(AUSTIN, Texas) October 30, 2014 – PBS KIDS and Whole Foods Market (NASDAQ: WFM) announced a partnership today that will bring PBS KIDS’ line of educational and earth-friendly toys exclusively to the supermarket’s customers this holiday season. Starting this week, gift givers can find the PBS KIDS toy line, including classic wooden toys and soft plush animals, at Whole Foods Markets nationwide in the retailer’s Whole Body department.
PBS KIDS’ new line of products is designed to inspire creative curiosity, while supporting the development of healthy, happy kids. One-hundred percent of PBS KIDS’ net proceeds will benefit the media brand’s mission of empowering children through knowledge, critical thinking and imagination, while Whole Foods Market will donate one percent of total sales, up to $25,000, to Whole Kids Foundation, an organization dedicated to improving children’s nutrition and wellness.
“We are excited to work with Whole Foods Market on a program that fosters our shared commitment to education and child development, while giving holiday shoppers an opportunity to give a more meaningful type of gift this holiday season,” said Lesli Rotenberg, general manager, children’s programming, PBS. “Open-ended play is an integral part of a young child’s development, and the new PBS KIDS toy line provides children with the opportunity to explore and learn in a safe and fun way.”
Appropriate for young children ages six months to three years, the PBS KIDS toy line features: race cars made from recycled milk bottles; colorful, wooden vehicles assembled by hand from local wood in Vermont; shape sorters (recently named a National Parenting Publications Awards (NAPPA) silver award winner) and stackers that inspire a love for fruits and veggies; super soft plush animals made with phthalate- and PVC-free materials; and organic t-shirts and infant onesies with vintage designs.
Each item in the PBS KIDS toy line is made with safe, non-toxic materials and inks, and all packaging is made from recycled materials. Many of the toys are produced in the USA from sustainable materials, responsibly harvested from local communities.
“PBS KIDS is known for creating fun, educational content that encourages kids to learn by exploring the world around them,” said Jeanne Tamayo, Whole Foods Market’s global lifestyle buyer. “And that's the exact goal behind this new line of toys — to help our shoppers find new, exciting ways to teach their children through play. Whole Foods Market is proud to offer these toys to families exclusively this holiday season.”
In addition to finding the new line of PBS KIDS toys at Whole Foods Markets nationwide, consumers can purchase products online at shop.pbskids.org.
