• by Tanya Gazdik , July 7, 2011

Annie's Homegrown, Stonyfield YoKids, Honest Kids and Seventh Generation have partnered for a back-to-school promo that encourages families to stop using paper bags for lunches.

The brands are offering a free Kids Konserve lunch sack with the purchase of participating products July 1 through Sept. 30.

Consumers can visit Annies.com/bts11, print out the form then mail in proof of purchase of all four brands. Eligible products include: any Annie's Homegrown item, Stonyfield YoKids Organic Yogurt 6-packs or Squeezers, Honest Kids Organic Drinks 8-pack carton or 64-ounce bottle and Seventh Generation Disinfectants (sprays or wipes).

The promotion will be highlighted in shipper displays, on pack stickers and through social media. All participating brands will promote the offer through Facebook, Twitter and newsletters.

While home-packed lunches can offer healthy options, using new brown or plastic sacks each day leads to unnecessary waste, says Aimee Sands, marketing director, Annie's. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that of the more than 3,960,000 tons of plastic bags, sacks and wraps produced annually, 90% are discarded and end up in landfills or oceans.

Busy parents are thinking about how they can create the best environment for their kids, from how they eat to the cleaning products they use to how they can manage their eco footprint, Sands tells Marketing Daily. "The 'Savings are in the Bag' promotion offers a great deal on Back to School essentials. And, the Kids Konserve bag makes packing lunches a cinch."

Kids Konserve lunch sacks are made from recycled cotton. The company provides lunch systems and products that are reusable, waste-free and sourced from eco-friendly materials.

Annie's Homegrown, Stonyfield YoKids, Honest Kids and Seventh Generation products are available at major grocery stores and other retail outlets nationwide. The free Kids Konserve reusable lunch sacks are available while supplies last, limit one per customer.

"Annie's often works with like-minded companies to create great campaigns for our fans, but this is the first time we've launched a promotion that brings together four great brands," Sands says. "One of our goals in joining forces with Honest Kids, Stonyfield and Seventh Generation is to raise awareness for the many wonderful eco-friendly options consumers can find on shelves today."

This is the second year of Annie's lunch sack giveaway, Sands says. "In 2010 we had an incredibly positive response from retailers and our consumers, so we are excited to bring back the promotion again, and add additional value with our eco-friendly partners," she says.