Back-to-School Boost: For 15 Years, Taylor Farms Has Helped Over 48,000 Students Start the Year Ready to Learn
We’re giving back—by giving backpacks! We are excited to announce that this year’s annual Backpack Giving Program has delivered over 4,400 backpacks filled with essential school supplies and healthy snacks to thousands of students spanning nearly 20 school communities across the U.S. and Mexico.
From Growing Vegetables to Growing Communities
We believe that a successful school year begins with the right school supplies as well as with the right nutrition.
“Education is a key part of our community commitment, and we believe that every child deserves the opportunity to start the school year with the right resources,” says Panchita Preciado, Safety Manager for Taylor Farms and longtime leader of the Backpack Giving Program.
The Program began as a small local effort in 2010, with the aim of donating just a few hundred well-stocked school backpacks to Monterey County school districts in partnership with Golden State Foods. Fifteen years later, the initiative has grown into an impactful movement that now spans seven states and almost 20 school districts. Today, in total, we have donated more than 48,000 full backpacks to help students start the school year prepared, confident, well-fed, and ready to thrive.
“As our business has grown, so has our opportunity to give back,” said Bruce Taylor, Chairman and CEO of Taylor Farms. “We’re grateful to be in a position to support the communities where our team members live and work, and to help provide young students with some of the essentials they need to succeed in school and build a bright future.”
Giving Back To Our Roots
The Backpack Giving Program is one of Taylor Farms’ most beloved traditions, as it engages employees from start to finish. Team members help pack each backpack with supplies and healthy snacks, then personally deliver them to students during their first week of school. This hands-on involvement strengthens the bond between employees and the communities they serve, making it even more meaningful.
“This program not only provides essential supplies but also fosters a sense of connection and support among our employees and local families,” adds Panchita Preciado.
The program takes place in regions across the U.S. and Mexico where Taylor Farms team members live and work. This year’s distributions reached students in California, Texas, Maryland, New Jersey, Colorado, Rhode Island, Washington, Florida, and Mexico.
In Monterey County, the Backpack Giving Program continues to have a strong and important impact. This year, it reached over 1,300 students across Salinas, San Juan Bautista, Hollister, King City, Gonzales, and surrounding communities. Backpacks were delivered directly to elementary schools across the Salinas City Elementary, Alisal Union, Gonzales Unified, Aromas-San Juan Unified, and Hollister School Districts, as well as South County campuses. Many of these schools serve the children and relatives of Taylor Farms team members, which makes the program a deeply rooted give-back initiative in the community where the company was founded.
We at Taylor Farms are so excited that we can help thousands of children have the tools they need to learn and thrive.
