Potatoes may not seem on their own to be a natural fit for salad bars, but the industry group that promotes the root veggie’s many benefits is proving to be a key supporter of putting salad bars in schools around the country.

This week, Potatoes USA announced the latest part of the Let’s Move Salad Bars to Schools campaign, which donates salad bars to school districts in need. The campaign, launched via the United Fresh Start Foundation, has found a major backer in Potatoes USA, which has become the biggest individual commodity donor to the program, donating more than 280 salad bars so far.

The latest part of the campaign promises to keep Potatoes USA busy for months. Over the next 21 weeks, the group will donate salad bars to one school district per week—offering an opportunity to encourage more healthy eating of fruits and vegetables in schools.

And for those of you who think that salad bars and potatoes don’t go together, Potatoes USA Global Marketing Manager Rachael Lynch says that potatoes are often a key beneficiary of the salad bars.

“I’ve seen operators use salad bars as creative topping bars for fresh baked potatoes, yogurt and so much more,” she said in a news release.

The Let’s Move Salad Bars to Schools national program, started by the United Fresh Produce Association and other industry partners after the passage of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, has attracted wide support from around the food industry, with more than 5,000 salad bars donated over the years—a value of $13.3 million.

School districts looking for salad bars of their own can sign up on the campaign’s website.

(AGfoto/iStock/Getty Images Plus)