Caring for and giving back to the community has always been at the heart of FirstFruits Farms. Since its founding, the company has carried a clear purpose: helping communities thrive.
That commitment is reflected not only in becoming 100% EFI Certified, but also in the many ways FirstFruits continues to live out its values, like its annual Back-to-School event.
Each year, this celebration brings workers, families, and people in their communities together to support students as they prepare for school. This year’s event featured free haircuts for kids, gifts filled with school supplies and even a planetarium experience, blending practical support with joyful moments.
As Emily Cox, Marketing Manager, mentioned during the interview, “this event not only becomes a tradition that supports employees, their families and their communities in practical, fun, and meaningful ways, but also reinforces our values of community, care and sustainability.”
In this blog, we’re excited to share an interview with three FirstFruits team members who help bring this tradition to life: Gloria Alvarado Garcia, Community Executive Director; Socorro Garcia, Community Programs Coordinator and Promotora de Salud (Health Promoter); and Emily Cox. Together, they take us behind the scenes of the back-to-school event, discussing the preparation, challenges, favorite moments and reminding us why creating spaces of care and celebration matters so deeply in the community.
The Interview:
Is this initiative a yearly tradition? Where did the idea for this back-to-school project come from?
Yes, our Back-to-School event has become a yearly tradition in our community. The idea began with the goal of supporting children and families by providing the essential supplies and resources they need to start the school year successfully. At the same time, we wanted to create a true community celebration that brings joy, unity, and inspiration. Over time, it has grown into a tradition that fosters learning, hope, and opportunity for everyone.
-Gloria Alvarado Garcia, Community Executive Director
Who participated in the event? Was it mainly FirstFruits workers’ families or open to
the larger community?
The event was open to the whole community. Many FirstFruits workers’ families attended, and we also welcomed families from Prescott and other local community members. Bringing everyone together created a space that was inclusive, meaningful, and a fantastic way to celebrate and prepare for the new school year.
What was the most challenging part of putting everything together?
The most challenging part is always finding sponsors. Sometimes, even after we agree, they want to renegotiate the amount, or they are not comfortable sharing the spotlight with other sponsors on the flyer. On top of that, every year the needs of families are different, so we have to stretch every sponsorship as much as possible. Balancing all of that is not easy, but it’s worth it for the impact we create together.
– Socorro Garcia, Community Programs Coordinator and Promotora de Salud (Health Promoter)
What inspired you to include school supplies, feeding families, raffling gifts, free haircuts and even the special presentation by the Planetarium group?
We wanted the event to support families in different ways as a community. Preparing for back-to-school can be stressful and costly, so providing essentials like supplies and haircuts helps ease that burden. At the same time, offering food, fun activities, and educational experiences creates a positive and uplifting environment where families feel supported and celebrated. This was made possible thanks to the generous support of our sponsors, including Greater Health Now, WellPoint, and Tri-Cities Community Health, whose partnership helped us bring this vision to life.
How many kids and families joined to your back-to-school event?
This year, we welcomed 67 families and about 90 children. In total, around 220 people participated in the three-hour event, making it an excellent and lively community gathering.
Was there a particular story or reaction from a child or family that stood out to you?
One story that truly stood out was a family with four boys who received free haircuts. The
mother was deeply grateful, sharing how much it helped her save for other essential needs.
Moments like these, along with personal messages from parents saying, “Thank you for always
thinking about the well-being of our community,” really highlight the impact of the event. Their
gratitude is the greatest reward and the reason we continue this work with love.
The planetarium sounds really creative! How was the planning for this? Where did the idea come from, and what was the experience like for the kids?
Each year, my personal challenge is to bring an activity that leaves a lasting impact and
expands knowledge in new areas for both children and families. The planetarium did precisely that; kids were amazed, saying things like, “I didn’t know the universe was so big!” For the future, one of my dreams is to create a back-to-school theme centered on STEM activities, providing children and families with hands-on opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math. While it would require more investment, the important thing is to keep this vision alive. Being persistent and passionate about our community, making a vision a reality.
Why is it important for FirstFruits Farms to host an event like this?
It’s important for FirstFruits Farms to host events like this because when we take care of our employees and invest in their well-being, we create an environment where people feel proud to stay and grow with us. This importance is evident in the multi-generational families that have become FirstFruits employees.
-Emily Cox, Marketing Manager
