Healthy Family Project Celebrates Charitable Success at 2026 Southern Exposure Event

On February 27, 2026, the Healthy Family Project welcomed over 200 produce industry professionals in Orlando for its annual Thank You Reception during the Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure event. The evening honored a year of impactful cause marketing campaigns that collectively raised over $348,000 for various charitable partners.

The funds raised will benefit several notable organizations, including Feeding America food banks, the Foundation for Fresh Produce, Our Military Kids, and Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Since its inception in 2002, the Healthy Family Project has successfully generated over $8 million in charitable support.

Successful Campaigns Drive Fundraising Efforts

The effective fundraising strategies for 2025 included collaborations with retail partners like Publix Super Markets, Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG) Springfield Division, Coborn’s, DECA, and Lowes Food Stores. Comprehensive digital campaigns — such as Back to School, Mission for Nutrition, and Carry the Cause — were also instrumental in achieving impressive results.

John Shuman, president of Shuman Farms and founder of Healthy Family Project, attributed the initiative’s continued success to the industry’s collaborative spirit. “For over two decades, this industry has showcased the power of collective effort,” Shuman stated. “In 2025, we enabled families to access more nutritious food while simultaneously fortifying the communities we serve. We take pride in our accomplishments and are motivated for the future.”

Guest speakers during the reception highlighted the human impact behind the numbers. Dan Samuels, director of philanthropy at Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, emphasized that one in seven children in their service area is currently facing hunger. Meanwhile, Kara Dallman, executive director of Our Military Kids, explained how their military-focused grants support children of deployed, activated, or injured service members in maintaining stability through extracurricular activities.

Looking Ahead: New Campaigns on the Horizon

As planning for the 2026 campaigns is already underway, there are numerous partnership opportunities available for brands and retailers eager to expand their community outreach through cause marketing.

[RELATED: Coborn’s Teams Up With Healthy Family Project For Produce For Kids Campaign]