From Oprah to internet bloggers, to coupon clipping services and smart phone apps, our airwaves, mailboxes and monitors are filled with advice on how to save money on everything from apples to zinc -- and nearly every consumer product in between.  These tough economic times have families turning to whatever means they can to save money – including spending smarter on staples, like groceries.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100329/CL77847 )

A recent survey conducted by the business-advisory firm AlixPartners(1) found big spending shifts are expected in 2010 for consumer products.  Results cited an evolution of the American consumer -- where this past year consumers had been 'value shoppers', they have evolved into 'value-hunters', tracking down deals and perceived value.

Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Spartan Stores has developed a very simple solution through the introduction of its new Value Price Program in its Family Fare, Felpausch, Glen's Markets, and VG's throughout Michigan in March of 2010.  According to Alan Hartline, Executive Vice President Merchandising and Marketing for Spartan Stores, "We understand the consumers' heightened need to find value and, as part of our overall consumer-centric retail strategy, we are launching a comprehensive Value Price Program statewide in March to offer special, low cost product pricing and an enhanced promotion and advertising program to make these items easier to find and show the consumer how much money they are saving today."  

Value Price Program items will be advertised statewide through television, radio, web, print, newspaper inserts, and in-store with large yellow oval signs for weekly specials, Basket of Values, Wall of Values, and special pricing on thousands of essential household items consumers buy most often.    

Large bright yellow ceiling, wall and shelf tags and ads will clearly inform shoppers the price drop and the savings.  

 "Groceries, prescriptions and fuel are important necessities for consumers, and this value pricing strategy is a significant investment to offer consumers good value at our retail stores," added Hartline.  "Our high quality, multi-tier corporate brands, in-store pharmacies, discount generic prescription program, and fuel center rewards program are other examples of how we have modified our offerings to bring consumers even better values during this challenging economic time.  We want the consumers to know that we are constantly thinking of ways to enhance the value that we bring to them."

And the shelf tags tie in with Spartan Stores Nutrition Guide information to help make quick, smart decisions based on low sodium, low fat, low calorie, high fiber, gluten free, and sugar free items.

The 2010 Consumer Survey by the National Grocers Association(2 ) findings note that high unemployment and economic uncertainty have more families staying home and eating out less often.  Consumers also are comparison shopping, seeking value and price, making less trips to the store, buying only what is needed, switching to store brands from name brands, choosing local and healthier items, and stocking up on sale priced staples.

According to the NGA's 2010 Consumer Report, Spartan Stores' approach is just what families throughout Michigan want:  

• Three out of four respondents (73%) say they 'stock up on bargain items'  
• 66% 'look in newspapers for grocery specials', up four points from 2009
• 65% 'use cents-off coupons received in the mail or from newspapers/magazines', up one point from a year ago
• 41% also request 'More locally grown foods' , which is in direct line with Spartan Stores Michigan's Best program featuring 2400 products grown or produced in Michigan
• 16% seek nutrition and health information, indicating Spartan Stores' Nutrition Guide shelf tags for over 17,000 products is valued

The Value Price Program will be an ongoing in Spartan Stores' Family Fare, Felpausch, Glen's and VG's supermarkets.

For a complete list of store locations, visit online at:

Family Fare Supermarket/Quick Stop  www.familyfaresupermarkets.com

Felpausch Supermarket/Quick Stop  www.felpausch.com

Glen's Markets Supermarket/Quick Stop  www.glensmarket.com  

VG's  www.vgsfood.com

About Spartan Stores …

Spartan Stores is the nation's eleventh largest grocery distributor headquartered in Byron Center, Michigan. The corporation owns and operates 96 retail supermarkets throughout Michigan and Northern Indiana under the corporate banners of D&W Fresh Markets, Family Fare Supermarkets, Felpausch Food Centers , Glen's Markets, Glen's Fresh Marketplace, and VG's.  Spartan Stores also distributes more than 40,000 private-label and national brand products to nearly 350 independent grocery stores in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio.  

1. http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Big-Spending-Shifts-Expected-2010-Consumer-Products-According-New-AlixPartners-Survey-1095105.htm

2.  2010 Consumer Report by the National Grocers Association, SupermarketGuru.com  

SOURCE Spartan Stores

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NuGo Nutrition has proudly signed on to sponsor the Dick's Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon for the second year in a row.  As part of the sponsorship, NuGo products will be highlighted at the GNC Live Well Health and Fitness Expo and provided to each runner.  The Pittsburgh Marathon will be held on Sunday, May 2.

"As they train, runners not only require adequate calories to maintain energy, they also need the appropriate combination of carbohydrates and protein to perform optimally," says registered dietitian, Anne Marie Kuchera.  "I recommend NuGo bars as a nutritious snack to anyone interested in a healthy lifestyle, and as an ideal snack for long-distance runners."

NuGo Nutrition is the creator of seven categories of bars that make healthy snacks delicious. The bars are tailored to customers with specific nutritional needs or general interest in a healthy lifestyle.  Unique among fitness bars, NuGo does not add vegetable fat to the dark chocolate coating of its bars.  This maintains the natural health benefits of cocoa and preserves the taste and texture of real chocolate.

NuGo President David Levine sees the partnership with the Pittsburgh Marathon as a natural fit.  "Because we're headquartered in Pittsburgh, NuGo is dedicated to supporting any activities that bring awareness to a fit and nutritious lifestyle."  

About NuGo Nutrition

NuGo Nutrition's mission is to help people make better snack choices without compromising on flavor.  The fastest-growing Lifestyle Brand in the Natural Foods category, the company creates snacks without hydrogenated oils, trans fats, or waxy vegetable fat compounds.  NuGo's adherence to unadulterated and natural ingredients, like antioxidant-rich real dark chocolate, makes its bars the best tasting and healthiest option available.  NuGo is headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA with additional offices in San Francisco and New York.  

About The Dick's Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon

The Pittsburgh Marathon is a non-profit organization that promotes the love of long-distance running and enhances community involvement in fitness activities through high quality events for a wide variety of ages and abilities.  Sponsors include: Dick's Sporting Goods, UPMC Health Plan, FedEx Ground, Nike, UPMC Sports Medicine, GNC, Trib Total Media, KDKA TV, PA American Water, Rothman Gordon Attorneys, Sheetz, Dunkin Donuts, McKnight Realty Partners, Pittsburgh Volkswagen Dealers, NuGo, Verizon Wireless, Gatorade, GU, Omni Hotels William Penn, New Harvest, Shearers, Shapers, Spaghetti Warehouse, and Subway.

SOURCE Dick's Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon

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Innovative snack chip industry veterans Doug and Dave Foreman have done it again.  The Foreman brothers' Bean Brand Foods today announced the successful launch of their first snack chip, Beanitos (www.beanitos.com).  Beanitos is a nutritional powerhouse: a corn free, gluten free, low glycemic, 100% whole bean snack chip packed with Omega 3s, protein and fiber.  The taste?  Crunchy and delicious, the way a snack chip should be.  

(Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100330/DA78466-a)

(Logo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100330/DA78466LOGO-b)

After the company's January, 2010 introduction in its hometown of Austin, Texas, Beanitos hit its first major food tradeshow, Natural Products Expo West 2010, in California.  Judging from the overwhelming and enthusiastic response, the Foreman brothers appear to have once again challenged the status quo, and forced the industry to take notice.  "Supermarket Guru" and sought after industry luminary, Phil Lempert, reviewed Beanito's Pinto Bean and Flaxseed Chips, and wondered aloud, "Could these be the perfect chips?"  He anointed Beanitos, "A hit."    

Bean Brand Foods was founded with one simple mission, to develop healthy snacks based on simple, real ingredients such as beans and whole grain rice.  According to Doug Foreman, CEO of Bean Brand Foods, "The packaged foods industry has gotten a bad rap in recent years, and deservedly so.  The amount of corn and corn derivatives such as high-fructose corn syrup in most snack chips is reprehensible.  We have generations of people who continue to consume an unhealthy amount of these cheap, filler corn products.  My mission is to offer snack chip lovers a tasty alternative that fills them up with real and healthy nutritious ingredients."    

What makes Beanitos so healthy and so delicious?  

• Real ingredients.  They're made with whole beans – either black or pinto – and combined with whole grain rice or whole brown flaxseed.
• Home baked.  Whole beans are carefully sorted, washed and cooked in small batches.  The resulting "dough" is shaped and cut into round chips.  The chips are baked, and then flash fried in pure vegetable oil and dusted with sea salt.
• Nutritious calories.  Beanitos are high in fiber, which provides a satiated, "full" feeling faster than ordinary, empty calorie chips on the market.  Beanitos chips have more fiber in a single serving than many potato and corn chips provide in an entire bag!
• Magic beans.  Beans are naturally loaded with health benefits such as vitamins and minerals.  Black beans and pinto beans are also high fiber and low glycemic.  

Beanitos' black bean and pinto bean varieties are available for sale at Beanitos.com and Amazon.com.  They can also be found in a wide selection of specialty and grocery stores nationwide, including Central Market, H-E-B stores, Sendiks and select Whole Foods Market locations.  

To find out more about Beanitos chips and the superior taste and healthy snack experience, visit www.beanitos.com or join Beanitos on Faceboook at www.facebook.com/beanitos.  

About Us

Bean Brand™ Foods is dedicated to the research and development of delicious and innovative all-natural healthful food products centered on the powerfully nutritious yet humble legume.  An Austin, Texas, based company formed in 2009 by brothers, Doug and Dave Foreman.  Together, the Foreman brothers have more than 60 years of food industry expertise, primarily focused on the better-for-you and natural snacks space.

SOURCE Bean Brand Foods

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In an unprecedented call to action, Whole Foods Market, the leading natural and organic foods supermarket, is launching a nationwide effort to trigger awareness and action to remedy the problems facing the U.S. food system. The grocer hopes to inspire change by encouraging and educating consumers to take charge of their food choices.  

With a plethora of current movies and documentaries focusing on the challenges and realities of the industrialized food system, Whole Foods Market has initiated the "Let's Retake Our Plates" film series to help consumers understand how the food choices they make have an impact on health and the environment. The collection of 15 films range from the Academy Award® Nominee for Best Documentary Feature film, "Food, Inc.," to independent documentary projects such as "King Corn" and "No Impact Man." The films will be shown throughout April as part of the company's Earth Month celebration.

"Our goal is to help open people's eyes to the reality of what's going on with food in our world," said Mara Fleishman, global project leader of the "Let's Retake Our Plates" initiative. "Whole Foods Market has been committed to improving our food system for 30 years, and this is a great way to gather together to understand that every dollar spent in a grocery store is not the same. Conscious food choices can make a difference."

In April, Whole Foods Market will host more than 150 screenings in cities across the U.S. with the idea that the selected films will spark change through awareness, understanding and discussion of how today's food choices affect the environment, people's health and the future of food.

"I'm delighted that 'Food, Inc.' will be one of the films screened at Whole Foods Market's 'Let's Retake Our Plates' film fest," said the film's producer/director Robert Kenner. "I'm very proud that 'Food, Inc.' has been responsible for getting people to change the way they look at the food they eat."

Since Whole Foods Market began with a single store in 1980, the company's mission has been to sell the highest quality natural and organic foods available while supporting local growers, sustainability, community giving, animal welfare and environmental stewardship – the same issues now being brought to the forefront by filmmakers, farmers and activists concerned about the U.S. food system and its impact on the earth.

Film screenings will take place across the country. Many will offer free admission, while some will request small donations for designated local nonprofits that work to improve the environment and food supply.  Some screenings will include post-film question-and-answer sessions to encourage further discussion on the thought-provoking topics.

This year's film list includes:

• Food, Inc.
• King Corn
• Big River
• End of the Line
• Future of Food
• The Garden
• No Impact Man
• Fast Food Nation
• Food Fight
• Fresh
• What's on Your Plate?
• Tapped
• Nourish: Food + Community
• Soylent Green
• Silent Running

To learn more about these films and participate in a daily poll or to learn more about the issues, solutions and actions, visit www.letsretakeourplates.com.

About Whole Foods Market®

Founded in 1980 in Austin, Texas, Whole Foods Market (wholefoodsmarket.com, Nasdaq: WFMI), is the leading natural and organic food retailer. As America's first national certified organic grocer, Whole Foods Market was named "America's Healthiest Grocery Store" by Health magazine. The company's motto, "Whole Foods, Whole People, Whole Planet"™ captures its mission to ensure customer satisfaction and health, Team Member excellence and happiness, enhanced shareholder value, community support and environmental improvement. Thanks to the company's more than 53,000 Team Members, Whole Foods Market has been ranked as one of the "100 Best Companies to Work For" in America by FORTUNE magazine for 13 consecutive years. In fiscal year 2009, the company had sales of $8 billion and currently has more than 280 stores in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

SOURCE Whole Foods Market

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Nature's Peak / Everock, Inc. (Pink Sheets: EVRN) announced today that its Master Broker has confirmed that Whole Foods has approved the Nature's Peak product line for sale in its stores in the Mid-Atlantic region.

Paul Wilkinson, CEO of Everock / Nature's Peak, said, "This is great news for us today here at Nature's Peak. They will begin with the Basil Pesto, Chipotle Lime and Cilantro Lime VeggieDips. Their approval is a great indicator of the high quality, value and taste of the Nature's Peak VeggieDips and VeggieSpreads."

Wilkinson added, "We continue to be encouraged by our success in the trade shows and the ongoing support of our Master Broker and our Manufacturing Co-packer whom we consider key partners in our success."

"We are all very eager to continuing building on recent successes – like our acceptance into Whole Foods Market. And we're confident we have sufficient manufacturing capacity to handle the expected increased order volume and begin delivery of product to distributors in May," concluded Wilkinson.

About Everock / Nature's Peak:

Nature's Peak produces a line of all-natural gourmet vegetable dips and sandwich spreads marketed under the Nature's Peak brand.

Both VeggieDip and VeggieSpread are 100% all-natural, vegetarian, Kosher and gluten-free and contain no preservatives, artificial ingredients, trans-fats, or sugars. There are six flavors in each product line, including novel delicious flavor combinations.

Nature's Peak products are marketed through its Master Broker to natural food stores, specialty groceries as well as regional and national grocery chains. Our products will also be available to restaurants, delis and other food service providers across America.

Visit our website at www.NaturesPeak.com to learn more about our products and to discover new and delicious recipe ideas.

Forward Looking Statements:

This press release contains certain "forward-looking" statements, as defined in the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Statements, which are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements. The Company, through its management, makes forward-looking public statements concerning its expected future operations, performance and other developments. Such forward-looking statements are necessarily estimates reflecting the Company's best judgment based upon current information and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, and there can be no assurance that other factors will not affect the accuracy of such forward-looking statements. These statements are identified as any statement that does not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They use words such as "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "expects," "will," and other words and phrases of similar meaning. In all cases, a broad variety of assumptions can affect the realization of the expectations or forecasts in those statements. It is impossible to identify all such factors, factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those estimated by the Company. They include, but are not limited to, the Company's ability to develop operations, the Company's ability to consummate and complete an acquisition, the Company's access to future capital, the successful integration of acquired companies, government regulation, managing and maintaining growth, the effect of adverse publicity, litigation, competition, sales and other factors that may be identified from time to time in the Company's public announcements. Consequently, no forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Actual future results may vary materially.

This press release is provided for information purposes only and is not intended to constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy securities.

SOURCE Everock/Nature's Peak

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Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE: EAT) today estimates earnings per diluted share, before special items, of $0.41 to $0.44 for the company's third quarter ended Mar. 24, 2010 as compared to earnings per diluted share, before special items, of $0.45 for the third quarter of fiscal 2009 (reconciliation included in Table 2). On a GAAP basis, earnings per diluted share are estimated to be $0.38 to $0.41 for the third quarter of fiscal 2010 as compared to $0.34 for the third quarter of fiscal 2009. Comparable restaurant sales are estimated to decline between 3.5 to 4.5 percent for the third quarter (see Table 1). For the third quarter of fiscal 2010, special items of approximately ($0.03) per diluted share consist primarily of lease termination charges related to the company's decision in the second quarter of fiscal 2010 to close underperforming restaurants. For the third quarter of fiscal 2009, special items of ($0.11) per diluted share were primarily related to lease termination charges and severance.  

For the third quarter of fiscal 2010, earnings before special items were impacted by costs related to the rollout of the new menu at Chili's, significant weather events and lower than expected tax expense. The costs associated with implementing the new Chili's menu lowered earnings by approximately $5.0 million before tax, weather negatively impacted comparable restaurant sales by approximately 100 basis points, mostly in the month of February, and the resolution of certain tax positions resulted in a positive impact of approximately $3.0 million to tax expense. Excluding the impact of weather, the company experienced an improvement of approximately 150 basis points in March comparable restaurant sales as compared to January and February combined.

Brinker previously announced that it has entered into a purchase agreement with OTB Acquisition LLC, an affiliate of Golden Gate Capital, to sell its On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina® brand. The company expects the transaction to close by the end of fiscal 2010 and anticipates recording a gain upon completion of the transaction. Due to the pending sale, the results of On The Border will be presented as discontinued operations in the company's financial statements beginning with the third quarter fiscal 2010 Form 10-Q filing. Brinker has agreed to provide transitional corporate support services to On The Border through the end of fiscal 2011 which will generate additional fees to offset the internal cost of providing the services.    

Earnings per diluted share, before special items and On The Border, are estimated to be $0.36 to $0.39 for the third quarter of fiscal 2010 as compared to earnings per diluted share, before special items and On The Border, of $0.40 for the third quarter of fiscal 2009 (reconciliation included in Table 2). Comparable restaurant sales excluding On The Border are estimated to decline between 3.5 to 4.5 percent for the third quarter.

Fiscal 2010 Outlook

For the full-year fiscal 2010, the company estimates earnings per diluted share, before special items,  to range from a three percent decline to flat compared to fiscal 2009, or $1.40 to $1.44 as compared to $1.44 in the prior year, before special items and excluding Macaroni Grill. Current expectations of fiscal 2010 earnings per diluted share, before special items, are higher than the previous guidance of a range of $1.15 to $1.30 presented in connection with the release of the company's fourth quarter fiscal 2009 results. The revised outlook is based on a projected decrease in comparable restaurant sales of approximately one to two percent for fiscal 2010. This compares to the company's previous estimate of a decrease of two to four percent. Fiscal 2010 includes a 53rd week versus 52 weeks in fiscal 2009.

Earnings per diluted share, before special items and On The Border, are projected to range from a six to three percent decline compared to fiscal 2009, before special items and excluding On The Border and Macaroni Grill, or $1.20 to $1.24 for fiscal 2010 compared to $1.28 in the prior year. Excluding On The Border, comparable restaurant sales are expected to decline one to two percent for the fiscal year.

The company believes that providing fiscal 2010 earnings per diluted share guidance excluding other gains and charges and On The Border from its financial results provides a clearer perspective for investors into the company's ongoing operating performance.  

Capital Allocation

The company remains committed to returning capital to shareholders through the payment of quarterly dividends and ongoing share repurchases while maintaining an investment grade rating. Effective with the fourth quarter fiscal 2010 payment, the company will increase the quarterly dividend by 27 percent from $0.11 to $0.14 per share. Brinker will use a 40 percent dividend payout ratio as a guideline to provide additional return to shareholders. The fourth quarter dividend will be paid on July 1, 2010 to shareholders of record as of June 17, 2010. Brinker's Board of Directors has also authorized an additional $250 million of share repurchases, which brings the total available authorization to $310 million. Management will repurchase shares with the proceeds stemming from the On The Border divestiture as well as with excess free cash flow over time as the business results permit.

Forward Calendar

• Third quarter earnings release, prior to market open on April 20, 2010.
• Third quarter conference call, via a live webcast at 9 a.m. on April 20, 2010.
• SEC Form 10-Q for third quarter fiscal 2010 filing on or before May 3, 2010.

Forward-Looking Statements

The statements contained in this release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and, consequently, could be affected by general business and economic conditions, financial and credit market conditions, reduced disposable income, the impact of competition, the impact of mergers, acquisitions, divestitures and other strategic transactions, the seasonality of the company's business, adverse weather conditions, future commodity prices, product availability, fuel and utility costs and availability, terrorists acts, consumer perception of food safety, changes in consumer taste, health epidemics or pandemics, changes in demographic trends, availability of employees, unfavorable publicity, the company's ability to meet its growth plan, acts of God, governmental regulations, and inflation.    

About Brinker International

Brinker, International Inc. is one of the world's leading casual dining restaurant companies. Founded in 1975 and based in Dallas, Texas, Brinker currently owns, operates, or franchises 1704 restaurants under the names Chili's® Grill & Bar (1,499 restaurants), On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina® (160 restaurants) and Maggiano's Little Italy® (45 restaurants). Brinker also holds a minority investment in Romano's Macaroni Grill®.

SOURCE Brinker International, Inc.

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Poised and ready to hit retailers' shelves, VitaminSpice (OTC Bulletin Board: VTMS) (German WKN: A0YE4L) (www.VitaminSpice.net) has been selected by Source Atlantique to join their exclusive array of Specialty Food Products.

Source Atlantique, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, is the most trusted name in specialty foods importing, marketing and distribution. "We specialize in discovering the best products in every culinary category, then cultivating their strengths, and nurturing each throughout the marketplace. Our roster of artisanal brands has been carefully selected for superior quality and limitless potential – for the kitchen as well as the market and we expect an excellent response for the VitaminSpice product line," stated Joel Schuman, President, Source Atlantique.

"We are excited that Source Atlantique has selected VitaminSpice.  This single agreement provides all of the logistics, sales, marketing, and customer expertise to reach 90% of the Health Food Stores and Grocery Stores in the US and Canada.  Source has relationships with national high quality distributor and broker networks and major retailers," stated Edward Bukstel, CEO, VitaminSpice.

About VitaminSpice

VitaminSpice is uniquely positioned between the $100 billion health food/vitamin supplement industry and the multi-trillion-dollar traditional food industry. A pioneer in the emerging Foodceutical industry, VitaminSpice sells vitamin-, mineral- and antioxidant-infused spices of their own. In addition, the vitamin-infused seasonings can be combined and co-branded with virtually any conventional food on the market. VitaminSpice offerings include Crushed Red Pepper, Ground Black Pepper, Italian Seasoning, Ground Cinnamon and Granulated Garlic. A proprietary micro-encapsulation process keeps vitamin properties locked inside, even when heated, allowing the food products to retain their full flavor. In addition, several seasonings and dessert toppings have been co-branded with Iron Chef.

VitaminSpice also brings powerful business knowledge to the table with Bill Fields, former CEO of WalMart Retail, seated on the Board of Directors.

For additional news and information on VitaminSpice, contact Ed Bukstel at 484.367.7401 or visit www.vitaminspice.net

VitaminSpice Safe Harbor

This News Release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove correct.

SOURCE VitaminSpice

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Chemtura AgroSolutions™, a leading global provider of crop protection solutions, announces its new identity, structure and initiatives designed to enhance the company's ability to provide growers with innovative, value-driven crop protection products and services.

Formerly known as Chemtura Crop Protection, the company was renamed Chemtura AgroSolutions to reflect its long-term strategy, initiatives and investments that will directly support new product formulations, applications, delivery and service. The strategy and initiatives are designed to provide more solutions for business partners and customers, supporting the "AgroSolutions" name.

With new headquarters in Lawrenceville, Georgia, and the opening of a state-of-the-art Technology Development Center within the next 12 months, Chemtura AgroSolutions is better positioned than ever to serve its customers' unique needs in a wide range of high-value crop markets.

"The Chemtura crop protection business has been successful for many years and has historically experienced continual growth and record success," said Greg McDaniel, president, Chemtura AgroSolutions.

"Our latest move brings us physically closer to many of our partners, and our business plan allows us to build on past successes in ways that will better serve our distributors, dealers, cooperatives, seed companies and end users," added McDaniel.

Chemtura AgroSolutions is a global company with international operations serving four distinct regions: North America, Latin America, Asia Pacific and Europe, Middle East and Africa. The company combines expertise and proven success in global regulatory standards with the research capabilities and resources to establish new crop labels and pest control options.

"This is truly an exciting time for our company, our employees, our channel partners and our customers," said McDaniel. "The new Chemtura AgroSolutions will build on its past success with a relentless commitment to meet the ever-changing needs of the agricultural industry. This includes long-term portfolio investment for new product development, improved product availability and new options to provide growers increased profit potential," said McDaniel.

Chemtura AgroSolutions has deep roots in the agricultural chemical business that reflect more than 100 years of growth and innovation. The company's sales and technical representatives have a long history of strong field relationships with researchers, university experts, growers and distributors.

Moving forward, Chemtura AgroSolutions will continue to work in partnership with its strategic partners to establish a presence in research trials and promote product development. As a result, the company will be able to deliver more of what its customers need to grow healthy and productive crops.

Chemtura AgroSolutions is also announcing the formation of a team dedicated exclusively to uncovering industrial sales growth opportunities called the Actives Division. McDaniel said this will allow the company to take its active ingredients into markets around the world that are not currently being served.

"Expanding our reach into these new markets will ensure Chemtura AgroSolutions maximizes operational efficiency and increases economies of scale for future investments," said McDaniel. "Collectively, all of our new initiatives are designed with one purpose in mind—to provide our distributors, dealers, cooperatives and end users with outstanding value and service."

Chemtura AgroSolutions offers a comprehensive line of miticides, fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, plant growth regulators and seed treatment products that improve the quality and increase yields of specialty crops across the globe.

About Chemtura AgroSolutions

Chemtura AgroSolutions is focused on delivering improved profit potential to specialty crop growers through high-value plant health and pest control products that are backed by proven field expertise and service, as well as a commitment to expanding its portfolio of customer solutions in targeted markets around the globe. For more information about Chemtura AgroSolutions, visit www.chemturaagrosolutions.com.

© 2010 Chemtura Corporation. All rights reserved. Chemtura is a registered trademark and AgroSolutions and the AgroSolutions logo are trademarks of Chemtura Corporation.

SOURCE Chemtura AgroSolutions

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Darden Restaurants today announced that John Caron, executive vice president of marketing for Olive Garden, has been promoted into the newly created role of chief marketing officer for Darden, and that General Counsel Paula Shives will retire after nearly 11 years with the company.

(Logo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050203/FLTH026LOGO )

As chief marketing officer, Caron will report directly to Darden's chief operating officer and drive development and implementation of an integrated brand strategy across all six Darden concepts and lines of business. Darden owns and operates Red Lobster, Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse and the company's three Specialty Restaurant brands.

"We created this position with an eye toward establishing a marketing structure that enables stronger integration, greater innovation and accelerated growth across all of the Darden brands," said Drew Madsen, Darden's chief operating officer. "John has been instrumental in creating a highly distinctive brand identity and an incredibly loyal guest following at Olive Garden. I am confident that he, in partnership with the six strong marketing leaders at each of our brands, will drive superior guest experiences in compelling new ways and position us to capture greater market share in a maturing and increasingly competitive industry."

In his new role, Caron will serve as a strategic partner working across all brands to standardize best practices and capitalize on innovative brand-building opportunities. In addition, he will have oversight of consumer insights and talent management within the marketing organization.

Caron has nearly 25 years of marketing experience in the consumer packaged goods and restaurant industries. He joined Olive Garden as executive vice president of marketing in April 2003, and prior to that was vice president and general manager of beverages for Unilever-Best Foods North America with specific responsibility for the Lipton Beverages brand.

Darden also announced that General Counsel Paula Shives, who has been with Darden since May 1999, will retire this fall once her successor is chosen. A member of Darden's executive team, Paula is responsible for all legal affairs, including board governance, securities regulation, and labor and employment law. Prior to joining Darden, Paula served as senior vice president, secretary and general counsel for Long John Silver's.

"After practicing law for 30 years, Paula has expressed an understandable interest in spending more time with her family and becoming even more involved in her community," said Clarence Otis, Darden's chairman and chief executive officer. "Throughout Paula's tenure with Darden, she has provided legal guidance and counsel during a period of exceptional growth and change. On behalf of the entire company, I would like to thank Paula for her outstanding contributions. She has been a great champion of diversity and has served as a powerful role model for other women in our company. We will miss her and wish her well."  

About Darden Restaurants

Darden Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE: DRI), the world's largest full-service restaurant company, owns and operates 1,800 restaurants that generate more than $7 billion in annual sales. Headquartered in Orlando, and employing approximately 180,000 people, Darden is recognized for a culture that rewards caring for and responding to people. Our restaurant brands – Red Lobster, Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, The Capital Grille, Bahama Breeze and Seasons 52 – reflect the rich diversity of those who dine with us. Our brands are built on deep insights into what our guests want. For more information, please visit www.darden.com.

SOURCE Darden Restaurants, Inc.: General

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The Hain Celestial Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: HAIN), a leading natural and organic products company in North America and Europe providing consumers with "A Healthy Way of Life™" today announced its sponsorship of season five of the Everyday Food television series on PBS, a WETA Presentation. Airing weekly (check local listings), the half-hour television series features recipes from Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia's Everyday Food magazine and offers simple, delicious and healthy solutions to the challenge of preparing everyday meals in 30 minutes or less. WETA is the flagship public broadcasting station (PBS) in the nation's capital.  

(Logo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050324/NYTH131 )

Funding for Everyday Food's fifth season, which will air throughout the year, has been provided in part by Hain Celestial through its Imagine® Natural Creations line of natural and organic broth, soup, stock and gravy products, Arrowhead Mills® line of flours, grains and baking mixes, and Spectrum Organics® natural and organic culinary oils, vinegars, condiments and butter substitutes.  Hain Celestial has also lent expertise from its own culinary and research and development teams, which have helped consumers to enjoy natural and organic foods and beverages for over fifteen years.

"Expanding upon our successful partnership with Sesame Workshop and its 'Healthy Habits for Life Initiative™' and PBS Kids in support of Sesame Street and public television, we're proud to extend our outreach through PBS by sponsoring Everyday Food," said Irwin Simon, President and Chief Executive of Hain Celestial.  "With healthcare on everyone's minds these days, healthful eating is important to all of us.  We have delicious meal solutions that even kids will enjoy from our portfolio of natural and organic products including Arrowhead Mills(® flours and mixes, Imagine® soup, Spectrum Organics® SunSpire® chocolate, and Hain Pure Foods® products."  

The Hain Celestial Group

The Hain Celestial Group (NASDAQ: HAIN), headquartered in Melville, NY, is a leading natural and organic products company in North America and Europe. Hain Celestial participates in many natural categories with well-known brands that include Celestial Seasonings®, Earth's Best®, Terra®, Garden of Eatin'®, Health Valley®, Arrowhead Mills®, MaraNatha®, SunSpire®, DeBoles®, Gluten Free Cafe™, Hain Pure Foods®, Hollywood®, Spectrum Naturals®, Spectrum Essentials®, Walnut Acres Organic®, Imagine®, Almond Dream®, Rice Dream®, Soy Dream®, Rosetto®, Ethnic Gourmet®, WestSoy®, Yves Veggie Cuisine®, Granose®, Realeat®, Linda McCartney®, Daily Bread™, Lima®, Grains Noirs®, Natumi®, JASON®, Zia® Natural Skincare, Avalon Organics®, Alba Botanica®, Queen Helene®, Tushies®, TenderCare® and Martha Stewart Clean™. Hain Celestial has been providing "A Healthy Way of Life™" since 1993. For more information, visit www.hain-celestial.com.

SOURCE The Hain Celestial Group, Inc.

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Burger King Corp. (NYSE: BKC) brings its first-ever BK® NEXT BEST MOVE (SM) national mobile tour to the Chattanooga area on April 6, 2010, to find "game-changers" both on the basketball court and in the community.  Local ballers can show off their best moves for a chance to compete for $10,000 and to be featured in a basketball lifestyle magazine and Web site. Individuals can also submit a video of their moves on www.thenextbestmove.com.  

"NEXT BEST MOVE (SM) is the biggest tour in the history of the BURGER KING® brand," said Brian Gies, vice president, marketing impact, Burger King Corp. "With this tour, we're providing consumers with broad-based access to what's happening not just on the court, but also in urban communities across the U.S. We also recognize the importance of giving back, and we will showcase 'game-changing' community service initiatives in each city we visit on the NEXT BEST MOVE (SM) Web site (www.thenextbestmove.com). Visitors to the site will have the chance to get a new, fresh perspective on a variety of charitable community efforts that they can adapt and implement in their hometowns."

Chattanooga residents can vote for their favorite moves on the Web site and one semi-finalist in each market will go on to compete against top-ranked players across the U.S. for the top $10,000 prize. Participants must be 18 or older to compete.  

Headlined by reality TV star Syrus Yarborough, The NEXT BEST MOVE (SM) Crew will also be searching for great moves off the court. Visitors to www.thenextbestmove.com can share how they are "changing the game" through community service and encouraging others to do the same.

City residents should be on the lookout as The Crew will also visit lifestyle destinations, such as local attractions, clothing stores and community centers to identify local trends and discover what's "hot" in the Chattanooga area. Results will be featured on a special culture section on www.thenextbestmove.com.

For more information on the BK® NEXT BEST MOVE (SM) tour, including eligibility requirements and Official Rules, or to vote for Chattanooga's Next Best Mover, visit www.thenextbestmove.com.

SOURCE Burger King Corp.

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9 Group, renowned for unparalleled dining, nightlife and lifestyle experiences, presents a provocative and innovative dayclub affair known as High Society at Nove Italiano, premiering 1 p.m. Sunday, April 11.  Creating a posh atmosphere filled with life's little luxuries in the middle of the afternoon, High Society offers partygoers a place to mix and mingle among Las Vegas' nobility while indulging in high-end libations, decadent brunch and vivacious entertainment.  

(Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100326/LA77144)

"We are excited to present High Society to Las Vegas and the world," says managing member and co-founder of 9 Group, Michael Morton.  "As pioneers in the nightlife and dining industry, 9 Group is committed to always raising the bar by inspiring new ways to entertain. Every element of High Society is crafted to cultivate a particular ambiance and environment, and I know that our patrons, both old and new, are really going to appreciate it."  

Upon entering, Nove Italiano will envelope guests in a complete sensory experience – from sophisticated interior decor, to aromatic food and thirst-quenching beverages, to the incomparable energy created by resident DJs Zen Freeman and Mark Stylz spinning on the turntables.  Atop the Palm's sky-scraping 51st floor, Nove Italiano's guests will indulge in some of the city's most spectacular views, and enjoy ever-changing exuberant entertainment, including roaming live musicians and a live painter offering complimentary tableside guest portraits.

A sumptuous feast set out on parade, the brunch menu at High Society combines rich tastes and traditional favorites at various stations including the salad, fresh fruits and fish stations, as well as a build your own frittatas station. Fare also includes warm items on the griddle or hot plate such as Italian sausage and pepper hash, crispy pancetta and chicken apple sausage, a variety of poached eggs served with crab cake, spinach and bearnaise sauce, pancetta, ciabatta, drizzled with a Hollandaise sauce or long cooked greens mixed with a fontina cheese and fonduta. Other warm items include a variety of pizzas and Panini sandwiches. Guests can pair brunch with $99 bottles of champagne and half bottles of spirits.

High Society will start at 1 p.m. every Sunday at Nove Italiano. The buffet brunch is $30 per person. Guests must be 21 years of age or older to attend. Admission is free and table reservations are strongly recommended. For more information, VIP tables and bottle reservations, visit novelasvegas.com or call 702.942.6800.

Nove Italiano is open for dinner Monday through Thursday from 5:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 5:30 p.m. – 11 p.m.  For additional information, please visit www.novelasvegas.com or call 702.942.6800.

About 9 Group

9 Group is a partnership between pioneering entertainment entrepreneurs Michael Morton and Scott DeGraff. Today, 9 Group operates a total of 10 venues nationwide: seven Las Vegas venues, including N9NE Steakhouse, Nove Italiano, Rain Nightclub, ghostbar, Moon Nightclub, Playboy Club and Palms Pool & Bungalows; two Chicago venues, including N9NE Steakhouse and ghostbar; and ghostbar in Dallas.  For additional information, visit www.n9negroup.com.

SOURCE 9 Group

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Zhongpin Inc. ("Zhongpin" or the "Company", Nasdaq: HOGS), a leading meat and food processing company in the People's Republic of China ("China"), reported today that the Science & Technology Department of Henan Province in China has designated Zhongpin's scientific laboratory for food quality and processing as a Key Laboratory. The designation means that the laboratory is now approved by Henan's Science & Technology Department as a Key Laboratory for meat production processing and quality assurance. This Key Laboratory was created in collaboration with Henan Agricultural University.

The designation of the Key Laboratory is another important achievement for Zhongpin, especially for the Company's quality assurance system that is applied to food production. The government's recognition has resulted from Zhongpin's aggressive investments and vigorous actions to provide the highest quality and safety of its products to its customers -- from farm to fork.

The designs and processes used in this Key Laboratory are at the forefront of the industry and are based on the world's leading research, development, process engineering, quality assurance, and information technology for food processing. The laboratory is equipped with the most modern scientific instruments and integrated systems from North America and Asia and uses the most stringent testing and measurement processes.

In addition to its focus on scientific testing to validate product quality assurance and production processes, this Key Laboratory also has the mission to study three topics to advance the Company's and the industry's scientific knowledge and food processing practices: the factors and mechanisms that influence meat quality, emerging new processing engineering and quality assurance technologies that could improve food safety and quality even further, and scientific factors that influence product competitiveness in the market.

The designation as the Key Laboratory is expected to result in a steady flow of outstanding scientists and engineers who seek to work with Zhongpin, to enhance the Company's research and development capabilities, to accelerate the Company's product and process improvements and new product innovations, and to serve as an exchange platform for technical cooperation with universities, technical institutes, and food processors in China and around the world.

About Zhongpin

Zhongpin Inc. is a meat and food processing company that specializes in pork and pork products, vegetables, and fruits in China. Its distribution network in the China covers 20 provinces plus Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, and Chongqing and includes more than 3,000 retail outlets. Zhongpin's export markets include the European Union and Southeast Asia. For more information about Zhongpin, please visit Zhongpin's website at http://www.zpfood.com .

Safe harbor statement

Certain statements in this news release may be forward-looking statements made under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Zhongpin has based its forward-looking statements largely on its current expectations and projections about future events and trends that it believes may affect its business strategy, results of operations, financial condition, and financing needs.

These projections involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, which may include but are not limited to such factors as downturns in the Chinese economy, unanticipated changes in product demand, any effect from the A(H1N1) virus on Zhongpin's market or sales, interruptions in the supply of live pigs and or raw pork, poor performance of the retail distribution network, delivery delays, freezer facility malfunctions, Zhongpin's ability to build and commence new production facilities according to intended timelines, the ability to prepare Zhongpin for growth, the ability to predict Zhongpin's future financial performance and financing ability, changes in regulations, and other information detailed in Zhongpin's filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

You are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating Zhongpin's forward-looking statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on those forward-looking statements, which are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. All information provided in this news release is as of the date of this release. Zhongpin does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

    For more information, please contact:

    Zhongpin Inc.
     Mr. Sterling Song (English and Chinese)
     Investor Relations Manager
     Tel:   +86-10-8286-1788 ext. 101 in Beijing
     Email: ir@zhongpin.com

     Mr. Warren (Feng) Wang (English and Chinese)
     Chief Financial Officer
     Tel:   +86-10-8286-1788 ext. 104 in Beijing
     Email: warren.wang@zhongpin.com

    Christensen
     Mr. Yuanyuan Chen (English and Chinese)
     Mobile: +86-139-2337-7882 in Beijing
     Email:  ychen@christensenir.com

     Mr. Tom Myers (English)
     Mobile: +86-139-1141-3520 in Beijing
     Email:  tmyers@christensenir.com

     Ms. Kathy Li (English and Chinese)
     Tel:   +1-212-618-1978 in the USA
     Email: kli@christensenir.com

SOURCE Zhongpin Inc.

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Choosing your family's food wisely means paying attention to more than cost. Savvy shoppers look beyond price, because purchasing quality products helps encourage healthy eating habits, regardless of the grocery store receipt. Have you ever wondered how your strawberries are grown? Or which garlic provides the best flavor and why?

AndNowUKnow.com, a Davis, California-based video news website, is empowering consumers with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions about the food we eat through their online video news segment, Behind the Greens.

"We believe knowledge is power," says AndNowUKnow.com Producer Whit Grebitus, "and the goal with Behind the Greens is to connect growers to consumers by demystifying the food we eat."

Currently, there are few outlets helping parents learn the stories behind where produce really comes from. AndNowUKnow.com hopes to bridge that gap and encourage a wiser, more satisfying shopping experience.

Behind the Greens explores the life cycle of your favorite produce from growing and harvesting to cleaning and shipping in quick, 90-second videos.

As a subscription-free news source, AndNowUKnow.com merges new media with education and provides parents with unrestricted access to the information they need. In less time than it takes to find reliable answers online, these free news segments both tell — and show — the true story behind leading products.

The informative video segments also enable parents to see first hand the operations behind major produce brands, such as Green Giant and Christopher Ranch.

"Today's shopping experience is all about the consumer," continues Grebitus. "More and more people are turning to the internet to find information on their favorite products before they buy. By sharing information about the food we eat, we are helping parents make informed purchases and pass down a lifestyle of smarter shopping in their children."

About AndNowUKnow.com

http://AndNowUKnow.com is a video news website and leading information source for the produce industry.

    
    
    Media Contact
    Whit Grebitus, Producer
    530-759-2004
    whit@andnowuknow.com

SOURCE AndNowUKnow.com

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Chemtura AgroSolutions™, a leading global provider of crop protection solutions, announces its new identity, structure and initiatives designed to enhance the company's ability to provide growers with innovative, value-driven crop protection products and services.

Formerly known as Chemtura Crop Protection, the company was renamed Chemtura AgroSolutions to reflect its long-term strategy, initiatives and investments that will directly support new product formulations, applications, delivery and service. The strategy and initiatives are designed to provide more solutions for business partners and customers, supporting the "AgroSolutions" name.

With new headquarters in Lawrenceville, Georgia, and the opening of a state-of-the-art Technology Development Center within the next 12 months, Chemtura AgroSolutions is better positioned than ever to serve its customers' unique needs in a wide range of high-value crop markets.

"The Chemtura crop protection business has been successful for many years and has historically experienced continual growth and record success," said Greg McDaniel, president, Chemtura AgroSolutions.

"Our latest move brings us physically closer to many of our partners, and our business plan allows us to build on past successes in ways that will better serve our distributors, dealers, cooperatives, seed companies and end users," added McDaniel.

Chemtura AgroSolutions is a global company with international operations serving four distinct regions: North America, Latin America, Asia Pacific and Europe, Middle East and Africa. The company combines expertise and proven success in global regulatory standards with the research capabilities and resources to establish new crop labels and pest control options.

"This is truly an exciting time for our company, our employees, our channel partners and our customers," said McDaniel. "The new Chemtura AgroSolutions will build on its past success with a relentless commitment to meet the ever-changing needs of the agricultural industry. This includes long-term portfolio investment for new product development, improved product availability and new options to provide growers increased profit potential," said McDaniel.

Chemtura AgroSolutions has deep roots in the agricultural chemical business that reflect more than 100 years of growth and innovation. The company's sales and technical representatives have a long history of strong field relationships with researchers, university experts, growers and distributors.

Moving forward, Chemtura AgroSolutions will continue to work in partnership with its strategic partners to establish a presence in research trials and promote product development. As a result, the company will be able to deliver more of what its customers need to grow healthy and productive crops.

Chemtura AgroSolutions is also announcing the formation of a team dedicated exclusively to uncovering industrial sales growth opportunities called the Actives Division. McDaniel said this will allow the company to take its active ingredients into markets around the world that are not currently being served.

"Expanding our reach into these new markets will ensure Chemtura AgroSolutions maximizes operational efficiency and increases economies of scale for future investments," said McDaniel. "Collectively, all of our new initiatives are designed with one purpose in mind—to provide our distributors, dealers, cooperatives and end users with outstanding value and service."

Chemtura AgroSolutions offers a comprehensive line of miticides, fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, plant growth regulators and seed treatment products that improve the quality and increase yields of specialty crops across the globe.

About Chemtura AgroSolutions

Chemtura AgroSolutions is focused on delivering improved profit potential to specialty crop growers through high-value plant health and pest control products that are backed by proven field expertise and service, as well as a commitment to expanding its portfolio of customer solutions in targeted markets around the globe. For more information about Chemtura AgroSolutions, visit www.chemturaagrosolutions.com.

© 2010 Chemtura Corporation. All rights reserved. Chemtura is a registered trademark and AgroSolutions and the AgroSolutions logo are trademarks of Chemtura Corporation.

SOURCE Chemtura AgroSolutions

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In recent years, the options for weight loss products and services have greatly expanded. The National Center for Health Statistics reported that more than 34% of Americans are currently considered obese. As a result of these dramatic statistics, more people are turning towards creative solutions to help them to achieve their weight loss goals. Dieters are now looking for newer, more health-conscious solutions as opposed to older dieting plans that often use outdated strategies. Bistro MD offers doctor-designed, chef-prepared gourmet meals. This company allows customers to choose meal plans, customize their orders, and then have fresh foods delivered to their door. More information about Bistro MD's affordable diet delivery plans can be found at http://www.bistromd.com.  

Whereas conventional diet delivery services offer meals in packaging kept shelf-stable through the use of chemicals and preservatives, services like Bistro MD offer real food freshly made by chefs and delivered frozen. This means that more of the meals retain freshness as well as important nutrients. Because leading-edge diet companies like Bistro MD deliver to people's doors, customers save time and energy that would have otherwise been spent shopping, cooking and cleaning. Clients include actresses and models as well as professional women and mothers who are motivated to make sure their children are getting proper nutrition and eating the right amount of calories. Dick Bruno, The Chief Operating Officer at Bistro MD, recently spoke as to why other diet delivery services are attracting fewer members, while companies like Bistro MD are gaining quickly in popularity. Bruno stated, "We are serving a larger and larger market. Our clients are not only concerned about weight loss, but overall health and wellness too."

Due to its place at the forefront of the upscale food market, Bistro MD has been receiving a great deal of press attention. This service has been consistently featured on news shows and television programs including NBC's The Biggest Loser, Dr. Phil and The Doctors. In fact, Bistro MD is the official provider of the Biggest Loser Meal Plan, which is offered to both viewers as well as eliminated contestants. In a recent episode of his show, Dr. Phil called Bistro MD "the best home meal delivery program."

About Bistro MD:

Bistro MD is a gourmet diet food delivery service that ships fully cooked doctor-designed, chef-prepared meals directly to your door. The founder of the company is a medical doctor who specializes in weight management. Bistro MD provides 3 meals and 2 snacks a day, a weekly information system, and access to a team of dieticians. All meals are delivered frozen and prepared using cutting-edge food preparation techniques to assure an optimal balance of preparation, convenience, correct nutrient content, and peak dining enjoyment. More information about Bistro MD's affordable dining plans can be found at http://www.bistromd.com or by calling 239-514-0700.  

    
    
    Contact Person: 
    
    Mary Mayville
    Phone Number: 239-514-0700
    Email Address: Mary@BistroMD.com 

This release was issued through eReleases(TM).  For more information, visit http://www.ereleases.com.

SOURCE Bistro MD

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Feeding America and its network of more than 200 food banks across the country applaud today's approval of a child nutrition reauthorization bill by the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry as a step forward in achieving an end to childhood hunger by 2015.  The Child Nutrition Reauthorization bill reported by the Committee has the potential to increase access to nutritious food for children during the school day, after school, in the summer, over weekends and extended school holidays.

Feeding America thanks the members of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry on both sides of the aisle who voted to advance this critical piece of legislation. Feeding America also commends the leaders of the Senate Agriculture Committee -- Chairman Blanche Lincoln, (D-Ark.) and Ranking Member Saxby Chambliss, (R-Ga.) –for their stated commitment to finding more ways to fund other critically important improvements to this legislation that will help to end child hunger in this nation. 

"This represents a very important and positive step forward in the fight to end child hunger," said Vicki Escarra, president and CEO, Feeding America. "We are pleased that the legislation includes several of the priorities needed to increase access to nutritious food for low-income children.   We hope that in the coming weeks more funding will be found to meet President Obama's budget request for this legislation and the goal of ensuring that all our nation's children have access to safe and nutritious foods.  We will continue to work with members of the Senate in the coming weeks to promote support for additional funds in order to realize the full potential of the Child Nutrition Law." 

The child nutrition reauthorization approved by the Members of the Senate Agriculture Committee responds to an increasingly prevalent crisis.  According to the latest United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) data, nearly 1 in 4 children across the country are at risk of hunger.  Feeding America's recent study, Hunger in America 2010, reports that its network of food banks and the agencies they serve provide emergency food assistance to 37 million people each year, including 14 million children.  The 2010 study also reveals that many of the people turning to the network for help are households with children.  

In the summer of 2009, the United States Department of Agriculture's Summer Food Service Program only reached 2.2. million children. This compared to 19 million low-income children receiving free or reduced price school lunches during the school year.    

"Too many hungry children are not being reached by our current child nutrition programs.  It is an outrage that nearly one in four children in this nation live on the brink of hunger,"  said Escarra.   "While school feeding programs play an essential role in providing nutritious meals during the school day, too many low-income children find themselves without access to nourishing food when school is out.  It is vitally important that we increase access to nutritious meals during these out of school times, such as after-school, during the summer and over weekends and extended school holidays.   

"We can only achieve a prosperous future for all Americans if we ensure, right now, that all children have access to enough nutritious food for active, healthy lives. Our nation and our children cannot afford to wait any longer to make this happen.  

"Feeding America urges the full Senate to approve a comprehensive and fully funded  Child Nutrition reauthorization bill, and requests the House to take up this legislation quickly so that our children and families don't have to wait another year to have access to the nutritious foods needed to lead healthy and productive lives."

About Feeding America

Feeding America provides low-income individuals and families with the fuel to survive and even thrive. As the nation's leading domestic hunger-relief charity, our network members supply food to more than 37 million Americans each year, including 14 million children and 3 million seniors. Serving the entire United States, more than 200 member food banks support 63,000 agencies that address hunger in all of its forms. For more information on how you can fight hunger in your community and across the country, visit http://www.feedingamerica.org. Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/FeedingAmerica or follow our news on Twitter at twitter.com/FeedingAmerica.

SOURCE Feeding America

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Spring has officially begun and with it comes a bounty of the delicious foods of the season. Perhaps the most iconic foods are tied to the springtime holidays of Easter and Passover, when families across the country come together for memorable meals and special, homemade treats.

Hot cross buns are a favorite baked good of Easter that were historically served on Good Friday. The sweet spiced buns are traditionally studded with California raisins and adorned with a cross of icing on top, making them an unmistakable Easter goodie. Passover requires the absence of leavening agents from the diet, resulting in traditional recipes that contain no yeast or fermented grains. For Passover, a mouth-watering puffed pancake can be prepared in the oven with the use of matzo meal rather than flour and the delicious flavor combination of orange marmalade and California raisins.

While culinary traditions for both Easter and Passover abound, each includes gatherings of family and friends around the table. Celebrate this year with these recipes for Quick and Easy Honey-Wheat Hot Cross Buns and Orange-Raisin Puffed Oven Pancake developed by the California Raisin Marketing Board. For additional recipes with California raisins, visit www.LoveYourRaisins.com.

About the California Raisin Marketing Board

A State Marketing Order in 1998 created the California Raisin Marketing Board and it is 100 percent grower funded. Its mission is to support and promote the increased use of California-grown raisins and sponsor crop production, nutrition and market research.  For more information about the California Raisin Marketing Board and to browse delicious recipes, visit www.LoveYourRaisins.com.

SOURCE California Raisin Marketing Board

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Nestle® Pure Life®, the nation's leading bottled water brand, today announced its new four-year partnership with Keep America Beautiful® (KAB) and national sponsorship of the 2010 Great American Cleanup^™. The Great American Cleanup, Keep America Beautiful's signature cause marketing event, is the nation's largest community improvement and beautification program.  The Nestle Pure Life partnership with KAB will run through 2013.

"Nestle Pure Life bottled water has a long tradition of striving to keep families and their communities healthy," said Rick Tanner, vice president, marketing, Nestle Waters North America.  "Not only is water one of the healthiest beverage choices, but every Nestle Pure Life bottle is recyclable, and we continue to innovate and reduce the amount of plastic in our bottles," he added.  "We are proud to support Keep America Beautiful as part of our shared mission in creating healthier communities."

The Nestle Pure Life partnership with the Great American Cleanup will focus on increasing recycling rates nationwide through a new recycling awards program.  Nestle Pure Life will award a total of $25,000 to KAB for distribution to the top 25 KAB affiliates collecting the most PET bottles per capita during the 2010 cleanup events.  

From March through May, roughly 1,200 KAB affiliates and Great American Cleanup participating organizations nationwide will rally an estimated 3 million volunteers to hold community improvement events -- ranging from hosting recycling drives and removing graffiti to planting trees and community gardens to cleanups on public lands and waterways -- designed to create cleaner, healthier communities.  Nestle Pure Life will also be providing bottled water to volunteers.

"Keep America Beautiful is thrilled to partner with Nestle Pure Life bottled water," said Matthew McKenna, president and CEO of Keep America Beautiful.  "Together, we can engage individuals nationwide to take greater responsibility for improving their community's environment."

In 2009, volunteers in 32,000 communities took part in Great American Cleanup events, collecting the following:

• 64 million pounds of litter and debris, much of which was recycled;
• More than 243 million plastic (PET) bottles and 6.9 million pounds of electronics;
• 14.5 million pounds of aluminum and steel; and
• 36 million pounds of newspaper .

A full list of results can be found online at kab.org/GAC_2009Results.

The two upcoming national kickoff events slated for 2010 include:

• Pass Christian, Miss.: Saturday, March 27, 2010
• New York, N.Y.: Thursday, April 22, 2010

Nestle Waters North America is committed to increasing recycling rates throughout the United States.  In fact, the company's Next-Generation Eco-Shape® bottle is among the lightest half-liter bottles available across the entire packaged beverage industry.  In addition to reducing packaging materials, Nestle Waters is also committed to helping increase the U.S. recycling rate of plastic beverage bottles from 25 percent to 60 percent by 2018.  

For more information on upcoming Great American Cleanup events, visit kab.org.  For more information on Nestle® Pure Life® bottled water, please visit www.nestle-purelife.us.

About Nestle® Pure Life®:

Nestle® Pure Life® Purified Water is a brand of the leading bottled water manufacturer, Nestle Waters North America, based in Greenwich, Connecticut.  Nestle® Pure Life® goes through a multi-step filtration process and is enhanced with a unique blend of minerals, offering a pleasant, refreshing taste suitable for the whole family.  Nestle® Pure Life® bottled water offers a number of healthy hydration options and is committed to helping families live healthy, active lifestyles.

About Nestle Waters North America:

Central to the leadership of Nestle Waters North America Inc. is its 34-year history and single-focus on producing bottled water products. The company's dedication to product quality, manufacturing expertise, efficient production, employee development and environmental stewardship, especially in the areas of water use, energy and packaging, has helped Nestle Waters become the number one bottled water company in the U.S. To reach success, the company follows its credo: Respect for each other, respect for the environment, and respect for the community. To learn more, visit www.nestlewatersnorthamerica.com.

About Keep America Beautiful, Inc.

Keep America Beautiful, Inc., established in 1953, is the nation's largest volunteer-based community action and education organization. This national nonprofit forms public-private partnerships and programs that engage individuals to take greater responsibility for improving their community environments. Its signature program, the Great American Cleanup is one of many initiatives that encourage people to care for communities through volunteer participation.  To join the Great American Cleanup and let green start with you, visit www.kab.org

SOURCE Nestle Waters North America

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Consumers in search of the latest healthy snacking solution from thinkproducts can now find it on the shelves of many stores nationwide. In March, retailers began carrying new 100-calorie thinkThin Bites, great for people with active lifestyles or those just looking for a delicious, healthy "bite."   thinkThin Bites are available in three delicious flavors — Cookies and Cream, White Chocolate Flavored Raspberry and Chocolate Toffee Nut — and are fortified with 17 Essential Vitamins & Minerals.

thinkproducts founder and CEO, Lizanne Falsetto developed thinkThin bites as a solution for consumers with busy lifestyles who need a quick snack without having time for a regular meal or the best-selling thinkThin meal replacement bar.

"Many consumers have told us they were enjoying half of a thinkThin bar before and after workouts, during hikes and in between meals. I realized that a low-calorie, snack-size bar was the perfect solution to satisfy their on-the-go cravings in a healthy, natural way," said Falsetto.  

A box of five thinkThin bites retails for $4.99 to $5.89. Consumers who wish to purchase larger quantities can shop at www.thinkproducts.com.  thinkThin products are sold in a wide range of specialty stores, grocery stores and drug stores across the country.  A complete list can be found on their website.

About thinkproducts

thinkproducts is the leading all-natural weight management brand sold nationwide. Its premier product, the thinkThin bar, is the only all-natural, high-protein bar on the market that contains 0g of sugar and is gluten-free.  The company's newer products -- thinkThin dessert bars and 100-calorie thinkThin bites – were created with those same healthy weight management benefits in mind. thinkproducts is dedicated to spreading awareness about the advantages of a healthy lifestyle. Through their philanthropic division thinkPrevention, the company continues to donate funds in support of those organizations that are committed to research and education for Diabetes, Cancer, Childhood Obesity and Celiac Disease. For more information, please visit www.thinkproducts.com.

SOURCE thinkproducts

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http://www.thinkproducts.com

The Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) plans to teach restaurants, restaurateurs, chefs and foodservice professionals how implementing a specialty coffee menu leads to increased customer loyalty, distinction from competitors and the potential for increased price points. At its 22nd Annual Exposition & Symposium, SCAA offers a new culinary-focused educational track, plus hundreds of other coffee-enlightening opportunities through its exhibit, sessions and workshops. The Exposition runs from April 15 to April 18 at the Anaheim Convention Center, and the Culinary Track takes place on the last day of the event from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. SCAA is the world's coffee authority and largest coffee trade association.

(Logo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100211/NY53618LOGO )

SCAA's Culinary Track is specifically designed to cater to the needs of gastronomic professionals, to guide them towards creating an exceptional specialty coffee menu or perfecting their existing beverage programs. Featuring cutting-edge specialty coffee intelligence, the Culinary Track specifically demonstrates how specialty coffee and properly brewed coffee can attract higher sales and enhance the overall dining experience. Registration is now open at www.scaaexposition.org. Tickets are available for $75.

In the session "Creating Successful Specialty Coffee Programs in Food Service & Fine Dining," attendees learn how to create innovative coffee programs built from specialty coffee standards. During "Successfully Implementing a Golden Cup Award Standard Coffee Program in Your Foodservice Operation," participants discover how to tap into your existing customer base, reinforce loyalty and encourage repeat visits by providing a coffee experience based in excellence. Presenters respond to: What is the cost of not serving a good cup of coffee? With a "farm to fork" and "seed to cup" mindset, SCAA's Culinary Track delegates find out about sustainable practices, featuring a representative from Bon Appetit Magazine.

The program concludes with OC Life magazine's Executive Food Editor and Chef Anahita Naderi, preparing some delectable menu items made with coffee, as well as Imbibe magazine's Jen Boelts, demonstrating expert preparation of coffee cocktails in their presentation "Mixology & Coffee as an Ingredient."

"Coffee can certainly stand out on any restaurant menu," says Chef Naderi. "From unique main course and dessert pairings to an actual ingredient in your cuisine, coffee can inspire a restaurant's creativity and elevate the dining experience to a whole different level."

Boelts says, "Coffee cocktails can also take the spotlight at a restaurant. With innovative coffee-based drinks, featuring artisanal spirits and fresh ingredients, your patrons' palates will surely be surprised and your receipts will justify the new menu additions."

Wrapping up the series, Culinary Track attendees take a strategic tour of the SCAA Exposition floor, focusing on the specific vendors with the products and knowledge to service all sizes of restaurants and hospitality chains.

Complete conference details are available at www.scaaexposition.org. Questions? Call 562-624-4100 or e-mail info@scaa.org.

SCAA's Culinary Track is just one of the many highlights at its 22nd Annual Exposition & Symposium. The event also includes the Coffees of the Year Competition, the United States Barista Championship, a keynote presentation by distinguished entrepreneur Arianna Huffington, and an extensive show floor. SCAA's Expo includes: green and roasted specialty coffee, espresso machines and grinders, roasting equipment, commercial and home brewing machines, coffee drinks and mixes, flavorings and syrups, chocolate and cocoa products, baked goods, confections and significantly more. Badges for the show, starting at $45 for a one day pass, are available online at www.scaaexposition.org.

SCAA 2010 Expo Sponsors
SCAA's 2010 Exposition official host partner sponsors include: Wilbur Curtis (www.wilburcurtis.com), F. Gavina & Sons (www.gavina.com) and Fres-co System USA, Inc. (www.fresco.com). At the Expo, SCAA's 2010 Portrait Country is Guatemala (www.guatemalancoffees.com). Platinum Sponsors are: DaVinci Gourmet (www.davincigourmet.com), Jet (www.jetsmoothies.com) and Oregon Chai (www.sellchai.com). The Gold Sponsors are: Diedrich Manufacturing (www.diedrichroasters.com), Fetco (www.fetco.com), Georgia Pacific Food Services Solutions (www.dixiefoodservice.com), MONIN (www.monin.com), Roast Magazine (www.roastmagazine.com) and Probat Burns (www.probatburns.com).

About SCAA

For more than a quarter of a century, the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) has offered its members education, training, resources and business services. It is the world's largest coffee trade association, with members representing more than 40 countries and every segment of the specialty coffee industry, from growers to roasters and retailers. The SCAA has also been at the forefront of developing and promoting specialty coffee, and is committed to meeting the challenges of a rapidly changing industry by setting and maintaining standards, expanding professional certification programs, conducting industry-specific research, and providing even more opportunities to connect, exchange, and work together so our industry continues to thrive.

SOURCE Specialty Coffee Association of America

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http://www.scaaexposition.org

Tahitian Noni International (TNI) announced the introduction of Tahitian Noni® Pure™ – a new, concentrated version of our bioactive beverages that is stripped down to nothing but powerful noni iridoids and bioactive compounds that support the heart, joints, immune system, and more. When used as a mixer, Tahitian Noni Pure adds a healthy iridoid boost to shakes, smoothies, or any desired food or drink.

Age, stress, and extreme physical activity take a toll on the body. Tahitian Noni Pure delivers a concentrated blend that provides 72 mg of noni and noni tea leaf iridoids per 60 mL serving. It has more than 150 nutrients including vitamins, minerals, phytosterols, alkaloids, enzymes, and antioxidants that make it a powerful adaptogen. Adaptogens take a personalized approach to safely benefit the health and function of the body's systems, helping living things maintain a natural, healthy balance.

Tahitian Noni Pure is available in 750 mL aluminum bottles or in convenient, easy-to-carry 15 mL pouches.

"Tahitian Noni Pure is a new, concentrated product that can be added to any of your favorite drinks, making them into bioactive beverages," stated Jeff Wasden, vice president of Global Marketing for Tahitian Noni International. "Now you can have the bioactive goodness of noni in any drink you'd like."

About the Company

Tahitian Noni International is a global, research-driven bioactive products company that was the first to introduce the health benefits of the noni plant — a bioactive-rich, adaptogenic plant, containing iridoid compounds — to the world outside of Tahiti. Tahitian Noni International is the leader in the discovery, development, manufacturing, and marketing of noni-based bioactive products including beverages, beauty, and weight loss lines. Headquartered in Provo, Utah, Tahitian Noni International has a presence in over 70 markets around the world, and is the worldwide leader in bioactive beverages.

SOURCE Tahitian Noni International

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http://www.tahitiannoni.com

Fruitology, Inc., developers of healthy, superfruit-based beverages, supplements, and skincare had the great pleasure of introducing their Braz A Vie 90% Pure Acai liquid supplement to some of the biggest Academy Award winners of the evening at the Secret Room Academy Awards Style Lounge event at the InterContinental Hotel on March 6, 2010.  The hotel, located adjacent to the famous Sony Picture Studios and right in the heart of where it all happens, was the place to be as an extensive list of A-list superstars got themselves "red carpet ready."

Academy Award nominees and other top celebrities were treated to swag bags filled with exclusive items such as Fruitology's healthy, nutritious Acai supplement.  The Academy Awards style Lounge benefited City of Hope, a leading research and treatment center for cancer, diabetes, and other diseases.  Braz A Vie 90% Pure Acai was a wonderful and complimentary addition to their cause as it contains the superfruit Acai – known to be remarkably high in antioxidants that combat premature aging, promotes cardiovascular and digestive health and has been touted by many top nutritionists as reducing the risk of heart disease and cancer while helping to build a stronger immune system.

"We are absolutely delighted to have had the opportunity to present Braz A Vie 90% Pure Acai to Hollywood's elite," said Laurie Speaks, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Fruitology, Inc. "The Acai berry has been a 'superstar' in the superfruit world for some time.  This was the perfect venue to introduce the Amazon's 'celebrity' to Hollywood."

About Fruitology, Inc.:

Fruitology, Inc. is the maker of the finest quality, distinctive, wholesome beverages, supplements, and skincare products who strives to enhance the well-being of people around the world.  Founded by a committed group of food technologists, their combined desire and passion has resulted in the formulation of products that the whole family can enjoy.  Fruitology, Inc. can be reached at 888-934-3788 or www.fruitology4life.com.

SOURCE Fruitology, Inc.

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http://www.fruitology4life.com

In April 2010, Madison Sourdough will move from their current location at 6640 Mineral Point Road on the west side of Madison WI to 916 Williamson St.  The new downtown location will have more than 4000 square feet, approximately double the current size, and will include 1000 sq ft for retail, an indoor staging area for deliveries, and a 100% increase in production space.  The retail area will feature large custom displays for bread and pastry, plus seating for about 50 people.  The company plans to serve breakfast, lunch, an expanded line of artisanal bread and pastry, plus fair trade coffee and espresso drinks.  The breakfast and lunch menus will highlight the company's bakery products and will emphasize fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced locally.  The lunch menu will include six sandwiches, soups and salads, plus daily specials.

The primary reason for the move is the growth of the company and the limitation of space and infrastructure at the current location.  Co-Owners, David Lohrentz and Andrew Hutchison wish to move to a location with more space, and better visibility and foot-traffic in order to facilitate the growth of the retail operation. The company was originally founded on Willy St in 1994 by previous owner, Cameron Ramsay, and the company still has many loyal customers who live on the isthmus.

Another reason for the move is the proximity to wholesale customers.  Madison Sourdough currently delivers fresh bread and pastry seven days a week to 40 restaurants, grocery stores, coffee shops, and specialty shops in Greater Madison.  The company also sells its products at the Westside Community Market and Dane County Farmers' Market in Madison.  Currently, none of the wholesale customers or markets are within a 1.5 mile radius of the company.  After moving, 12 of the company's 40 wholesale customers plus the downtown Farmers' market will be within 1.5 miles.

Madison Sourdough customers will have access to 19 nearby off-street parking spaces at 924 Williamson St.  There will also be several spaces of 15 minute parking in front of the building.  The hours of retail operation will be 6:30 AM to 5:00 PM, seven days per week.

The expansion will lead to the creation of six full time jobs and four part-time positions.

SOURCE Madison Sourdough

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http://www.madisonsourdough.com

Univision Radio, the leading Spanish- language radio broadcaster in the U.S., announced a year-long sponsorship by SUBWAY(R) Restaurants of its exclusive Concert Series. Each concert will feature an opening act performance by an up-and-coming artist, sponsored by SUBWAY(R) Restaurants. The partnership also includes the creation and promotion of a branded micro-site entitled "SUBWAY Artistas Frescos(TM)" (SUBWAY Fresh Face Artists(TM)), where listeners can enter to win prizes, including a grand prize trip for two to a Univision Radio Concert Series event over the course of the year.

The micro-site, www.subwayartistasfrescos.com, will allow participants to submit a creative video that incorporates the SUBWAY(R) jingle. Each submission will be judged on uniqueness, creativity, originality and use of the jingle. The top-ten videos will be selected and posted on the site to allow visitors to vote for their favorite submission.

"Partnering with a leading consumer brand like SUBWAY(R) offers a terrific opportunity to promote our concert series in an artistic manner and we are excited to be able to incorporate the Internet to engage a younger audience," said Gary Stone, president and chief operating officer, Univision Radio. "We look forward to a successful year-long program."

"Our partnership with Univision Radio offers SUBWAY(R) a unique opportunity to reach out to our Hispanic youth target market in a fun, creative and culturally relevant way," said Eddie Lindley, SUBWAY(R) senior marketing manager, Multicultural Markets. "Music is always a great vehicle for reaching younger audiences, and concerts all the more so. We look forward to a successful promotion that combines sponsorship of the popular Univision Radio Concert Series, a SUBWAY(R) jingle-singing contest, and the power of the Internet."

"SUBWAY(R) is the ideal partner for this promotion and we're fortunate to be working with them," said Jack Hobbs, executive vice president, Univision Radio. "Our listeners will get to showcase their creative and musical talents, interact with the Subway brand and have a chance to attend our exclusive concert series."

For more information about the promotion, Official Rules and Grand Prize winners, please visit www.subwayartistasfrescos.com.

About SUBWAY(R) Restaurants

The SUBWAY(R) restaurant chain is the world's largest submarine sandwich franchise, with more than 32,000 locations in 91 countries. Headquartered in Milford, Connecticut, and with regional offices in Amsterdam, Beirut, Brisbane, Miami, and Singapore, the SUBWAY(R) chain was co-founded by Fred DeLuca and Dr. Peter Buck in 1965. The SUBWAY(R) brand was ranked the number one Franchise Opportunity and the number one Global Franchise Opportunity in the 2009 edition of Entrepreneur magazine's "Annual Franchise 500(R)" survey, an honor that the SUBWAY(R) chain has received 16 times in the past 22 years.

For more information about the SUBWAY(R) restaurant chain, please visit www.subway.com and www.subwayfreshbuzz.com. SUBWAY(R) is a registered trademark of Doctor's Associates Inc.

About Univision Communications Inc.

Univision Communications Inc. is the premier Spanish-language media company in the United States. Its operations include Univision Network, the most-watched Spanish-language broadcast television network in the U.S. reaching 95% of U.S. Hispanic Households; TeleFutura Network, a general- interest Spanish-language broadcast television network, which was launched in 2002 and now reaches 85% of U.S. Hispanic Households; Galavision, the country's leading Spanish-language cable network; Univision Studios, which produces and co-produces telenovelas, reality shows, dramatic series and other programming formats for all of the Company's platforms; Univision Television Group, which owns and operates 64 television stations in major U.S. Hispanic markets and Puerto Rico; Univision Radio, the leading Spanish-language radio group which owns and/or operates 68 radio stations in 16 of the top 25 U.S. Hispanic markets and 5 stations in Puerto Rico; and Univision Interactive Media, which includes http://www.univision.com, the premier Spanish-language Internet destination in the U.S., and Univision Movil, the industry's most comprehensive Spanish-language suite of mobile offerings. Univision Communications also has a 50% interest in TuTv, a joint venture formed to broadcast Televisa's pay television channels in the U.S. Univision Communications has television network operations in Miami and television and radio stations and sales offices in major cities throughout the United States.

For more information, please visit www.univision.net.

SOURCE Univision Radio

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China Marine Food Group Limited (NYSE Amex: CMFO) ("China Marine" or the "Company"), a China-based manufacturer of Mingxiang(R) seafood-based snack foods, "Hi-Power" marine algae-based beverages and distributor of frozen marine catch, today announced record financial results for its fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.

    Fourth Quarter Fiscal Year 2009 Highlights:
    -- Revenue was $24.9 million, up 85.0% from Q4 2008.
    -- Gross profit was $5.8 million, up 54.7% from Q4 2008.
    -- Operating income was $4.8 million, up 71.0% from Q4 2008.
    -- Net income was $4.4 million, up 74.1% from Q4 2008.
    -- Earnings per share were $0.18 based on 24.4 million shares.

    Fiscal Year 2009 Highlights:
    -- Revenue was $69.6 million, up 42.6% from the year ended December 31,
       2008.
    -- Gross profit was $19.1 million, up 25.9% from the previous year.
    -- Operating income was $16.2 million, up 29.8% from the previous year.
    -- Net income was $14.6 million, up 30.9% from 2008, with earnings of
       $0.60 per diluted share.
    -- Completed a new manufacturing facility during Q3 2009 which increased
       capacity from 10,000 tons to 20,000 tons per annum.

"China Marine experienced strong demand during the fourth quarter for both our processed seafood-based snack foods and marine catch product lines as retailers prepared for the Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations. The additional capacity we added during the year was instrumental in meeting our sales goals," said Mr. Pengfei Liu, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of China Marine.

Fourth Quarter Fiscal Year 2009 Results

Total revenue in the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2009 was $24.9 million, up 85.0% from $13.5 million in the prior year's period. Sales growth was driven by increased shipments of Mingxiang(R) snack food products to distributors and by shipments of frozen marine catch to distributors in the Liaoning province. The processed seafood segment contributed $14.5 million of revenues and grew 29.7% from the fourth quarter of 2008. The marine catch product line contributed $10.4 million in revenue and increased over three-fold from Q4 2008. As previously discussed, while the Company's focus is Mingxiang(R) snack foods and beverages, China Marine will take advantage of opportunities to drive incremental revenue growth by selling bulk orders of frozen squid to its established base of marine catch distributors.

Gross profit in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2009 was $5.8 million, an increase of 54.7% from $3.8 million in the prior year's corresponding period. Gross margins for the processed snack food line were 33.1%, compared to 32.0% in the fourth quarter of 2008. Marine Catch margins were 10.0% versus 8.2% in the fourth quarter of 2008.

Selling, general and administrative expenses in the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2009 were approximately $1.0 million, up 5.8% from $0.9 million in the prior year's period.

Operating income in the fourth quarter was $4.8 million, with operating margin of 19.4%, a 71.0% increase from $2.8 million with operating margin of 21.0%, in the prior year's period.

Net income for the quarter ended December 31, 2009 was $4.4 million, compared to $2.5 million in the prior year's corresponding period. Earnings per diluted share were $0.18 based on 24,391,942 diluted shares outstanding.

Fiscal Year 2009 Results

Total revenue for fiscal year 2009 was $69.6 million, up 42.6% from $48.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. In 2009, 74.8% of revenue was generated by sales of processed seafood products, and 25.2% of revenue was generated by sales of marine catch compared to 90.9% and 9.1%, respectively in 2008. Domestic sales accounted for 97.4% of revenue in 2009, compared to 95.1% of revenue in 2008. The Company exceeded its top line revenue guidance of $60.0 million by approximately $9.6 million, or 16.0%.

Gross profit was $19.1 million in 2009, a 25.9% increase from $15.2 million in 2008. In 2009, 90.6% of gross profit was generated by sales of processed seafood products and 9.4% of gross profit was generated by sales of marine catch compared to 97.1% and 2.9%, respectively in 2008. In 2009, sales of processed seafood had a gross margin of 33.3%, and sales of marine catch had a gross margin of 10.3% compared to 33.2% and 9.9%, respectively in 2008.

Operating income totaled $16.2 million in 2009, a 29.8% increase from $12.5 million in the previous fiscal year. The Company's operating margin was 23.2% compared to 25.5% in the prior year. Net income for fiscal year 2009 was $14.6 million, a 30.9% increase from $11.1 million during 2008, with net margins of 20.8% and 22.8% for 2009 and 2008, respectively. Earnings per share were $0.60 per diluted share in fiscal year 2009, compared to $0.48 per diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2008.

"We were very pleased to exceed both our revenue guidance of $60.0 million and net income guidance of $14.3 million for the year," said Mr. Pengfei Liu, Chairman and CEO of China Marine. "We leveraged our growing distribution network of Mingxiang(R) snack foods and significantly expanded our retail network to 2,200 stores from 1,400 in 2008. In 2010, we plan to enter new provinces and develop select export markets in Asia to drive future growth."

Financial Condition

As of December 31, 2009, the Company had $7.1 million in cash. Working capital was $48.4 million, up from $36.8 million as of December 31, 2008. Accounts receivable were $18.8 million, compared to $4.8 million as of December 31, 2008, which was attributed to the increase in sales volume during the year and the extension of credit period to the Company's major customers and consistent with existing market practices. Current liabilities were $8.1 million compared to $6.6 million as of December 31, 2008. Shareholder's equity was $59.9 million, a 32.9% increase from $45.0 million as of December 31, 2008.

The Company has $26.4 million in notes receivable on December 31, 2009 which was attributable to the convertible loan due from the acquisition's target company, and $2.3 million in prepayment for land use right due to the land cost for development of cold storage facilities.

Recent Events

On January 1, 2010, China Marine exercised an option to purchase 80.0% of the registered capital stock of Shishi Xianghe Food Science and Technology Co., Ltd. ("Xianghe"), the manufacturer of "Hi-Power", an algae-based health beverage. The acquisition consisted of transferring a loan of $26.4 million, which was owed by Xianghe to China Marine, and a payment of $1.4 million from China Marine to the former sole shareholder of Xianghe. 2010 revenues from Xianghe are forecast to be over $20 million with a 20.0% net profit margin.

In January 2010, China Marine announced that it entered into an agreement to sell 4,615,388 shares of common stock at a price of $6.50 per share, generating net proceeds of approximately $28.5 million, which will be used for working capital and general corporate purposes.

Business Outlook and Guidance

"Our acquisition of Xianghe complements our product line and gives us entry into new markets. Xianghe's "Hi-Power" algae-based drink is popular among health conscious consumers, a growing market segment in China," said Mr. Liu. "China Marine management will take over and manage Xianghe, and we intend to develop additional sales of "Hi-Power" algae-based drink through our Mingxiang(R) existing and expanding distribution network," Liu concluded.

After acquiring Xianghe, the Company increased its fiscal year 2010 guidance to $100.0 million in revenues and $21.5 million in net income. These guidance numbers are subject to change and before any non-cash amortization charges associated with intangible assets generated from the Xianghe acquisition.

Conference Call

To attend the call, please use the dial information below. When prompted, ask for the "China Marine Call" and/or be prepared to provide the conference ID.

    Date:                             March 23, 2010
    Time:                             10:00am ET
    Conference Line Dial-In (U.S.):   1-877-941-2069
    International Dial-In:            1-480-629-9713
    Conference ID:                    4269718
    Webcast link:                     http://viavid.net/dce.aspx?sid=0000726B

Please dial in at least 10-minutes before the call to ensure timely participation. A playback will be available through March 30th, 2010. To listen, please call 1-800-406-7325 within the United States or +1-303-590-3030 when calling internationally. Utilize the pass code 4269718 for the replay.

This call is being webcast by ViaVid Broadcasting and can be accessed by clicking on this link http://viavid.net/dce.aspx?sid=0000726B or at ViaVid's website at http://www.viavid.net , where the webcast can be accessed through March 22nd, 2011.

About China Marine

China Marine Food Group Ltd. is a food and beverage manufacturer of Mingxiang(R) seafood-based snack foods, "Hi-Power" marine algae-based health drinks, and a wholesaler of frozen marine catch in seven provinces in the PRC. Founded in 1994, China Marine has grown steadily and positioned its Mingxiang(R) brand as a category leader in 2,200 retail sales points in the PRC. The Company has received "The Famous Brand" and "Green Food" awards. Located in the Fujian province, it is one of the largest coastal provinces in the PRC and a vital navigation hub between the East China Sea and the South China Sea. The Company is committed to the highest standard of quality control with the ISO9001, ISO14001, HACCP certification and EU export registration.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This release contains certain "forward-looking statements" relating to the business of China Marine Food Group Limited and its subsidiary companies, which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes, expects" or similar expressions. Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including all business uncertainties relating to product development, marketing, concentration in a single customer, raw material costs, market acceptance, future capital requirements, competition in general and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from those described herein as anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Certain of these risks and uncertainties are or will be described in greater detail in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. China Marine Food Group Limited is under no obligation to (and expressly disclaims any such obligation to) update or alter its forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such state or jurisdiction.

                           - Financial Statements Follow -



                           CHINA MARINE FOOD GROUP LIMITED
                             CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                          AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND 2008
                (Currency expressed in United States Dollars ("US$"))

                                                      As of December 31,
                                                  2009               2008
    ASSETS
    Current assets:
      Cash and cash equivalents                $7,143,232        $31,640,307
      Accounts receivable, net                 18,834,062          4,819,434
      Inventories                               3,876,950          6,679,488
      Note receivable                          26,399,696                 --
      Prepaid expenses and other
       current assets                             151,653            326,977

    Total current assets                       56,405,593         43,466,206

    Property, plant and equipment, net          8,599,977          5,944,515
    Land use rights, net                          615,355            630,150
    Prepayment for land use right               2,274,323                 --
    Construction in progress                           --          1,604,855

    TOTAL ASSETS                              $67,895,248        $51,645,726

    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
    Current liabilities:
      Short-term borrowings                    $4,139,121         $4,289,341
      Accounts payable, trade                     885,286            416,463
      Amount due to a stockholder                  69,587            170,091
      Income tax payable                          618,664            362,326
      Accrued liabilities and other
       payable                                  2,334,384          1,387,427

    Total current liabilities                   8,047,042          6,625,648

    Commitments and contingencies

    Stockholders' equity:
      Preferred stock, $0.001 par value;
       1,000,000 shares authorized; 0
       shares issued and outstanding as
       of December 31, 2009 and 2008                   --                 --
      Common stock, $0.001 par value;
       100,000,000 shares authorized;
       23,413,639 and 23,026,301 shares
       issued and outstanding as of
       December 31, 2009 and 2008                  23,414             23,026
      Additional paid-in capital               16,888,532         16,752,945
      Statutory reserve                         5,614,517          4,883,700
      Accumulated other comprehensive
       income                                   3,576,135          3,448,436
      Retained earnings                        33,745,608         19,911,971

    Total stockholders' equity                 59,848,206         45,020,078

    TOTAL LIABILITIES AND
     STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                     $67,895,248        $51,645,726



                          CHINA MARINE FOOD GROUP LIMITED
          CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATION AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
                  FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND 2008
               (Currency expressed in United States Dollars ("US$"),
                            except for number of shares)

                                                 Years ended December 31,
                                               2009                  2008

    Revenue, net                           $69,585,683           $48,798,804

    Cost of revenue (inclusive of
     depreciation and amortization)        (50,456,225)          (33,606,972)

    Gross profit                            19,129,458            15,191,832

    Operating expenses:
      Depreciation and amortization            (79,725)              (58,310)
      Sales and marketing                     (608,685)             (608,259)
      General and administrative            (2,276,006)           (2,067,802)

    Total operating expenses                (2,964,416)           (2,734,371)

    Income from operations                  16,165,042            12,457,461

    Other income (expenses):
      Subsidy income                           309,901                68,225
      Rental income                             82,299                73,941
      Interest income                          288,687               505,173
      Interest expense                        (230,433)             (319,229)

    Income before income taxes              16,615,496            12,785,571

    Income tax expense                      (2,051,042)           (1,662,761)

    NET INCOME                             $14,564,454           $11,122,810

    Other comprehensive income:
    - Foreign currency
     translation gain                          127,699             2,195,540

    COMPREHENSIVE INCOME                   $14,692,153           $13,318,350

    Net income per share - basic                 $0.63                 $0.48
    Net income per share - diluted               $0.60                 $0.48

    Weighted average shares
     outstanding - basic                    23,062,839            23,010,842
    Weighted average shares
     outstanding - diluted                  24,391,942            23,010,842



                            CHINA MARINE FOOD GROUP LIMITED
                         CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                    FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND 2008
                (Currency expressed in United States Dollars ("US$"))

                                                  Years ended December 31,
                                                2009                 2008
    Cash flows from operating activities:
    Net income                              $14,564,454          $11,122,810
    Adjustments to reconcile net
     income to net cash provided by
     operating activities:
      Depreciation and amortization             330,419              237,400
      Loss on disposal of property,
       plant and equipment                        1,386              156,681
      Stock issued to an executive               66,975               77,136
      Stock issued for service                   69,000               96,420
      Allowance for doubtful accounts            70,425                3,196
    Changes in operating assets and
     liabilities:
      Accounts receivable                   (14,085,053)            (639,193)
      Inventories                             2,802,538           (5,492,153)
      Prepaid expenses and other
       current assets                           175,324             (161,449)
      Accounts payable, trade                   468,823              (20,157)
      Income tax payable                        256,338               21,232
      Accrued liabilities and other
       payable                                  946,957              598,575

    Net cash provided by operating
     activities                               5,667,586            6,000,498

    Cash flows from investing
     activities:
      Purchase of property, plant and
       equipment                               (353,177)            (634,069)
      Proceeds from disposal of
       property, plant and equipment                 --               13,906
      Cash paid to construction in
       progress                                (995,235)          (3,558,441)
      Cash paid to prepayment for land
       use right                             (2,274,323)                  --
      Advances to note receivable           (26,399,696)                  --

    Net cash used in investing activities   (30,022,431)          (4,178,604)

    Cash flows from financing activities:
      Repayment of amount due to a
       stockholder                             (100,504)             (92,297)
      Proceeds from short-term borrowings     4,139,121            8,844,844
      Payment on short-term borrowings       (4,289,341)          (5,388,690)

    Net cash (used in) provided by
     financing activities                      (250,724)           3,363,857

    Effect of exchange rate changes
     in cash and cash equivalents               108,494            1,977,909

    NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH
     EQUIVALENTS                            (24,497,075)           7,163,660

    CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS,
     BEGINNING OF YEAR                       31,640,307           24,476,647

    CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF
     YEAR                                    $7,143,232          $31,640,307

    SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH
     FLOW INFORMATION
    Cash paid for income taxes               $1,794,704           $1,641,529
    Cash paid for interest                     $230,433             $319,229



    SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH
     INVESTING AND FINANCING TRANSACTIONS
    Transfer from construction in progress to
     property, plant and equipment                  $2,600,090           $--


    For more information, please contact:

    COMPANY
     Marco Hon Wai Ku, CFO
     Suite 815, 8th Floor
     Ocean Centre, Harbour City
     Kowloon, HONG KONG
     Tel:   +852-2111-8768
     Email: marco.ku@china-marine.cn
     Web:   http://www.china-marine.cn

    INVESTOR RELATIONS
     John Mattio, SVP
     HC International, New York
     Tel:   +1-203-616-5144 (U.S.)
     Email: john.mattio@hcinternational.net
     Web:   http://www.hcinternational.net

SOURCE China Marine Food Group Limited

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David Brown, Acting State Conservationist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Pennsylvania has announced that applications are still being accepted for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) organic initiative.

Pennsylvania farmers transitioning to organic agriculture or those who are certified organic are encouraged to apply for assistance to implement conservation practices on their land. The cutoff date for the first ranking was March 12th. However, applications will be accepted and considered for 2010 contracts as long as funds are available. Applications not funded in 2010 can be retained for consideration in 2011.

NRCS in Pennsylvania has set aside $760,000 to support organic agriculture. Approved applicants may be eligible to receive up to $20,000 per year, totaling up to $80,000 over six years.

The EQIP organic initiative is designed to provide financial assistance in the form of payments of 75 percent of the average cost of a conservation practice, or 90 percent of the average cost of a conservation practice if the producer is in a traditionally underserved group, such as limited resource, beginning, or minority farmers.

Technical and financial assistance is available for a large number of conservation practices. Core practices that receive additional consideration as part of the application evaluation process include conservation crop rotation, cover crop, prescribed grazing, nutrient and pest management, conservation cover, field border, riparian herbaceous cover, riparian forested buffer, and windbreaks.

For more information about EQIP or to apply, go to www.pa.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/, or contact your local USDA Service Center.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).

SOURCE USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

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RELATED LINKS
http://www.pa.nrcs.usda.gov

A March 18, 2010 press release entitled "High Fructose Corn Syrup Linked to Liver Scarring" issued by Duke University incorrectly singled out high fructose corn syrup as being responsible for scarring in the liver and other liver diseases, when the underlying study for the release reviewed dietary intake of fructose containing beverages -- not high fructose corn syrup.

In the study "Increased Fructose Consumption is Associated with Fibrosis Severity in Patients with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease," researchers asked patients who were already diagnosed with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) to recall how many fructose-containing beverages they consumed over the prior year.  Although the researchers acknowledged that beverages containing fructose accounted for only 50% of total dietary intake of fructose -- leaving out other important dietary sources of fructose such as fruits and vegetables -- they nevertheless elected to base the findings of the recall study on beverages sources only. Magnifying these problems with their data interpretation still further, the researchers counted intake of fruit juices and other beverages containing fructose from sugar, even though those beverages contain no high fructose corn syrup at all.  

It should be noted that fructose has not been proven to be a cause of NAFLD in humans, and NAFLD subjects are compromised individuals with significant health problems which have very little to do with fructose intake. Moreover, associative studies of this kind are widely judged to be of low scientific value when trying to establish cause-and-effect, data from studies like this that are dependent on recollection of the study subjects are notoriously imprecise, and these studies are full of confounding variables and exceedingly difficult to control.

This study unnecessarily confuses consumers about the impact of dietary fructose.  Fructose, or "fruit sugar," is safe and is commonly found in fruits, vegetables, fruit juices, table sugar, honey, high fructose corn syrup, and maple syrup.

For more information, please visit www.SweetSurprise.com.

CRA is the national trade association representing the corn refining (wet milling) industry of the United States. CRA and its predecessors have served this important segment of American agribusiness since 1913. Corn refiners manufacture sweeteners, ethanol, starch, bioproducts, corn oil, and feed products from corn components such as starch, oil, protein, and fiber.

SOURCE Corn Refiners Association

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RELATED LINKS
http://www.corn.org
http://www.SweetSurprise.com

Lipton Ice Tea airs its first TV spot starring Hollywood A-lister Hugh Jackman, "Tokyo Dancing Hotel" around the world.

Internationally renowned Jackman, famed for his performances in recent Hollywood films such as Australia, X-Men and Wolverine, stars in this spectacular TV ad to launch his three-year partnership with Lipton Ice Tea, one of the world's leading iced tea brands.

"Tokyo Dancing Hotel" was filmed in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, earlier this year and capitalizes on Jackman's highly praised acting, dancing and performance talents. It shows Jackman's character looking tired and alone until he takes a sip of Lipton Ice Tea and his mood is instantly transformed and uplifted. The actor skillfully dances through various rooms in a luxury hotel, with hotel staff and guests joining him and mirroring his energetic moves.

Hugh Jackman commented: "I was thrilled when Lipton Ice Tea approached me with the 'Tokyo Dancing Hotel' script because it is a high-energy, positive script that incorporates many of the dancing and performance skills I have developed as an actor. The execution of the script was a collaborative process between Lipton Ice Tea, the director [Michael Gracey], the choreographer [Ashley Wallen], and me. It was a wonderful opportunity for me to have more creative input and involvement."

Michael Gracey, director of "Tokyo Dancing Hotel," commented: "It's great when you can take a script and think about how you can make it unique to the brand, in this case Lipton Ice Tea. For 'Tokyo Dancing Hotel', you see an image of Hugh Jackman dancing on water with two Japanese girls in a rooftop garden, and that single image becomes iconic and something that people will always reference back to Lipton Ice Tea. I love when you get the opportunity to do that."

Ashley Wallen, choreographer of "Tokyo Dancing Hotel" said: "When discussing the idea behind the choreography for 'Tokyo Dancing Hotel' we wanted to get a bit of comedy in there. We have referenced iconic choreography like Bob Fosse's, alongside comedic influences, and used Michael Jackson influenced moves for other scenes to bring a mixture of different styles together."

The "Tokyo Dancing Hotel" spot forms part of Lipton Ice Tea's global "Drink Positive" campaign, which launched earlier this year. The campaign includes a number of exciting activities involving Jackman, set to be announced later this year.

Jason Green, Chief Marketing Officer of Lipton Ice Tea, explained: "We're extremely excited about the new ad 'Tokyo Dancing Hotel', as it highlights the two key values of Lipton Ice Tea, which are positivity and optimism. Hugh Jackman is the perfect actor for this Lipton Ice Tea spot as he has such an upbeat attitude on life. We're very excited about the global plans and are looking forward to the additional activity with Hugh Jackman coming over the next three years."

For more information on Lipton Ice Tea please visit www.drink-positive.com  

About DDB

DDB Worldwide Communications Group Inc (www.ddb.com) is the largest consolidated advertising and marketing services global network in the world, according to Advertising Age. DDB also has been frequently ranked as the most awarded agency network in the world by Creativity magazine and The Gunn Report, among others. In 2009 DDB was named Global Network of the Year by Campaign magazine and Tribal DDB Digital Agency of the Year by Media. With more than 200 offices in over 90 countries, the DDB Group believes that creativity is the most powerful force in business, building enduring and powerful brand experiences that create TalkValue™, influence social communities and drive results. DDB Worldwide is part of Omnicom Group Inc. ( OMC).

SOURCE DDB Worldwide Communications Group Inc

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http://www.ddb.com

David Brown, Acting State Conservationist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Pennsylvania has announced that applications are still being accepted for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) organic initiative.

Pennsylvania farmers transitioning to organic agriculture or those who are certified organic are encouraged to apply for assistance to implement conservation practices on their land. The cutoff date for the first ranking was March 12th. However, applications will be accepted and considered for 2010 contracts as long as funds are available. Applications not funded in 2010 can be retained for consideration in 2011.

NRCS in Pennsylvania has set aside $760,000 to support organic agriculture. Approved applicants may be eligible to receive up to $20,000 per year, totaling up to $80,000 over six years.

The EQIP organic initiative is designed to provide financial assistance in the form of payments of 75 percent of the average cost of a conservation practice, or 90 percent of the average cost of a conservation practice if the producer is in a traditionally underserved group, such as limited resource, beginning, or minority farmers.

Technical and financial assistance is available for a large number of conservation practices. Core practices that receive additional consideration as part of the application evaluation process include conservation crop rotation, cover crop, prescribed grazing, nutrient and pest management, conservation cover, field border, riparian herbaceous cover, riparian forested buffer, and windbreaks.

For more information about EQIP or to apply, go to www.pa.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/, or contact your local USDA Service Center.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).

SOURCE USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

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http://www.pa.nrcs.usda.gov

The popular, annual Passover in the Aisles program which features a variety of Passover-themed activities is returning Sunday, March 21 to three area Giant Eagle Market Districts -- Shadyside Market District and South Hills Market District 10 a.m. to noon and Robinson Market District 1-3 p.m.  

Organized by the United Jewish Federation of Pittsburgh's Outreach Initiative, 21 local Jewish organizations and agencies are collaborating on this year's program.  

Rhonda Horvitz, United Jewish Federation's community outreach coordinator, said that the goal of the program is to bring the holiday to the community in a fun, interactive way, and to provide a public display of local Jewish flavor. "We're trying to present the holiday to the community in a very public way, and to build excitement around celebrating Passover," she added.

"We will have an area called 'Ask the Rabbi' where local rabbis will answer questions about the holiday." The event will also be celebrated with live music, cooking demonstrations, Passover food sampling, arts and crafts, and a free raffle giveaway and more.

"I hope participants will also learn about the many organizations and agencies our Jewish community has to offer," Horvitz added. 

"Giant Eagle deserves a tremendous amount of gratitude for all of their work with this annual event," she said. "The chain is donating all of the matzos given out Sunday.  It's all about the community collaborating together," she added. "Each year this event brings together the entire community as everyone works together to celebrate Passover."

SOURCE United Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh

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In March 2010, the Sensa® Weight-Loss System makes losing weight even easier with the launch of Sensa® Slims On-The-Go Packets.  These convenient packets make it simple to sprinkle away the pounds when eating out, traveling or just looking to be discreet about losing weight.

(Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100319/LA73379)

"The biggest request we have seen from our customers was for single-serving packets to use when eating out at a restaurant or when traveling," says Kristin Chadwick, VP of Brand Development for Sensa. "We took these requests to heart and developed Sensa Slims to meet the needs of our customers and help make their weight-loss journey effortless."

The Sensa Slims On-The-Go Packets contain the exact same formula as Sensa Shakers and each packet contains the perfect amount of sprinkles for a standard meal.  Based on several surveys, Sensa customers eat out 2-3 times a week. Sensa Slims are available in Month 1 to 6 and each month contains 20 salty packets and 10 sweet packets.  Sensa Slims follow the same 6-month progression as the Sensa Weight-Loss System and are a perfect complement to the Sensa Shakers so users can easily grab a packet before dining out.

Hundreds of thousands of people across the United States have turned to the Sensa Weight-Loss System to lose weight because it's easy, effective and clinically proven.  Sensa works without the restrictions of calorie counting, the inconvenience of pre-packaged meals and the side-effects of drugs and stimulants.  This already-refreshingly easy system just got easier with Sensa Slims.

Sensa Slims On-The-Go Packets are available for $19.95 at trysensa.com

About Sensa

Based on over 20 years of his research linking human olfactory senses to appetite and overeating, Dr. Alan Hirsch developed the Sensa Weight-Loss System. Sensa consists of patent pending blends of scented Tastants that you sprinkle on food, and are designed to stimulate the olfactory senses and trigger satiety. Sensa has become a leading weight-loss tool to encourage portion control without restrictive dieting, stimulants or pills.  www.trysensa.com

SOURCE Sensa Weight-Loss System

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http://www.trysensa.com/

Whole Foods Market (Nasdaq: WFMI) has expanded its line of kosher food products in all U.S. locations, making it easy for families preparing this year's Passover celebrations. In addition to kosher turkey and chicken, Whole Foods Market offers kosher for Passover matzo, cake mixes and macaroons, as well as traditional celebration foods like gefilte fish, smoked salmon and lamb shank bones.  

"With the addition of so many kosher for Passover foods, Whole Foods Market is a one-stop shop for complete Passover and Seder menus," says Errol Schweizer, Whole Foods Market global grocery director. "We have more kosher food products than ever, many of which are also organic and whole grain."

From now through Passover, Whole Foods Market offers menu suggestions and recipes to help plan Seder dinner and Passover menus.  

Since September 2009, Whole Foods Market has offered kosher chicken and turkey products, provided by Kosher Valley™, which are certified by Rabbi Yechiel Babad and the Orthodox Union.  Kosher Valley's antibiotic-free kosher line is one of the first of its kind in the United States.

"There has been huge demand for our antibiotic-free, kosher poultry products since we began offering them six months ago," says Theo Weening, the company's global meat coordinator.  "Besides being kosher and antibiotic free, the Kosher Valley poultry also has terrific flavor that our shoppers keep coming back for."

Exclusive to Whole Foods Market are two new kosher for Passover matzo products: Aviv organic matzo and Yehuda organic and whole wheat matzo.  Whole Foods Market continues its partnership with Streit's, the only family-owned and -operated matzo producer in the United States, which has removed artificial ingredients and preservatives from many of its products.  In addition to Streit's matzo, Whole Foods Market offers Streit's vegetarian and gluten-free macaroons, all-natural, vegetarian cake mixes and stuffing mixes that are free of hydrogenated oils, preservatives, and MSG.

Avvio grape juice, an essential part of the Passover Seder, is exclusively available at Whole Foods Market.  Shoppers can complete their Seder Plates with lamb shank bones, offered free of charge.  

For Passover recipes and more information, go to blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/2010/03/celebrate-passover%E2%80%A6naturally/.

SOURCE Whole Foods Market

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http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com

The popular, annual Passover in the Aisles program which features a variety of Passover-themed activities is returning Sunday, March 21 to three area Giant Eagle Market Districts -- Shadyside Market District and South Hills Market District 10 a.m. to noon and Robinson Market District 1-3 p.m.  

Organized by the United Jewish Federation of Pittsburgh's Outreach Initiative, 21 local Jewish organizations and agencies are collaborating on this year's program.  

Rhonda Horvitz, United Jewish Federation's community outreach coordinator, said that the goal of the program is to bring the holiday to the community in a fun, interactive way, and to provide a public display of local Jewish flavor. "We're trying to present the holiday to the community in a very public way, and to build excitement around celebrating Passover," she added.

"We will have an area called 'Ask the Rabbi' where local rabbis will answer questions about the holiday." The event will also be celebrated with live music, cooking demonstrations, Passover food sampling, arts and crafts, and a free raffle giveaway and more.

"I hope participants will also learn about the many organizations and agencies our Jewish community has to offer," Horvitz added. 

"Giant Eagle deserves a tremendous amount of gratitude for all of their work with this annual event," she said. "The chain is donating all of the matzos given out Sunday.  It's all about the community collaborating together," she added. "Each year this event brings together the entire community as everyone works together to celebrate Passover."

SOURCE United Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh

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Emily Custer has worked for four years in the Creative Department at the headquarters of DS Waters (brand owner of Crystal Springs) in Atlanta, Georgia.  She remembers when a few of her college friends had mothers who went through the trial of breast cancer, she was concerned but not involved.  All that changed two years ago when her own mother was diagnosed, and now Emily has found that DS Waters and their support of the Susan G. Komen Foundation has enabled her to pay-it-forward. She uses her talents for the cause in her everyday work life.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100319/CL73415 )

This weekend, both Emily and her mother Gina Schroeder are at the 2010 Affiliate Leadership Conference for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, in Dallas, Texas, March 18-20.  Emily is representing DS Waters, which sponsored transportation for the more than 1,000 participants as they move from the main conference location to off-site events on Thursday and Friday nights.  Her mother, Gina will also be participating in a celebratory survivor breakfast on Saturday morning.

"I'm really looking forward to meeting Komen's founder," said Gina Schroeder.  Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker, founder and CEO of Komen for the Cure, will be in attendance at the conference.  Brinker founded Susan G. Komen for the Cure in memory of her sister Susan G. Komen, in 1982. Since then, the organization has changed how the world talks about and treats breast cancer. In 1982, people wouldn't even say the words "breast cancer" aloud.

Gina Schroeder's daughter Emily Custer knew about the story of the Komen organization, and when DS Waters embarked on a partnership in 2009 with Susan G. Komen for the Cure,  Custer looked for ways to contribute her creativity.

"I was excited to be part of the creative team that designed vehicle graphics, advertisements and employee programs," Emily Custer said.  There are 25 water delivery service trucks that are fully painted pink with Komen graphics and over 1,800 bright green delivery service trucks which display a "Proud Partner of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®" decal reflecting the creativity of Emily and her team.  

At work, Emily participated with full campaign spirit.  Her floor at the company headquarters chose a theme to tie into the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure® Series.  "This floor decorating event might sound frivolous, but it really raised awareness within our company and highlighted important facts about breast cancer that people don't know.  For example, nearly 2000 men were expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009," Custer said.  "All of the sudden, I became aware that I was surrounded by people who are affected by breast cancer in some way or another – mothers, daughters, husbands, sons, aunts, friends.  It isn't just me and my Mom."

Gilbert Gibson, President of DS Waters of America, is pleased that the company can make a difference.  "This cause is very important, and it is important to our employees.  Those are two good reasons that we are happy to partner with Komen," Gibson said.

Emily Custer's awareness of the cause increased significantly when Gina Schroeder discovered her own tumor in May 2008.  "My tumor did not show up on my mammogram, and I should have been more diligent in doing self examinations.  After all, I am a nurse!  But luckily the tumor was superficial enough that I could just barely see it and so I went to the doctor," Schroeder said.  

"Even in the last 10 years, there have been huge advancements in breast cancer treatment developments," noted Schroeder.   "As a nurse, the patients that I saw years ago had radical mastectomies.  This is now changing."

"Regardless, as a survivor, you move from the fight for your life to trying to get back to normal.   It is never normal," she said.  "I share the goal of the Komen organization – I hope that in the future, other women will not have to experience breast cancer.  Still, much remains to be done."

Gina Schroeder just finished her treatment, which involved reconstructive surgery, in November 2009.  She says that it is "almost unbelievable what good support I had from family, neighbors, friends, my church group. "

Emily Custer is lavish in her praise for Komen and the support it provides both financially in terms of funding research and community programs, and on their website, komen.org, with information and resources to help breast cancer patients find support and information.  She encouraged her mother every step of the way.  "I felt privileged to shave my Mom's head during her chemo," Custer said.  "Komen has made a huge difference in survival rates.  And saving my Mom's life was like saving my life too."

The 2010 Affiliate Leadership Conference in Dallas provides a busy schedule of seminars on such topics as investment in research, new breast cancer therapies, the significance of corporate partnerships, a meeting specifically for the men of Komen to discuss issues faced by male survivors and co-survivors, a look at global successes, ways to make a difference in breast cancer disparities in communities and fundraising success stories.

About DS Waters

Created in 2003, DS Waters is the producer and distributor of home, office, and retail bottled water products across the United States under the brand names Alhambra®, Belmont Springs®, Crystal Springs®, Hinckley Springs®, Kentwood Springs®, Nursery® Water, Sierra Springs® and Sparkletts®, and Roast2Coast®, a coffee delivery service. The company, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, is the U.S. leader in home and office water delivery, focusing on five gallon, one gallon, and single serve bottled water products. Water is bottled at 26 manufacturing facilities and then delivered to millions of homes and offices, as well as retail establishments across the country. DS Waters employs approximately 4,500 Associates in 40 states. Visit www.water.com or www.NurseryWater.com for more information.

About Crystal Springs

For over 80 years, Crystal Springs has delivered the finest quality water to homes and offices across the Southeast and mid-Atlantic.  The source of Crystal Springs can be found in the Chattahoochee National Forest, within the quiet woodlands west of Ocala, Florida, or from deep in the earth near Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  Because Crystal Springs offers the convenience of home or office delivery and its products can be found on store shelves, bottled water drinkers have made Crystal Springs a favored brand whether they're at home, at work or enjoying leisure activities.  Known as a partner to a variety of events and organizations that are focused on family, youth, fitness and education, Crystal Springs has a tradition of giving back to the communities it serves.  Crystal Springs and its associates also support local communities by providing water during emergencies such as hurricanes, fires, floods, droughts, and other natural disasters.  Learn more about what makes Crystal Springs bottled water the best bottled water delivery and filtration service choice for your family, your business and your lifestyle at www.crystalwater.com.

About Susan G. Komen for the Cure®

Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure and launched the global breast cancer movement. Today, Komen for the Cure is the world's largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. Thanks to events like the Komen Race for the Cure, we have invested more than $1.3 billion to fulfill our promise, becoming the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world. For more information about Susan G. Komen for the Cure, breast health or breast cancer, visit www.komen.org or call 1-877 GO KOMEN.

SOURCE DS Waters

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http://www.water.com

Old London, the makers of America's favorite Melba Toast, has launched the "Dance Your Way to Hollywood" sweepstakes to showcase an exciting new lifestyle option for health-minded Americans.  

"Dance Your Way to Hollywood" will send one winner and a guest to Tinseltown for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, including private dance lessons at the exclusive 3rd Street Dance Studio, as well as tickets to watch the taping of a highly popular television show.  The four-day, three-night, all-expense-paid experience includes air travel and accommodations at a popular Hollywood hotel.  Consumers can enter the sweepstakes March 17 through June 30, 2010, at www.toastforeverydayhealth.com.  

Old London not only promotes a basic healthy lifestyle for all, but offers a product line of better-for-you snacks.  Melba Snacks, JJFlats Flatbreads, Melba Toast and new Bagel Chips provide the perfect supplement for maintaining a nutrition regimen between meals.  Most Old London products are made with all-natural whole grains, and always are low calorie and low fat; ideal to eat with a dip, use as a soup or salad topper or snack on straight from the box.  

A healthy living plan is incomplete without a well-rounded exercise routine. Studies have shown that dancing is a great way to stay fit and have fun. The Mayo Clinic(i) reports that dancing is an enjoyable way to socialize and it can provide alternative health benefits such as burning as many calories as walking, swimming or riding a bike. Sources state that dancing the Foxtrot elevates the heart rate and can burn hundreds of calories per hour!(ii)

"Old London believes that overall health starts with making realistic goals," said Chris Gunsch, director of marketing for Old London.  "We continuously try to provide our consumers with new and exciting snack options that are low in fat and made with all-natural ingredients. Our products supplement your everyday fitness and nutrition plan to maintain and improve overall health."

Old London will accept entries for "Dance Your Way to Hollywood" from March 17 through June 30 via www.ToastforEverydayHealth.com.  The online presence for Old London's collaborations with healthy-living experts is www.ToastforEverydayHealth.com and features fitness tips, nutrition information, recipes and much more.  The site not only promotes the positive benefits of strutting your stuff on the dance floor but also includes contributions from Kyle Shadix -- a certified chef de cuisine, registered dietitian and culinary expert specializing in nutrition, food and health -- whose monthly recipes showcase the many ways to use Melba toast in meals and snacks throughout the day.  

In addition to www.ToastforEverydayHealth.com, visitors can find information on the "Dance Your Way to Hollywood" sweepstakes, the Old London product line and nutritional information at www.oldlondonfoods.com.  

About Old London

Old London was founded in 1932 as Devonsheer Melba Company.  Eventually, Devonsheer Melba became part of the Old London Foods brand name to form a larger array of Melba products.  Old London Foods has over 20 different flavors available in Melba Toasts, Melba Rounds and other snacks. Old London, a well-respected, trusted brand, produces a wide variety of high quality products.  More product information can be found at www.oldlondonfoods.com

(i)Laskowski M.D., Edward R. (2008-12-10). Belly-dancing: A good exercise for weight loss? Retrieved February 19, 2010, from Mayo Clinic website: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/belly-dancing/AN01491

(ii)Foxtrot Dancing, from Livestrong.com website: http://www.livestrong.com/thedailyplate/fitness/exercise/foxtrot-dancing/

SOURCE Old London

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RELATED LINKS
http://www.oldlondonfoods.com
http://www.ToastforEverydayHealth.com

MEDIA ELEMENTS:

EVENT WEB SITE: Friday's maintains an event site for the World Bartender Championship: www.worldbtc.com. The site contains information about the annual competition, profiles on all finalists including individual image and video galleries, a video recap of the previous championship, news releases about the championship, information on charities, the history of T.G.I. Friday's restaurants and media contact information.

INTERVIEWS/ON-AIR APPEARANCES: The finalists are available for interviews prior to the event. The World Champion and US Champion will be available for interviews and on-air appearances immediately following the event.  For interview and/or on-air appearance consideration, please call Tom Beyer, 480-358-8135 or email tom@dfpr.com.

TEXT/IMAGES: A winner's announcement will be sent to media via PR Newswire Monday (3/29). Images and video clips from T.G.I. Friday's World Bartender Championship will be available immediately following the competition and can also be requested in advance by emailing tom@dfpr.com.

With more than 900 restaurants in 60 countries, including approximately 600 restaurants in the US, T.G.I. Friday's offers great food, innovative drinks and a unique experience filled with flair and a Thank God It's Friday's™ attitude. Friday's authentic, engaging atmosphere makes it the perfect place to escape, socialize and connect with people while getting a rejuvenating second wind. Members of Give Me More Stripes®, Friday's guest recognition program, receive free stuff and special perks year-round. As the original casual dining restaurant, T.G.I. Friday's has a rich heritage which includes being credited with popularizing Happy Hour, Long Island Iced Tea and Loaded Potato Skins. T.G.I. Friday's is also famous for its flair bartenders, approximately 8000 of whom compete annually for the title of the "World's Greatest T.G.I. Friday's Bartender."

Carlson Restaurants Worldwide Inc., the parent company of TGI Friday's Inc., is a privately held company owned by Minneapolis-based Carlson, a world leader in the hospitality and travel industries. As of March 2010, Carlson Restaurants Worldwide owns, operates, franchises or licenses more than 1,000 restaurants in 60 countries. For more information, visit http://www.fridays.com.  

(Logo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060907/DATH025LOGO)

SOURCE T.G.I. Friday's Restaurants

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http://www.fridays.com

The Nestle Drumstick brand introduces the sweet and timeless flavors of s'mores and caramel to their popular lineup of Nestle Drumstick Lil' Drums sundae cones.  The new S'mores and Caramel Variety Pack includes two creamy selections with the same decadent taste experience of traditional Nestle Drumstick cones, but in a smaller snack size.  Even better, each box contains ten cones that are 120 calories or less for a fun-filled treat.

Building on the success of last year's Lil' Drums debut, the two new flavors add more scrumptious choices for adventurous taste buds.  S'mores Sundae Cones give the nostalgic campfire favorite a new twist with rich chocolate swirled into creamy marshmallow.  The new Caramel flavor is spun with smooth, golden caramel. Both flavors are topped off with crunchy graham cracker pieces for true Nestle Drumstick delight.

"The Nestle Drumstick brand has taken an all-time favorite classic – Nestle Drumstick -- and given it a small, but significant, twist with Nestle Drumstick Lil' Drums to appeal to frozen snacks fans of all ages," says John Harrison, Official Taster for the Nestle Drumstick brand.  "With each new flavor weighing in at 120 calories or less, the S'mores and Caramel Sundae Cones are a small indulgence with big benefits -- more fun and less guilt."

Nestle Drumstick Lil' Drums Sundae Cones come in 10-count packages and the new flavors will be available in grocery stores and retail locations nationwide beginning March 15, 2010, at the suggested retail price of $5.99.

Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc. is a division of Nestle USA, which is owned by Nestle S.A. of Vevey, Switzerland the world's largest nutrition, health and wellness company.  Dreyer's manufactures, markets and distributes a full spectrum of ice cream and frozen snacks.  The company's premium products are marketed under the Dreyer's brand name throughout the Western states and Texas, and under the Edy's® brand name throughout the remainder of the United States.  Brands manufactured or distributed by Dreyer's in the United States include Dreyer's/Edy's® Grand, Slow Churned®, Dibs®, Loaded, MAXX, Fruit Bars, Nestle Crunch®, Drumstick®, Butterfinger®, Toll House®, Push-Up®, Delicias, Frosty Paws®, Eskimo Pie®, The Skinny Cow™ and Haagen-Dazs®.  Internationally, the Dreyer's brand extends to select markets in the Far East and the Edy's brand extends to the Caribbean and South America.  For more information on the company, please visit www.dreyersinc.com.

In the U.S. the Haagen-Dazs trademark is licensed to Nestle by General Mills and sub-licensed to Dreyer's by Nestle.

SOURCE Nestle Drumstick brand

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Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE: EAT), parent company of  Chili's® Grill & Bar, On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina® and Maggiano's Little Italy®, congratulates two of its national charitable partners, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital® and Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, for being ranked among the most trusted nonprofits in America. Make-A-Wish Foundation®, a third Brinker charitable partner, was named to the Top 10 list of brands to which Americans are most likely to donate.

Each year, Brinker brands rally to raise funds and awareness for their selected national charitable partners. In September, as part of the Create-A-Pepper to Fight Childhood Cancer campaign, Chili's encourages guests to color the signature Chili's pepper for a donation of $1 or more to St. Jude. The brand also donates 100 percent of profits the last Monday of the month, all in part to reach Chili's 10-year, $50 million commitment to St. Jude.

Decked out in pink from floor to ceiling during its Fiesta for the Cure campaign, On The Border sponsors restaurant events and gathers donations throughout October to help raise funds for Susan G. Komen. Maggiano's touts chef-created dishes guests can purchase, with a portion of the proceeds going directly to its charitable partner Make-A-Wish, during the Eat-A-Dish for Make-A-Wish campaign each May.

In the recently released 2010 Harris Poll EquiTrend® survey conducted by Harris Interactive, St. Jude, one of the world's premier pediatric cancer research centers, located in Memphis, Tenn., was ranked as the most-trusted nonprofit brand. Susan G. Komen for the Cure, a global leader in the support of breast cancer research headquartered in Dallas, Texas, took second place in the survey. The two charities also ranked highest in the brand equity category, with Komen finishing first and St. Jude finishing second.

"As a valued partner in our Chili's Create-A-Pepper to Fight Childhood Cancer Campaign, St. Jude and its commitment to lifesaving work continue to inspire and motivate us. This national recognition demonstrates that St. Jude has a similar impact on the general public," said Kelli Valade, SVP and COO of Chili's Grill & Bar and On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina. "Susan G. Komen and Make-A-Wish included, we applaud all three of our national Brinker charitable partners and the great work they do."

Partnerships such as those with St. Jude, Susan G. Komen and Make-A-Wish stem from Brinker International's commitment—both at the corporate level and within each of its brands—to giving back to those who need support. Giving back to the communities where its employees live and work is one of Brinker International's core values, as reflected in its employee-established Brinker Family Fund (BFF). This fund, a 501(c)3 organization that provides support to team members and their families in times of need, is completely funded, managed and distributed by Brinker team members.

About Brinker International

Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE: EAT), is one of the world's leading casual dining restaurant companies, serving more than 1 million guests daily. Founded in 1975 and based in Dallas, Texas, Brinker owns or franchises more than 1,700 restaurants in 29 countries and two territories, and employs more than 125,000. Brinker restaurant brands include Chili's® Grill & Bar, On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina® and Maggiano's Little Italy®. Brinker also holds a minority investment in Romano's Macaroni Grill®. The company was named one of FORTUNE Magazine's Most Admired Food Service Companies in 2009 and was honored by the magazine as one of the Top 50 Employers for Minorities and the Top 50 Employers for Women. For more information, visit http://www.brinker.com/.

SOURCE Brinker International, Inc.

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The Kroger Co. today amended the code date on Kroger California Seasoning Blend Garlic Powder it recalled yesterday due to notification from a supplier that an ingredient in the product may have been contaminated with Salmonella.

Kroger is recalling Kroger California Seasoning Blend Garlic Powder sold in 2.5-ounce jars with code dates of Sell By: Dec 03 11PS2 and Sell by: Dec 04 11PS2 under the following UPC code:  1111066599.

Stores under the following names in the 31 states where Kroger operates are included in this recall:  Kroger, Ralphs, Food 4 Less, Fry's, King Soopers, Smith's, Dillons, City Market, Foods Co., Jay C, Scott's, Owen's, Baker's, Gerbes, Hilander and Pay Less.

No illnesses have been reported in connection with the Kroger products.

Customers who have purchased the above products should not consume them and should return them to a store for a full refund or replacement.  

Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections, particularly in young children, the elderly, and persons with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and/or abdominal pain. For more information, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website at www.cdc.gov.

Consumers who have questions about this recall may contact Kroger toll-free at (800) 632-6900. For more information, please visit www.kroger.com/recalls.

SOURCE The Kroger Co.

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The Third Annual Pebble Beach Food & Wine (April 8-11, 2010) is positioned to continue its reign as the signature West Coast culinary event with such celebrity chefs as Thomas Keller, Wolfgang Puck, Michel Richard, Gary Danko, Hubert Keller, Tyler Florence, Iron Chef Morimoto, Charlie Trotter, Jacques Pepin, Iron Chef Michael Symon, Rick Tramonto, Jonathan Waxman, Ming Tsai, and Michael Chiarello to name a few. This four-day celebration will bring together more than 60 prominent chefs and over 250 acclaimed wineries from around the world to the iconic Pebble Beach Resorts for a first-class display of epicurean splendor  and unrivaled access, all at incredible values. In addition to cooking demonstrations led by the world's most talented chefs from across the country and vertical tastings from some of the world's top wine producers, unique experiences added each year make this a not-to-be-missed annual event.

Upcoming highlights include:

• Tribute to a Legend: Jacques Pepin: Michel Richard of Citronelle, Ken Frank of La Toque, Ming Tsai of Blue Ginger, Charlie Trotter of Charlie Trotter's, and Gina DePalma of Babbo Ristorante and Enoteca make up the "dream team" paying tribute to this legend who introduced the finer points of French cuisine techniques to the masses for what is sure to be a poignant evening.
• A Study in Classic Compositions with Thomas Keller and Charlie Trotter: Join culinary legends Thomas Keller and Charlie Trotter with pastry star Angela Pinkerton from Eleven Madison Park for an evening of culinary decadence. Olivier Krug will preside over the champagne reception while wine icons Pio Boffa of Pio Cesare, Paul Roberts from Bond, and others match wines with the chefs' masterful creations.
• Dining with the "Top Chef Masters": Culinary heavyweights from the first season of the famed Bravo competition series, Michael Chiarello, Hubert Keller, Roy Yamaguchi, Tim Love and Johnathan Waxman join forces in the kitchen once again to create a night of memorable dining.
• An Evening of Decadence with Sir Peter Michael: Hubert Keller of San Francisco's Fleur de Lys, Richard Reddington of REDD in Napa Valley, Adam Cooke of Blackberry Farm in Tennessee, Mark Gaier and Clark Frasier of Arrow's in Maine and Sherry Yard of Los Angeles' famed Spago team up to create an unforgettable dinner paired with exclusive wines from the cellars of Peter Michael Winery, cultivated from the volcanic ridges of Mount St. Helena.
• Food & Wine Best New Chefs Alumni Dinner Presented by Beringer: Christopher Kostow (2009) of The Restaurant at Meadowood,  Mark Sullivan (2002) of Spruce, Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo (2009) of Animal Restaurant along with Gale Gand (1998) of TRU, all previous winners of this coveted award, unite to cook together for the first time.
• Grand Finale Dinner: In an era of Celebrity Chefs, a few names stand out as the vanguard of America's culinary revolution.  Wolfgang Puck of Spago, Los Angeles, Gary Danko of Restaurant Gary Danko, San Francisco, Rick Tramonto of TRU, Chicago and Sherry Yard of Spago, Los Angeles join forces to present a seven course masterpiece that speaks of elegance and indulgence in the beautiful setting of Club XIX at The Lodge at Pebble Beach. As in past years, the wines for this culminating dinner of the weekend's festivities are hand selected from very private cellars. When Olivier Krug starts the pre-dinner reception with Krug Grand Cuvee followed by the Krug Vintage 1998, you know the rest of the line-up is sure to please.
• The two Grand Tasting events continue to make most gourmands' annual "must-do" list for the year -- taking place in the 60,000 square-foot Lexus Grand Tasting tent on both Saturday and Sunday of the festival weekend. For the a la carte price of $175, guests are granted unparalleled access to 25 world-renowned chefs serving samples of their cuisine and signing their books, along with 200 premium wineries pouring more than 500 vintages.
• A Sine Qua Non Tasting with Manfred Krankl: An extremely rare tasting with one of California's greatest winemakers: Manfred Krankl. The eclectic, award-winning winemaker will tour guests through seven unique SQN wines straight from his cellar.
• Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Echezeaux Retrospective: Perhaps one of the most revered wineries in the world, Domaine de la Romanee-Conti, has dazzled Burgundian fanatics for years. Guests will join a panel of Master Sommeliers for a retrospective of DRC's Echezeaux.
• The 1990 First Growth Bordeaux's 20 Years Later: Guests will join a rockstar panel of Master Sommeliers and wine personalities to taste through the 1990 vintages of Château Lafite Rothschild, Château Latour, Château Margaux, Château Haut-Brion and Château Mouton Rothschild.
• Krug: A Decadent Retrospective of the Legendary Champagne with Olivier Krug: Since 1843, with unique single-mindedness and sense of purpose, the Krug family has proudly cultivated the markedly individual character of their exceptional champagne. Taste through an amazing collection of back vintage Krug Champagnes with Olivier Krug himself.
• Now an anxiously awaited tradition, the Celebrity Chef Golf Tournament kicks off the festivities with bubbly and lobster rolls (breakfast of champions).  Chefs such as Thomas Keller, Michael Symon, Charles Phan, Iron Chef Morimoto, Tim Love and Tyler Florence will drive, chip and putt their way along the most famous golf course in the U.S. - Pebble Beach Golf Links, host of the U.S. Open in June 2010.
• Special VIP Package holders have access to exclusive Chef and Winemaker Afterhours parties where they can mingle with the masters.
• Additional events of interest include: Farm to Table Lunch, Sommelier Blind Tasting and a Retrospective Tasting of Veuve Clicquot with Dominique Demarville, along with "dream teams" featuring such masterful chef collaborations as: Iron Chefs Morimoto and Symon; former "Top Chef" contestants Hosea, Jamie, Fabio and Carla; Cheese and Wine Pairing Seminar with Laura Werlin; Cooking Demos with culinary icons Thomas Keller, Ming Tsai, Jacques Pepin, Charlie Trotter, Wolfgang Puck, Michael Chiarello, Michael Symon and Tyler Florence.

Tickets:  Ticket prices per person range from $100 for a single event pass to $4,750 for a VIP four-day pass, with access to all events and exclusive after-hour parties with the chefs and winemakers. To purchase tickets to Pebble Beach Food & Wine, or for more information on ticket packages, visit www.pebblebeachfoodandwine.com or call 1-866-907-FOOD (3663).

About Pebble Beach Company: Pebble Beach Company, headquartered in Pebble Beach, California, owns and operates the world-famous Pebble Beach Resorts, including The Lodge at Pebble Beach, The Inn at Spanish Bay and Casa Palmero. The company also operates four renowned golf courses: Pebble Beach Golf Links, Spyglass Hill Golf Course, The Links at Spanish Bay and Del Monte Golf Course. Its other famed properties include the scenic 17-Mile Drive and The Spa at Pebble Beach, and it annually hosts premier events such as the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, the Callaway Golf Pebble Beach Invitational and the First Tee Open at Pebble Beach. Site of the 2010 U.S. Open, Pebble Beach Golf Links has hosted four U.S. Opens, four U.S. Amateurs, one PGA Championship, and numerous other tournaments.

About Coastal Luxury Management: Coastal Luxury Management, based in Carmel, California, is an event and hospitality management firm specializing in the luxury and lifestyle sector. Coastal Luxury Management's partners, Robert Weakley and David Bernahl, founded Pebble Beach Food & Wine in the early months of 2007. In its first year, Pebble Beach Food & Wine became the largest luxury food and wine event on the West Coast. The company also operates Harvest: Farm-to-Table, a two-day agriculture lifestyle event in Carmel Valley that attracts 4,000 guests, 100 wineries, and 60 regional chefs. Coastal Luxury Management launched its restaurant division in 2010 with its first two projects, 1833 and Cannery Row Brewing Company, opening in the summer of this year.

SOURCE Pebble Beach Company

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Shot Spirits Corporation (Pink Sheets: SSPT) is pleased to announce that the Company will be holding its Nationwide Teleconference today, Tuesday, March 16, 2010 at 4:15 PM EDT. (Eastern Daylight Time) to update the financial community on recent events that affect Shot Spirits Corporation and its shareholders. The Company will be discussing new sales opportunities and strategic partnerships it has developed over the last six months, as well as its initiatives to increase sales. If you would like to participate in the Nationwide Teleconference with Shot Spirits at 4:15 PM EDT today, please dial 1-800-871-9060, pass code 943301958#.

Shot Spirits Corporation  recently announced that the Company's Board of Directors approved a dividend of restricted common stock of Green Bridge Industries, Inc. (Pink Sheets: GRBG) for shareholders of record as of April 5, 2010, with a payment date of no later than May 5, 2010.  Shot Spirits shareholders are to receive 1 share of Green Bridge Industries, Inc. stock for every 33 shares they own of Shot Spirits Corporation, as of the Record Date; no fractional shares shall be issued. Green Bridge Industries is currently trading at approximately $.002 per share.

"This teleconference is very timely for Shot Spirits; we have accomplished many goals during the last six months that we want to share with the investment community and look forward to discussing what's next for the Company in a public forum," stated Brian Barrett, President of Shot Spirits Corporation.

The Nationwide Teleconference will be hosted and moderated by Marc Jablon, CEO of Big Apple Consulting USA. The featured speakers will be Brian Barrett, President & Director of Shot Spirits Corporation and Tammy Posten, Secretary/Treasurer & Director of Shot Spirits.

About Shot Spirits Corporation:

Shot Spirits Corporation through its two wholly owned subsidiaries, Shot Spirits International and GuestMetrics, Inc., is focused on delivering products and services to the multi-billion dollar hospitality industry. Shot Spirits, through their partnership with Beverage Pouch Group, is an innovator in the beverage industry with the flavors of the ShotPak(R) brand. ShotPak(R) Cocktails and STR8UP Spirits brands are packed in their patented "Green no Landfill" StandUp pouch with easy-tear open feature. Shot Spirits is focused on distribution in supermarkets, liquor stores, as well as bars, restaurants, and sporting venues across the globe. GuestMetrics is a data services company specializing in the collection and cleansing of data from restaurants, bars and hotels. From top-line reporting on the state of the industry to specific brand information, suppliers can access consumer spending information not only on their specific brands, but their competitors as well.

Safe Harbor Statement:

The information posted in this release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these statements by use of the words "may," "will," "should," "plans," "expects," "anticipates," "continue," "estimate," "project," "intend," and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or anticipated. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, general economic and business conditions, effects of continued geopolitical unrest and regional conflicts, competition, changes in technology and methods of marketing, delays in completing various engineering and manufacturing programs, changes in customer order patterns, changes in product mix, continued success in technological advances and delivering technological innovations, shortages in components, production delays due to performance quality issues with outsourced components, and various other factors beyond the Company's control.

SOURCE Shot Spirits Corporation

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The Four Food Studio Group, under the creative guidance of Executive Chef James McDevitt, invite you to explore a remarkable achievement in modern day gastronomy as they proudly announce the arrival of TWO Steak and Sushi Den. 

(Logo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100315/NY70561LOGO )

The successful and extraordinary union of two dramatic cultures is clearly evident in the diversity and brilliance of TWO's exciting menu.  Prime dry aged Meyer Ranch steaks, A5 true Japanese Wagyu Beef, yakitori, and an evolution of presentation from a tradition of sushi mastery are all orchestrated to deliver culinary excellence.

Is great food ever enough!... As current trends embrace the concept of matching spirits and cocktails with food, TWO has enlisted the services of Steve Olson of AKA Wine Geeks. With an appreciation for the ever expanding expectations of today's "new gourmand", Olson has created an international wine and spirits program bringing harmony and the perfect balance between these two culinary cultures.  

Clean linear lines flow throughout two levels and four distinctly unique and inviting spaces.  Meetings, seminars, special occasions or social events...From an intimate tasting at "The Chef's Table" to an elaborate wedding or social event, TWO features a variety of unique, exciting and delicious options in any of  three private dining rooms and can accommodate up to 150 plus in their function room.

State-of-the-art audio and video are featured throughout allowing for easy access Wi-Fi, PowerPoint, video presentation and independent public address speaking in any of four versatile spaces.

At a time when many are satisfied with the present, a true visionary seeks inspiration through any one who is willing to share...Owners Ray Sidhom, Jay Grossman, John Guirguis and Executive Chef James McDevitt invite you to experience for yourself, this true labor of love.

CONTACT:  Jay Grossman, 516-358-2222, jay@twoonline.com

SOURCE TWO Steak and Sushi Den

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Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market today announced 967 schools in California, Nevada and Arizona raised more than $670,000 through its second Shop for Schools program.

Public and private kindergarten through eighth grade schools located within a three-mile radius of Fresh & Easy stores were eligible to participate in the program.  Shop for Schools allowed schools that registered to receive a $1 cash donation for every $20 spent at a local Fresh & Easy store from September 15 through December 31, 2009.  The schools can use the money they raised for whatever they need most. In all, 171 schools in Arizona, 643 in California and 154 in Nevada participated in the program.  

California Secretary of Education Bonnie Reiss applauded the program: "At a time when school districts across the state are faced with difficult budget choices, it is important for companies like Fresh & Easy to step in and help," Reiss said. "We are ecstatic that Fresh & Easy is contributing more than $450,000 to California schools as part of their Shop for Schools program this year."

Fresh & Easy launched its first Shop for Schools program last school year in response to local schools' need for additional funding. Through the pilot program, schools raised more than $130,000.  This year, based on feedback from schools, Fresh & Easy increased the time schools had to raise money and added fundraising events called Shopping Nights for Schools.  During these designated evenings from 4 to 8 p.m., 5 percent of a store's sales were donated to a participating school.

"We received fantastic feedback from our pilot program and wanted to bring the program back in an even bigger and better way to help schools raise even more money," said Roberto Munoz, Fresh & Easy Director of Neighborhood Affairs. "Schools continue to struggle for funding right now and we are proud we can be part of the solution and give back to our neighbors."

Fresh & Easy plans to bring the program back again later this year and will soon start accepting registration forms from local schools.  Visit www.freshandeasy.com/shopforschools for more information.

About Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market

In addition to fresh, high-quality prepared meals and produce, Fresh & Easy offers everyone's favorite national brand products and household items, all at unbelievably low prices.  All Fresh & Easy products are made with no artificial flavors or colors, no added trans fats and only use preservatives when absolutely necessary.  Fresh & Easy stores use 30% less energy than a typical grocery store.

The company has opened 14 stores and created nearly 300 jobs so far this year.   Fresh & Easy has 146 total stores with 31 in Arizona, 89 in California and 26 in Nevada.  

For more information on Fresh & Easy, visit www.freshandeasy.com.

SOURCE Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market

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Think of St. Patrick's Day, and what comes to mind? Four-leaf clovers, leprechauns and shillelaghs, beer (No, no, not the green food coloring!), parades and, well, more beer.  All traditional and all fun, but we often overlook the great food that goes along with any true Irish St. Paddy's Day celebration. We may not all be lucky enough to have been born Irish, but thanks to Cabot, the Vermont-based dairy cooperative, we certainly can eat like we were.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090918/NE78286LOGO )

"Everyone thinks food when they talk about Thanksgiving or Christmas get-togethers," says Cabot Senior Vice President of Marketing Roberta MacDonald, "but the culinary potential of St. Patrick's Day is all too commonly ignored. Many people are just plain bored with over-done Irish foods like corned beef and cabbage, which isn't really Irish, by the way. This year, we can realize the delicious potential of traditional Irish meals, when we give them a little twist -- as we do with our Cheddar Ale Soup or Shepherd's Pie with Cheddar Crust. In fact, Cabot has created three tasty recipes in honor of St. Patrick."

"Before a night of revelry, try our warm and cheesy Cheddar Ale Soup and Cheddar Potato Cakes, featuring a flavorful trinity of Irish cooking -- potatoes, beer and Cabot cheddar," adds MacDonald.  "Highlight the meal with our Shepherd's Pie with Cheddar Crust, practice your best Irish brogue, then prepare for a night of fun."  After all, St. Patrick's is a day to celebrate all the great things about being Irish, and with a little luck in the kitchen, that will surely include the food.  

In addition to the Cheddar Ale Soup, Cheddar Potato Cakes and Shepherd's Pie with Cheddar Crust, Cabot's website offers a cook's pot of gold with an abundance of great recipes, like St. Patty's Day Grilled Cabot Cheese Sandwiches, at http://www.cabotcheese.coop/recipes

And if you're really feeling a bit o' the Irish, check out Cabot's guide to Finding Four Leaf Clovers -- free online at: http://www.cabotcheese.coop/pdf/FourLeafCloverBook.pdf

Cheddar Ale Soup

Makes 6 servings

4 slices bacon

4 tablespoons Cabot Salted Butter

1/2 cup minced onion

1/4 cup minced carrot

1/4 cup minced celery

1 small bay leaf

1/3 cup King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour

1 (12-ounce) bottle Harpoon Celtic Ale

2 1/2 cups low-fat (1%) milk

1 (14-ounce) can 99% fat-free chicken broth

1 teaspoon dry mustard

1 pound Cabot Sharp, Extra Sharp or Seriously Sharp Cheddar, grated (about 4 cups)

Salt and ground black pepper to taste.

1. In skillet or microwave, cook bacon until crisp; crumble and set aside.
2. In large saucepan over medium heat, melt butter; add onion, carrot, celery and bay leaf and cook, stirring often, until vegetables are translucent and softened, about 4 minutes.
3. Stir in flour and cook, stirring, about 3 minutes longer.
4. Gradually whisk in beer; when mixture is bubbling and thickened, whisk in milk, chicken broth and dry mustard. Bring soup to simmer, stirring often so it doesn't scorch on bottom of pan.
5. Add cheese a handful at a time; stir until cheese is melted and soup is hot, but do not let soup boil. Remove from heat, remove and discard bay leaf and season with salt and pepper.
6. Serve topped with crumbled bacon.

Nutrition Analysis

Calories 498, Total Fat 35g, Saturated Fat 19.5g, Sodium 998mg, Carbohydrates 17g, Dietary Fiber 0.5g, Protein 26g, Calcium 673mg

Cheddar Potato Cakes    

Makes 6 servings

3 large Russet potatoes (about 12 ounces each)

2 tablespoons Cabot Salted Butter, cut into pieces

6 ounces Cabot Extra Sharp or Sharp Cheddar, grated (about 1 1/2 cups)

2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives

Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Scrub potatoes and prick with fork in several places. Place on baking sheet and bake until tender, 1 to 1 1/4 hours.

2. When cool enough to handle, remove skins and place potatoes in large bowl; add butter and mash with potato masher. Mix in cheese and chives and season mixture with salt and pepper.

3. Shape mixture into six (1/2-inch-thick) cakes. Place on plate, cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.

4. Brush large skillet generously with oil and place over medium-low heat or preheat electric griddle to 325 degrees F. Cook cakes for several minutes until golden on underside; slide metal spatula carefully under each cake to release, then turn over and cook until browned on second side.

5. Turn off heat and let cakes stand for a couple of minutes to firm up slightly. Serve with bacon and eggs.

Nutrition Analysis

Calories 284, Total Fat 13g, Saturated Fat 7.5g, Sodium 227mg, Carbohydrates 33g, Dietary Fiber 3.5g, Protein 11g, Calcium 226mg

Shepherd's Pie with Cheddar Crust

Makes 6 servings

Filling:

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 carrots, peeled and diced

2 medium onions, peeled and diced

1 small white turnip, peeled and diced

1 pound ground lamb or beef

2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 tablespoon King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour

1 1/4 cups 99% fat free chicken broth, beef broth or beer, such as Harpoon Hefeweizen

1 tablespoon tomato paste

Salt and ground black pepper to taste

Topping:

2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled

4 tablespoons Cabot Salted Butter

Salt and ground white pepper to taste

2 ounces Cabot Sharp Cheddar, coarsely grated (about 1/2 cup)

This recipe can be made with either fresh minced lamb (shepherd's pie) or fresh minced beef (cottage pie).

To make filling:

1. Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and cook, stirring, until they begin to turn golden brown, about 5 minutes.

2. Add carrots and turnip and cook for another 5 minutes. Transfer vegetables to bowl and set aside.

3. Return skillet to heat and add lamb or beef; cook, breaking up meat with spoon, until very well browned. Stir in thyme and cinnamon. Return vegetables to skillet.

4. Add flour and mix in thoroughly. Gradually stir in broth or beer, then tomato paste.

5. Lower heat to maintain gentle simmer, cover skillet and let mixture simmer for about 30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

To make topping and finish pie:

1. Cut potatoes into even-sized pieces. Place in steamer set in pan of boiling water; cover and steam until tender, about 20 minutes.

2. Transfer potatoes to bowl, add butter and mash by hand or with electric whisk. Season with salt and white pepper.

3. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Spoon filling into baking dish. Spread potato mixture evenly on top. Scatter cheese over potatoes.

4. Bake for 25 minutes, or until top is golden and crusty.

Nutrition Analysis

Calories 220, Total Fat 14g, Saturated Fat 5g, Sodium 290mg, Carbohydrates 8g, Fiber 2g, Protein 15.5g, Calcium 32mg

ABOUT CABOT CREAMERY COOPERATIVE

Cabot Creamery Cooperative has been in continuous operation in Vermont since 1919, and we make a full line of cheeses, yogurt, sour cream, cottage cheese, and butter. Best known as makers of "The World's Best Cheddar," Cabot is owned by 1200 dairy farm families located throughout New England and upstate New York. For additional information on Cabot Creamery, visit http://www.cabotcheese.coop

Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click appropriate link.

Roberta MacDonald

https://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=81063

SOURCE Cabot Creamery Cooperative

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RELATED LINKS
http://www.cabotcheese.com

Starting today, USA TODAY will be available to Starbucks (Nasdaq: SBUX) customers nationwide. The newspaper will be available in the coffee company's approximately 6,500 company-operated stores across the United States.

Research* has shown that Starbucks core customers enjoy getting their news from national newspapers.  Additionally, trends show that people prefer to get their news from more sources. The offering of USA TODAY in stores not only serves to enhance the customer experience by providing more reading opportunities, but also is a direct response to consumers' trends of news consumption.

"Starbucks customers have a high level of interest in staying current in national and global affairs and often look to newspapers as their way to stay connected. We look forward to being a part of the Starbucks experience that is enjoyed by millions across the country each day," said David L. Hunke, president and publisher of USA TODAY.

"Whether it's through our customized espresso beverages or by offering multiple newspaper options in our stores, we want our customers to have the opportunity to personalize their Starbucks Experience," said Cliff Burrows, president, Starbucks Coffee U.S.   

Starbucks customers now will have a choice of USA TODAY, The New York Times, or their local newspaper.

Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting the highest quality arabica coffee in the world. Today, with stores around the globe, the company is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup. To share in the experience, please visit us in our stores or online at www.starbucks.com.

USA TODAY was founded in 1982 with a mission to serve as a forum for better understanding and unity to help make the USA truly one nation. Through its flagship newspaper and popular Web site, USA TODAY engages the national conversation and connects readers online through social media applications. USA TODAY, the nation's number one newspaper in print circulation with a total average daily print circulation of nearly 1.9 million, and USATODAY.com, an award-winning newspaper Web site which launched in 1995, reach a combined 6.1 million readers daily. The USA TODAY news and information brand also includes: USA TODAY Education, USA TODAY Mobile, and USA TODAY Sports Weekly. USA TODAY is owned by Gannett Co., Inc. ( GCI).

*Source: MRI 2009 Doublebase

SOURCE USA TODAY

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RELATED LINKS
http://www.usatoday.com

Today, Lay's potato chips, America's favorite potato chip, and a brand from PepsiCo's Frito-Lay division, launched a nationwide campaign asking Americans to help create the world's largest "Happiness Exhibit" – a digital work of art made entirely from consumer submitted photos that showcase simple happy moments.  Beginning today through May 31, 2010 people can visit the exhibit at www.lays.com to continually upload and view the growing collage that collectively celebrates simple happiness in America.

"Our consumers understand a basic truth – that the happiest moments in our lives are truly the simple ones.  And science has proven that happiness is contagious," explains Gannon Jones, vice president, portfolio marketing, Frito-Lay North America.  "This insight inspired us to create the 'Happiness Exhibit' as a way to spotlight the moments of simple happiness that people treasure most.  And there's no better medium than photography – everyone has a photo in their collection that captures a happy moment."

From the online exhibit, select photos will be chosen to be featured on millions of Lay's potato chip bags sold nationwide, and in commemorative ads in issues of PEOPLE magazine.  Pictures contending for a special Mother's Day advertising spread in the May 10th issue of PEOPLE magazine can be uploaded now until March 31, 2010.  Photos for a special American Summer-themed spread running in the May 24th dated book can be uploaded between April 1 and 18, 2010.  In addition, visitors to the exhibit can also interact with fun applications such as Smile-O-Grams, video e-cards and wallpapers.

"The Lay's brand is inviting Americans to share their special moments with us – so that we can share them with others," Jones added.  "We're excited to provide national stages such as the pages of PEOPLE magazine, and on millions of our potato chip bags to share happiness and help it grow."

To help kick-off the "Happiness Exhibit," a Lay's "Simple Happiness" truck traveled around New York City on National Potato Chip Day (Sunday, March 14) delivering 10,000 free bags of Lay's potato chips to New Yorkers at iconic locations including Times Square, Herald Square, Bryant Park and Central Park.  

The Lay's brand began a repositioning in early 2009 that introduced a new theme line, "Happiness is Simple," designed to uniquely celebrate the brand, its place in people's lives and its role in bringing people together for life's simple pleasures.  The campaign highlights the simplicity of Lay's potato chips at a time when consumers are looking for simplicity.  The foundation message, "Happiness is Simple," also echoes the simplicity of the Lay's potato chip product ingredients, which include just potatoes, all-natural oil and a dash of salt.

HAPPINESS AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY THE NUMBERS

Photos were specifically chosen as the vehicle for delivering happiness in this campaign because they are so ubiquitous:

• More than 70 percent of all Americans own a digital camera, and take on average 28 photos per month.  Eighty-five percent of photos taken are uploaded to computers, and 64 percent of Americans use a photo-sharing / storage site (Source: Forrester Research, March 2009).

Science has shown that happiness is indeed contagious:

• A 2009 book by Harvard Medical School professor Nicholas Christakis and University of California, San Diego political scientist James Fowler found that within your social network, the happiness of someone with whom you have frequent contact increases the likelihood of your happiness by 15 percent.  Additionally:
• Happy spouses provide an eight percent happiness boost, while, surprisingly, a happy next-door neighbor made you 34 percent more likely to be happy.  
• Within social networks, each additional happy friend increases a person's probability of being happy by about nine percent.

PARTNERS

Flickr, a division of Yahoo! and the world's leading photo-sharing site with more than 4 million photos uploaded daily, is serving as the technology partner for the "Happiness Exhibit" campaign.  Flickr's back-end technology will be used to power the "Happiness Exhibit" photo upload process.  Additionally, there's a sponsored Lay's "Happiness Exhibit" group on Flickr (www.flickr.com/groups/layshappiness). 

Outreach with media partner PEOPLE magazine includes online activities, as well as three major advertising spreads featuring the "Happiness Exhibit" launch, Mother's Day and American Summer celebrations.  iVillage also is serving as a "Happiness Exhibit" partner, with Lay's using iVillage ambassadors and stewards to spread the word, while also taping into audiences within iVillage to drive photos submissions.

The "Happiness Exhibit" is supported by multiple agency partners, including Juniper Park (advertising) OMD (media buying), Ketchum (public relations), The Marketing Arm (in-store) and Fanscape (word of mouth).

Frito-Lay North America is the $12 billion convenient foods business unit of PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP), which is headquartered in Purchase, NY.  In addition to Frito-Lay, PepsiCo business units include Pepsi-Cola, Quaker Foods, Gatorade and Tropicana.  Learn more about Frito-Lay at the corporate Web site, http://www.fritolay.com/, the Snack Chat blog, http://www.snacks.com/ and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/fritolay.

PepsiCo offers the world's largest portfolio of billion-dollar food and beverage brands, including 18 different product lines that each generate more than $1 billion in annual retail sales.  Our main businesses – Frito-Lay, Quaker, Pepsi-Cola, Tropicana and Gatorade – also make hundreds of other nourishing, tasty foods and drinks that bring joy to our consumers in over 200 countries.  With more than $43 billion in 2008 revenues, PepsiCo employs 198,000 people who are united by our unique commitment to sustainable growth, called Performance with Purpose.  By dedicating ourselves to offering a broad array of choices for healthy, convenient and fun nourishment, reducing our environmental impact, and fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace culture, PepsiCo balances strong financial returns with giving back to our communities worldwide.  For more information, please visit www.pepsico.com.

SOURCE Frito-Lay North America

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RELATED LINKS
http://www.lays.com
http://www.fritolay.com
http://www.pepsico.com

Further advancing into a solid, profitable and industry-leading corporation, LIMU, based in Florida, today announced a brand transformation for 2010.   With aggressive marketing, public relations and expansion initiatives, LIMU will unveil a preview of the LIMU 2K10 campaign at their upcoming international convention March 19 – 20, 2010 in Dallas, Texas.

(Logo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100312/FL69564LOGO )

"LIMU has proven itself as a profitable and debt free enterprise over the past six years, providing a significant business opportunity for our formidable independent Members around the world," said Gary J. Raser, President and CEO. "To this day, our mantra remains SOLID, STABLE, SUCCESSFUL… now we've just added BIGGER, BETTER, STRONGER to our position in the industry." According to Raser, LIMU spent its successful formative years focused on a true entrepreneurial, direct sales style – word of mouth – while its current initiatives go far beyond that approach.  

As part of the brand transformation, the company's flagship product, Original Limu™, will be changed to LIMU Original™, building on consumer interest in Fucoidan's significant health benefits.  At the forefront of Fucoidan product development, LIMU is championing current information and emerging science in an upcoming consumer education campaign. The company will diversify its products, leading the Fucoidan supplement category.

"Today more than ever, LIMU is the rising star in the direct sales industry behind our vigorous energy and commitment to each one of our Members," said Ryan Barson, Vice President of Business Development.  "The LIMU 2K10 campaign is all about sharing that energy, and the new LIMU marketing and sales strategies give our Members the chance to leverage and harness new opportunities."  Barson also mentioned the company would be making several additional strategic announcements over the coming months.  

About LIMU™

LIMU is an established global nutritional company solely focused on marketing the rich health benefits of marine bioactive, Fucoidan.  Employing a direct sales business model, LIMU continues to expand its network of Members in more than 20 countries, with tens of millions of dollars in commissions paid annually. Based in Florida, LIMU is an industry leading home-based business opportunity, helping people to enjoy a higher quality of life. For more information on LIMU and its exclusive Fucoidan product formulas, please visit www.thelimucompany.com.

SOURCE LIMU

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RELATED LINKS
http://www.thelimucompany.com

Drawing upon more than 40 years of tea expertise and commitment to innovation, Celestial Seasonings®, a brand of The Hain Celestial Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: HAIN), has created the first raw, organic Kombucha that is naturally enhanced with functional ingredients to provide specific wellness benefits.  Launching today at the Natural Products Expo West Trade Show, each of the five fermented tea beverages features a distinctive blend of fruits, herbs and botanicals and a light effervescence, resulting in exceptional flavor that shatters Kombucha's perceived taste barrier.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100312/NY69734 )

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050324/NYTH131 )

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100105/NY32400LOGO )

"Celestial Seasonings is once again leading innovation within the tea category by offering a more flavorful and functional Kombucha than is currently available," said Peter Burns, General Manager of Celestial Seasonings. "Kombucha has gained a small but loyal following thanks to its health- and wellness-supporting qualities, but we've enhanced its palatability and appeal so that more people can enjoy its nutritional benefits."

Celestial Seasonings is the first brand to augment Kombucha's naturally occurring enzymes, probiotics and antioxidants with all-natural functional ingredients that provide an additional targeted wellness boost. Beginning in April, the new line will be available at Whole Foods Market and other natural foods stores in five flavorful, functional varieties with a suggested retail price of $2.99 to $3.49 for one 16-ounce bottle.

Available varieties include:

• Digestion: Meyer Lemon Ginger – contains prebiotics and ginger to support digestive health and meyer lemon for a sweet-tart taste
• Antioxidant: Superfruit – contains Vitamin C to support immunity and well-being and acai, goji and pomegranate for a rich flavor
• Metabolism: Berry Guava – contains green tea extract and B-vitamins to support healthy metabolism and huckleberry, blueberry and guava for tangy sweetness
• Energy: Pomelo Citrus – contains B-vitamins and ginseng to maintain healthy energy levels and pomelo for a unique citrus taste
• Super Green: Tropical Blend – contains spirulina for concentrated green food nutrients and mango and other flavors for a temptingly tropical taste

Kombucha can be traced back more than 2,000 years to Russia, the Himalayas and the Far East. To make Kombucha, a special live culture called a SCOBY (short for "symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast") is added to a combination of organic brewed tea and sugar. After fermentation, live and raw Kombuchas like Celestial Seasonings Kombucha contain naturally occurring probiotic organisms and acids that may promote gastrointestinal health and enhance and maintain vitality.

Visit www.CelestialSeasoningsKombucha.com to learn more about Celestial Seasonings Kombucha.  

Celestial Seasonings

Celestial Seasonings, a brand of The Hain Celestial Group, creates delicious, all-natural specialty teas that offer a variety of extraordinary tea-drinking experiences. Each of the more than 70 flavors is expertly crafted using only the highest quality 100 percent natural herbs, teas, spices and fruits to produce fresh, delicious tea blends. For 40 years, Celestial Seasonings has blended unique and healthful herb, green, white, black, red, Chai and wellness teas, each adorned with beautiful imagery and inspiring words and designed to delight your palate, nourish your body and feed your mind and spirit. For more information, visit www.celestialseasonings.com.

The Hain Celestial Group

The Hain Celestial Group (Nasdaq: HAIN), headquartered in Melville, NY, is a leading natural and organic products company in North America and Europe. Hain Celestial participates in many natural categories with well-known brands that include Celestial Seasonings®, Earth's Best®, Terra®, Garden of Eatin'®, Health Valley®, Arrowhead Mills®, MaraNatha®, SunSpire®, DeBoles®, Gluten Free Cafe™, Hain Pure Foods®, Hollywood®, Spectrum Naturals®, Spectrum Essentials®, Walnut Acres Organic®, Imagine®, Rice Dream®, Soy Dream®, Rosetto®, Ethnic Gourmet®, WestSoy®, Yves Veggie Cuisine®, Granose®, Realeat®, Linda McCartney®, Daily Bread™, Lima®, Grains Noirs®, Natumi®, JASON®, Zia® Natural Skincare, Avalon Organics®, Alba Botanica®, Queen Helene®, Tushies®, TenderCare® and Martha Stewart Clean™. Hain Celestial has been providing "A Healthy Way of Life™" since 1993. For more information, visit www.hain-celestial.com.

SOURCE The Hain Celestial Group, Inc.

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RELATED LINKS
http://www.hain-celestial.com

Hours before the Opening Ceremonies of the Paralympics today, elected officials, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and Sodexo workers called on VANOC (the Vancouver Organizing Committee) to investigate Sodexo's behavior during the Winter Olympics.

Threatening to mar the spirit and success of the Winter Olympics and Paralympics in Vancouver, reports are surfacing of Sodexo's mistreatment of its employees during the Winter Olympics, including potential cases of unpaid overtime, failure to adequately train workers for the jobs they were asked to perform, and not providing workers adequate food and drink while working.

The story of Snezana (Ana) Stefanovic, a resident of Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, who was hired by Sodexo to be a job-counter attendant, was read to the crowd: "I was hired to take on a concierge role, but Sodexo switched me to the kitchen instead. I asked to receive proper food safety training before I handled the athletes' food, but Sodexo refused, and then fired me."

A letter was sent to VANOC today, said Maya Bhullard, SEIU researcher, asking for an investigation of Sodexo's behavior. The letter listed a number of claims from some of the 900 workers that Sodexo hired for the Olympics and Paralympics. These charges included failure to pay for time spent in training, late and absent paychecks, unpaid overtime, rationing of food and water, insufficient break time, and failure to provide food safety training adequate for the tasks workers were asked to perform.

Raj Chouhan, the Official Opposition Critic for Labour and Member of the Legislative Assembly for Burnaby-Edmonds, called for the provincial government to investigate Sodexo's behavior. He noted that the workers' issues uncovered by SEIU were possible violations of British Columbia's Employment Standards Act. "The Liberal government and VANOC should have ensured these workers received all the protections they were entitled to under our Employment Standards Act - and any violations of these rights should be fully investigated, and not left to the workers to try to solve on their own."

Vancouver City Councillor, Raymond Louie, joined with SEIU Local 2 Branch Local 244 President Mike McDonald in raising concern over Sodexo's mistreatment of workers. "The Olympics were an extraordinary event for our city. The workers who provided service during the Games helped to make them a success and need to be treated fairly."

With 2.2 million members in Canada, the United States and Puerto Rico, SEIU is the fastest-growing union in the Americas. Focused on uniting workers in healthcare, public services and property services, SEIU members are winning better wages, healthcare and more secure jobs for our communities, while uniting their strength with their counterparts around the world to help ensure that workers not just corporations and CEOs benefit from today's global economy.

SOURCE SEIU

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Reportlinker.com announces that a new market research report is available in its catalogue:

Global Bread Industry

http://www.reportlinker.com/p0181119/Global-Bread-Industry.html

This report analyzes the worldwide markets for Bread in US$ Million. The report provides separate comprehensive analytics for US, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of World. Annual forecasts are provided for each region for the period 2007 through 2015. Also, a six-year historic analysis is provided for these markets. The report profiles 493 companies including many key and niche players worldwide such as Associated British Foods Plc, Allied Bakeries, Barilla Holding Societa per Azioni, Barilla Holding Societa per Azioni, Fletchers Group of Bakeries, Flowers Bakeries, Inc., Frank Roberts & Sons Ltd., Franz Family Bakeries, Greggs plc, Grupo Bimbo S.A. de C.V., Bimbo Bakeries USA, Mrs. Baird's Bakeries, Inc., George Weston Bakeries Inc., Interstate Bakeries Corporation, La Brea Bakery Corporate, Martin's Famous Pastry Shoppe, Inc., Pepperidge Farm, Inc., Premier Foods plc, Sara Lee Corporation, Warburtons, Ltd., William Jackson Food Group Limited, and Jackson's Bakery. Market data and analytics are derived from primary and secondary research. Company profiles are mostly extracted from URL research and reported select online sources.

BREAD MCP-6208

A GLOBAL STRATEGIC BUSINESS REPORT

CONTENTS

I. INTRODUCTION, METHODOLOGY & PRODUCT DEFINITIONS

Study Reliability and Reporting Limitations I-1

Disclaimers I-2

Data Interpretation & Reporting Level I-3

Quantitative Techniques & Analytics I-3

Product Definitions and Scope of Study I-3

II. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1. INDUSTRY OVERVIEW II-1

Introduction II-1

Market Outlook II-1

Asia: An Emerging Market for Bread II-1

Dragonland: An Emerging Haven for Bread Manufacturers II-2

Brown Bag Lunches Drive Bread Demand II-3

Whole Grain Based Baked Goods Rise in Popularity II-3

Rising Demand for Artisan Breads II-3

Changing Dynamics of the Baking Products Industry II-4

Factors that Influence Baking Products Industry II-4

Price - A Key Factor II-4

2. PRODUCT OVERVIEW II-6

Introduction II-6

Bread: Nutritional Value Per 100 grams II-6

Bread Composition II-7

Flour II-7

Liquids II-7

Leavening Process II-8

Fats or Shortenings II-9

Bread Improvers II-9

Categories of Bread II-9

White Bread II-9

Wholemeal Bread II-9

Kibbled and Multigrain Bread II-9

Fruit Bread II-10

Rye Bread II-10

Hearth Bread II-10

Sourdough Bread II-11

Flat Breads II-11

Bagels II-12

Packaged and Unpackaged Breads II-12

Various Shapes of Bread II-12

Research and Development II-12

3. PRODUCT LAUNCHES/DEVELOPMENTS II-14

Lantmannen Launches Soft Dough Frozen Breadstix II-14

Weston Bakeries Introduces Wonder+Headstart Co-Branded with

MEG-3® II-14

Franz Bakery Introduces Two New Bread Varieties II-14

4. RECENT INDUSTRY ACTIVITY II-15

Nicholas & Harris Acquires Goswell Enterprises II-15

Britannia Snaps Up Daily Bread II-15

Campbell Soup Buys Ecce Panis II-15

Flowers Foods Takes Over Leo's Foods II-15

Fazer Takes Over Lantmannen's Fresh Bread Business II-16

Grupo Bimbo Buys George Weston Bakeries II-16

Pennant Foods to Buy General Mills' Frozen Bread Dough Business II-16

Himalya to Establish Agro Processing Unit II-16

Fine Lady Bakeries to Establish New Plant II-17

Mrs Baird's to Close Manufacturing Facility at Waco II-17

Sara Lee Divests Three Bakery Units in Spain II-17

Hain Completes the Acquisition of Daily Bread II-17

CAPEXIT Takes Over BREAD & CO.. II-18

Eurogerm Snaps Up LEAG Group II-18

Organic To Go Buys a Store of Marvelous Market II-18

Flowers Foods Takes Over ButterKrust Bakery II-18

Vivartia to Buy Nonni's Food II-19

Lantmannen Unibake Snaps Up Eurobuns II-19

Flowers Foods Merges with Holsum II-19

Leoville Holdings Takes Over ACE Bakery II-19

Lantmannen Unibake Takes Over Euro-Bake II-19

Vandemoortele Acquires Panavi II-19

Pasco Forms Joint Venture with Ting Hsin II-20

Aldi Agrees to Sell Himalya's Products II-20

Fazer Group to Establish Bread Production Unit in Russia II-20

LNK Takes Over Au Bon Pain II-20

Bakers Delight Plans Expansion II-20

Lantmannen Sells Swedish Fresh Bread Business II-21

Canada Bread Acquires La Fornaia II-21

Group BCS Snaps Up Majority Stake in Boulangerie II-21

Lancaster Buys Marshall Biscuit II-21

Alpha Baking Purchases Natural Ovens Bakery II-21

5. FOCUS ON SELECT GLOBAL PLAYERS II-22

Associated British Foods Plc (UK) II-22

Allied Bakeries (UK) II-22

Barilla Holding Societa per Azioni (Italy) II-22

Fine Lady Bakeries (UK) II-22

Fletchers Group of Bakeries (UK) II-23

Flowers Bakeries, Inc. (US) II-23

Frank Roberts & Sons Ltd (UK) II-23

Franz Family Bakeries (US) II-23

Greggs plc (UK) II-23

Grupo Bimbo S.A. de C.V. (Mexico) II-24

Bimbo Bakeries USA (US) II-24

Mrs. Baird's Bakeries, Inc. (US) II-24

George Weston Bakeries Inc. (US) II-24

Interstate Bakeries Corporation (US) II-25

La Brea Bakery Corporate (US) II-25

Martin's Famous Pastry Shoppe, Inc. (US) II-25

Pepperidge Farm, Inc. (US) II-26

Premier Foods plc (UK) II-26

Sara Lee Corporation (US) II-26

Warburtons, Ltd. (UK) II-26

William Jackson Food Group Limited (UK) II-26

Jackson's Bakery (UK) II-27

6. GLOBAL MARKET PERSPECTIVE II-28

Table 1: World Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for

Bread by Geographic Region - US, Canada, Japan, Europe,

Asia-Pacific and Rest of World Markets Independently Analyzed

with Annual Sales Figures in US$ Million for Years 2007

through 2015 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-28

Table 2: World Historic Perspective for Bread by Geographic

Region - US, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of

World Markets Independently Analyzed with Annual Sales Figures

in US$ Million for Years 2001 through 2006 (includes

corresponding Graph/Chart) II-29

Table 3: World 12-Year Perspective for Bread by Geographic

Region - Percentage Breakdown of Dollar Sales for US, Canada,

Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of World Markets for

Years 2003, 2009 & 2015 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) II-30

III. MARKET

1. THE UNITED STATES III-1

A.Market Analysis III-1

Overview III-1

Rising Demand for Natural Products III-1

Food and Beverages Market Resilient Against Recession III-2

Varied Perception for Value Proposition of Products III-2

Bread Consumption III-2

Bread Production III-2

Table 4: US Bread Market: Production Volume of Bread in

Million Pounds for the Years 2006 through 2009 (includes

corresponding Graph/Chart) III-3

Retailing Mix III-3

Distribution Flow Chart III-4

Table 5: Leading Bread Suppliers in the US Market (2007 &

2008): Percentage Breakdown of Retail Sales by Company -

Sara Lee Bakery, George Weston Bakeries, Flower Foods

Bakeries Group, Interstate Brands Corp., Bimbo Bakeries

USA, Pepperidge Farm, Inc., Stroehmann Bakeries, Inc., La

Brea Bakery, Inc., United States Bakery, Private Label and

Others (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-5

Table 6: Leading Brands in the US Fresh Bread Market

(2008): Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales by Brand -

Pepperidge Farm, Sara Lee, Nature's Own, Oroweat, Arnold,

Wonder, Brownberry, Stroehmann, Sunbeam-Flr Fds,

Freihofer, Private Label Brands and Others (includes

corresponding Graph/Chart) III-6

Table 7: Leading Brands in the US Fresh Bread Market

(2008): Percentage Breakdown of Volume Sales by Brand -

Sara Lee, Nature's Own, Pepperidge Farm, Wonder, Oroweat,

Arnold, Sunbeam-Flr Fds, Stroehmann, Brownberry,

Freihofer, Private Label Brands and Others (includes

corresponding Graph/Chart) III-6

Export/Import Statistics III-7

Table 8: US Exports of Crisp Bread (2008): Percentage

Breakdown of Export Value by Destination Country - Canada,

Germany, Mexico, Ireland, Hong Kong and Others (includes

corresponding Graph/Chart) III-7

Table 9: US Imports of Crisp Bread (2007 & 2008):

Percentage Breakdown of Import Value by Source Country -

Germany, Sweden, UK, Norway, Finland, Australia, Japan,

Italy, Mexico, Israel and Others (includes corresponding

Graph/Chart) III-7

Product Launch III-8

Strategic Corporate Developments III-8

Key Players III-10

B.Market Analytics III-13

Table 10: US Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for

Bread - Annual Sales Figures in US$ Million for Years 2007

through 2015 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-13

Table 11: US Historic Perspective for Bread - Annual Sales

Figures in US$ Million for Years 2001 through 2006

(includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-13

2. CANADA III-14

A.Market Analysis III-14

Current and Future Analysis III-14

Trade Statistics III-14

Table 12: Canadian Exports of Crisp Bread (2008):

Percentage Breakdown of Export Value by Leading Destination

Countries - US, UK, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Japan and

Others (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-14

Table 13: Canadian Imports of Crisp Bread (2007 & 2008):

Percentage Breakdown of Import Value by Leading Source

Countries - US, UK, Germany, Finland, Sweden, Italy,

India, Norway, Japan, France and Others (includes

corresponding Graph/Chart) III-15

Product Launch III-15

Strategic Corporate Development III-16

B.Market Analytics III-16

Table 14: Canadian Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis

for Bread - Annual Sales Figures in US$ Million for Years

2007 through 2015 (includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-16

Table 15: Canadian Historic Perspective for Bread - Annual

Sales Figures in US$ Million for Years 2001 through 2006

(includes corresponding Graph/Chart) III-17