Arkansas PBS > Engage > Pressroom > PBS KIDS expands Whole Foods Market partnership through launch of tree planting initiative
Posted 18 Oct 2017
The Arkansas Educational Television Network, PBS KIDS and Whole Foods Market are continuing their multi-year partnership with a variety of toys, including a new line of sustainable, educational wooden toys for children. Part of a new licensing partnership between PBS KIDS and Maxim Enterprise, Inc., the PBS KIDS EverEarth product collection spans multiple categories for indoor and outdoor play, encouraging families to explore and learn together. Additionally, PBS KIDS will premiere eight new plush animals, made by Aurora, available exclusively at Whole Foods Market for the 2017 holiday season.
One-hundred percent of the net proceeds from the sale of all PBS KIDS toys at Whole Foods Market will support the media brand's mission to help all children, especially those who need it most while Whole Foods Market will also donate one percent of total sales to Whole Kids Foundation, an organization dedicated to improving wellness and nutrition across the country.
The new PBS KIDS toy line includes stackers, blocks, wooden vehicles, pull-along animals musical instruments and more. Each toy is manufactured sustainably with Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified wood and organic cotton, and embellished with water-based paint.
As part of the product line's commitment to sustainability, PBS KIDS and Maxim Enterprise, Inc. are introducing the PBS KIDS EverEarth Plant-A-Tree Initiative. For each toy purchased, a tree will be planted in a first-of-its-kind, FSC-certified forest created by EverEarth. Families will be able to register each toy purchased from the line to have a tree planted on their behalf and receive an official certificate. More information is available at pbskids.org/plantatree.
The PBS KIDS EverEarth product line will launch with more than 30 Stock Keeping Units (SKU) at Whole Foods Market in November, just in time for the 2017 holiday season. The toys will be available at other retail outlets nationwide beginning in 2018.
The PBS KIDS Aurora line of plush toys will debut in November exclusively at Whole Foods and will feature a new lineup of animals, including a narwhal, flamingo and black jaguar. The toys feature fun, kid-friendly facts about each animal, connecting children with the diversity of wildlife.
The Arkansas Educational Television Network is Arkansas's only statewide public media network, which enhances lives by providing lifelong learning opportunities for people from all walks of life. AETN delivers local, award-winning productions and classic, trusted PBS programs aimed at sharing Arkansas and the world with viewers through the distinct channels AETN PBS, AETN Create, AETN PBS KIDS, AETN World and AETN AIRS on SAP. Audiences can also watch on several digital platforms, and members with AETN Passport have extended on-demand access to a rich library of public television programming. AETN depends on the generosity of Arkansans and the State of Arkansas to continue offering quality programming. Additional information is available at aetn.org. AETN is broadcast on KETS (Little Rock), KEMV (Mountain View), KETG (Arkadelphia), KAFT (Fayetteville), KTEJ (Jonesboro) and KETZ (El Dorado).