The 2016 Merge Summit Features Celebrity Speakers

Nearly 30 million people in the U.S. live in food deserts – neighborhoods without access to affordable, quality, fresh fruits and vegetables. What is even more alarming is that a recent survey shows 60 percent of Americans don’t actually believe food deserts exist in their own communities. In an effort to raise awareness and provide fresh produce where there is none, Naked Juice – a brand that packs a bounty of fruits and vegetables into every bottle and believes everyone should be able to enjoy these foods every day – is launching the 2016 #DrinkGoodDoGood cause campaign.Once again partnering with Wholesome Wave – a national nonprofit founded by James Beard award-winning chef Michel Nischan that works to make fresh, healthy food affordable and accessible for low-income families – Naked Juice is kicking off the campaign with a 250,000-pound contribution and asking consumers to get involved as well. For every fruit and veggie selfie shared with #DrinkGoodDoGood, Naked Juice will donate an additional 10 pounds of produce to our neighbors in need.To spread the word and inspire others to do good with their selfies, Naked Juice is teaming up with locally loved and nationally known ambassadors around the country.”Our vision is a country where everyone has access to affordable, quality, fresh fruits and vegetables,” said Andrea Theodore, general manager at Naked Juice. “Food deserts are a real issue that affect so many, but are realized by so few. So, we’ve teamed up with a group of likeminded ambassadors to help encourage others to get behind this cause through the campaign’s simple call to action.”This year’s #DrinkGoodDoGood ambassador lineup includes:Bobby Flay, chef and restaurateurCommon, artist, actor and activistAdrian Grenier, actor, filmmaker, social good advocateTom Colicchio, Wholesome Wave board member, chef and owner at Crafted HospitalityTyler Florence, Wholesome Wave board member, chef and restaurateurRyan Lewis, producer and directorMinka Kelly, actor and culinary school graduateRichard Blais, chef and restaurateurJosé Andrés, Wholesome Wave board member, chef and owner at ThinkFoodGroupPhilippe Cousteau, Jr., environmentalist and filmmakerJeremy Ford, chefMichelle Bernstein, chef and restaurateur”I love fruits and vegetables. Not only are they vibrant, delicious and nutritious ingredients for a great dish, they are also a powerful ingredient for a healthy, successful and bright future” said Bobby Flay. “And the fact that one out of every 10 people in this country don’t have access to affordable, healthy produce is unacceptable. I’m proud to join Naked Juice to bring attention to and help fight food deserts.””Where I grew up in Chicago, affordable, quality food was hard to come by,” said Common, Academy-Award and Grammy-Award winner. “I want to see good, healthy fruits and vegetables in areas that don’t have them. And by simply taking a selfie, we are one step closer.”To join Naked Juice and Wholesome Wave in the fight against food deserts, share a fruit and veggie selfie on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram with #DrinkGoodDoGood.*The monetary equivalent of fruits and vegetables will be donated. Maximum donation of $500,000.