PBS Kids and Whole Foods Market team up for exclusive back-to-school line

PBS Kids, Arlington, Va., and Austin, Texas-based Whole Foods Market teamed up to offer a new line of back-to-school products, available exclusively at Whole Foods Market stores this July and August. The two mission-driven brands announced a broad offering of school supplies, ranging from notebooks made from recycled paper to organic cotton backpacks and reusable lunch totes.

In addition to Esperos’ line of PBS Kids organic cotton canvas items, Whole Foods Market will debut a line of PBS Kids reusable food keepers from Lunchskins — said to be perfect for sandwiches, snacks or fruit. Lunchskins is committed to reducing the amount of plastic waste produced every year, as each one of the brand’s reusable bags can replace 500 plastic bags. The grocer will also carry PBS Kids notebooks and folders for school and play from Mudpuppy, which supports children’s education throughout the year, including a multi-year partnership to support PBS Kids, as well as other school programs.

All of PBS Kids’ net proceeds from the line will support its educational programming, which is dedicated to helping all children succeed in school and in life, while Whole Foods Market will donate a percentage of total sales, up to $25,000, to the Whole Kids Foundation, an organization dedicated to improving children’s nutrition and wellness, the companies said. In addition, for every Esperos backpack, pencil case and lunch tote purchased, Esperos will donate 10 percent of proceeds to help fund education for children in need through the Esperos Carry Hope initiative.

“PBS Kids and Whole Foods Market share a commitment to the healthy development of children and families,” said Lesli Rotenberg, general manager, children’s media, PBS. “Proceeds from the new PBS Kids back-to-school line will help support PBS Kids’ mission: to open worlds of possibilities for all children through engaging media content.”

Jeanne Tamayo, global lifestyle buyer at Whole Foods Market, said the retailer's partnership with PBS Kids "continues to raise the bar for quality children's products" and provides   “Whole Foods Market’s partnership with PBS KIDS continues to raise the bar for quality children’s products and offers options typically not found elsewhere.

“By working with suppliers like Esperos, Lunchskins and Mudpuppy, kids can get school supplies that truly do more," she said. "Proceeds from every product support children’s education through PBS Kids and healthy-eating education through Whole Kids Foundation — plus, each product is either reusable or made with recycled or organic materials."

To further prepare young children for back to school season, exclusive Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood content, including clips from the TV series, printable learning activities and family-friendly recipes, will be available for free at wholefoodsmarket.com, the companies said.