Oakland, Calif.-based Paramount Export Co. is celebrating 80 years in business this year by participating in a big way with Tour de Fresh.Paramount hopes to raise funds for at least eight salad bars with its Tour de Fresh sponsorship.With his wife Robyn, Ed Purves, Paramount's long-time California field representative, is riding tandem in their fifth Tour de Fresh, according to Nick Kukulan, president of the company."We decided early this year to sponsor Ed and Robyn and to celebrate our 80th Anniversary by setting a big goal of raising eight salad bars, one for each decade of business," Kukulan said in an e-mail. "There is no better way to celebrate our success than to encourage produce consumption with the youth in our country."Because of the support from friends in the industry, Kukulan said the company expects to raise funds for 10 salad bars. Ed and Robyn Purves were leading all riders in funds raised as of Oct. 15.Tour de Fresh will finish 11:30 a.m. Oct. 16 in Anaheim, Calif., with a celebratory ride at the Anaheim Convention Center, home of the Oct. 17-19 Produce Marketing Association Fresh Summit expo and convention.Related articles Sixth annual Tour de Fresh ride approachesIndustry invited to cheer on Tour de Fresh cyclists
