For over 23 years, Healthy Family Project has redefined cause marketing within the produce industry. By seamlessly integrating community giving into business operations, the organization has raised over $8 million and donated more than 22 million meals to food banks across the U.S. This legacy of impact continues with their newest initiative, Carry the Cause, designed to provide much-needed support to families facing hunger during the critical winter months.

Filling the gap after the holidays

While the holiday season is often marked by generosity, January and February bring new challenges for food banks. After the seasonal donations are depleted, families facing hunger still need resources to get by. Carry the Cause steps in during this gap, offering a simple yet effective way for the grocery and produce industries to help.

The initiative revolves around the sale of eco-friendly tote bags, with each purchase helping support the Feeding America network of food banks and ensuring that they stay stocked during a time when donations slow but demand remains high.

Healthy Family Project: A cause marketing leader

Since its founding, Healthy Family Project has set the standard for cause marketing in the produce industry. By partnering with leading brands, retailers, and food banks, the organization has demonstrated how businesses can drive meaningful social impact while engaging their customers.

Initiatives like Carry the Cause build on this legacy, offering grocery and produce executives an opportunity to align their brands with values that resonate deeply with today’s consumers. The program exemplifies how a simple product can drive awareness, foster loyalty, and create tangible community benefits.

Collaborating for greater impact

A key strength of Carry the Cause lies in its partnerships with industry leaders. Three sponsors—Shuman Farms, Tasteful Selections, and Village Farms—are helping amplify the initiative’s reach and impact.

• Shuman Farms, based in Statesboro, Georgia, supports Feed the Boro, a local organization providing essential groceries to families facing food insecurity.
• Tasteful selections, a longtime supporter of food bank initiatives, partners with MANNA FoodBank in Western North Carolina, focusing on hurricane recovery efforts.
• Village Farms, also collaborating with MANNA FoodBank, ensures meals and resources reach families rebuilding their lives after Hurricane Helena.

In addition to online sales, Harps Food Stores will be supporting the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank through in-store sales of the tote bag. 

These partnerships demonstrate how the grocery and produce industries can work together to address food insecurity in meaningful and targeted ways.

A tote with purpose

The Carry the Cause tote is more than a fundraising tool—it’s a symbol of hope and community action. Made from durable, eco-friendly canvas, the bag is perfect for everyday errands and grocery runs.

Customers who purchase the tote are encouraged to share their support by posting photos on social media using the hashtag #CarryTheCause. This small act helps spread awareness, encouraging others to join the movement and magnifying the initiative’s impact.

Making an ongoing impact

Over the years, Healthy Family Project has proven that giving back isn’t just a seasonal effort—it’s an ongoing commitment. From raising millions of dollars to donating millions of meals, the organization has shown that the grocery and produce industries have the power to make a profound difference. 

Learn more at shop.healthyfamilyproject.com.