Greenwich High School Swimmers Rely on 50-Year Fruit Fundraiser

The Greenwich High School Boys Swim and Dive team sells fresh fruit to fund its operations, a practice that has continued for approximately 50 years. This annual campaign serves as the primary financial engine for the program, which operates under the leadership of Coach Terry Lowe, who has guided the team since 1967.

The fundraiser sources its produce from New Jersey’s Pee Jay’s, a family-owned company. The team previously purchased fruit from Florida’s Langdon Barber Groves starting around 1976. When Langdon Barber sold its business to Pee Jay’s in 2018, the team maintained the partnership with the new owner.

Each swimmer and diver is tasked with selling 10 boxes of fruit. The timing of the campaign coincides with the start of the competitive season in December, a period when athletes require peak physical conditioning. The fruit offers an alternative to traditional holiday sweets. In mid-December, a truck delivers hundreds of boxes to the school. Team members unload the produce, providing a physical workout and a chance for team bonding.

Revenue from sales covers specific team expenses. These include team dues, swim suits, food and snacks for away meets, and travel during the December and February school breaks, which the team calls doubles. The funds also support the team yearbook and the end-of-season celebration.

One local realtor stands out as a major customer, purchasing roughly 80 boxes annually. She was a former swimmer at Greenwich High School and has two brothers who also competed for the team. The team’s highest sales record is held by a pair of brothers who sold more than 100 boxes.

Customers can place orders through the team’s website. Local orders are hand-delivered by a student athlete. Orders for customers outside the area are shipped via UPS to any address in the United States.