In the latest salvo to get kids to go green (green veggies, that is), PBS Kids and Produce for Kids, the org operated by Georgia-based Shuman Produce, are launching an in-store and online initiative to promote healthy eating and smart food choices.

A supermarket-focused educational campaign encouraging children to ‘Eat Smart for a Great Start,’ kicks off on Oct 1. Hopper, the animated guinea pig from PBS KIDS preschool destination, will loom large on the brochures and in-store materials that will be distributed to Midwest grocers Meijer (which operates 179 supercenters), some 905 Publix Super Market outlets in the Southeastern US and Giant Food Stores’ 150 locations in the Northeastern US.

To further support the program, a healthy eating page full of relevant games, fitness challenges and activities is now part of pbskids.org, and the site will also include recipes, and a Q & A section.

The Produce for Kids website (www.produceforkids.org) will link to the PBS Kids and PBS Parents site.