, farm labor, and the locally-grown trend. During the conference's March on Capitol Hill, industry members will have the unique opportunity to meet in-person with lawmakers and staff in congressional offices and discuss food safety policies with FDA officials, hear from key Cabinet officials and engage in face-to-face dialogue with President Obama's executive team.

This year's conference will also include the business development-focused Management Resource Center and the ever-popular Fresh Festival on Capitol Hill, a favorite among industry members and congressional staffers alike. During Fresh Festival, House and Senate lawmakers and their staff join attendees in sampling the flavorful fruits and vegetables the produce industry has to offer.

Registration for the conference is open and more information may be found by visiting www.unitedfresh.org.