PARK RIDGE, N.J. – This back-to-school, Welch's® Fruit Snacks, a beloved staple in classrooms and lunchboxes, is shining the spotlight on the season's true heroes: teachers.
America's No. 1 Fruit Snacks Brand and Crayola, the iconic brand synonymous with creative learning and back-to-school, are launching a nationwide campaign including limited-edition interactive packaging that invites families to nominate teachers who have made a difference in their lives for a Thank You Teacher Sweepstakes.
"As the makers of Welch's Fruit Snacks, we take great pride in putting what matters most first —like Real, Whole Fruit as our first ingredient," said Jason Levine, Chief Marketing Officer at PIM Brands Inc. "This time of year too often centers on shopping lists and material things but we believe what matters most is a child's love of learning and the teachers who ignite it. Educators inspire young minds, champion creativity, and quietly begin shaping the year ahead long before the first bell ever rings. We're thrilled to partner with Crayola to shift the spotlight and put teachers where they truly belong this back-to-school season — first."
As part of the Thank You Teacher Sweepstakes, 250 nominated teachers will win gift cards to stock up on curiosity-sparking classroom essentials and one grand prize winner's school will be awarded a $10,000 classroom makeover and supply of Crayola products to better fuel creativity for school years to come.
"We're honored to partner with Welch's Fruit Snacks to recognize the incredible teachers who lead with creativity and spark a love of learning in their students," said Anna Roca, head of Global Partnerships and Promotions at Crayola. "This collaboration reflects our ongoing commitment to educators. The Thank You Teacher Sweepstakes is a heartfelt way to recognize and celebrate the many dedicated educators across the nation."
The limited-edition boxes of Welch's Fruit Snacks are designed to help spark creativity and engage fans. Each interactive box features fruit-themed line art ready to be colored with Crayola crayons, markers, or colored pencils (sold separately), plus a special side panel where families can write a personal note or drawing to a favorite teacher.
The back-to-school boxes are packed with soft, delicious fruit snacks made with Real, Whole Fruit as the Main Ingredient and, for the first time, introduce the beloved Mixed Fruit, Berries 'n Cherries and Fruit Punch varieties made with colors from natural sources. This marks an important milestone in Welch's® Fruit Snacks commitment to exclusively use colors from natural sources in all products across the portfolio by early 2026.
"As the category leader and a family-owned business, our top priority is always our consumers and their families. The move to colors from natural sources began over a decade ago and is already reflected in products launched since 2018 including Welch's Fruit Snacks Summer Fruits and Mango-Peach, Welch's® Juicefuls and Juicefuls Fusions," said Levine. "Now, just in time for back-to-school, we're proud to begin rolling out our best-selling flavors made without artificial dyes and without compromising on the things we know people love about Welch's Fruit Snacks: Real Fruit and great taste."
The limited-edition packaging will be available in Mixed Fruit and Berries 'n Cherries 10ct and 40ct size, and Mixed Fruit, Berries 'n Cherries & Fruit Punch Combo 22ct boxes, starting this month. Look for them at retailers nationwide, including Walmart, Target, HEB and more, while supplies last.
Follow along on social media: @WelchsFruitSnck on Instagram and @WelchsFruitSnacks on TikTok. For more information on Welch's® Fruit Snacks and the brand's back-to-school programming, please visit https://welchsfruitsnacks.com/back-to-school-season/ or scan the QR code on specially marked packages.
