CAMDEN, NJ, December 8, 2008 – This holiday season, the number of Americans who need help putting food on the table is even tougher in these economic times. That’s why the V8® brand has teamed up with Feeding America’s National Produce Program to help provide more than 30 million servings of fresh vegetables and fruit to those in need. The national Make Every Serving Count™ campaign will help make it easier for Americans living at risk of hunger to obtain nutrient-rich fresh produce in their diet.
The USDA estimates that there are 35 million Americans who are food insecure – meaning that they do not always know where they will find their next meal. Phil Zepeda, Vice President of Communications at Feeding America says the timing couldn’t be better for this partnership, as they look to continue supporting initiatives like their National Produce Program, launched last year to help supply produce to food pantries across the country.
“Our approach to hunger is that it’s not just about feeding people, it’s about providing them with the best nourishment possible,” said Zepeda. “This partnership with V8 will help to preserve our mission, as we put millions of servings of fresh produce on family tables across America.”
‘Tis the Season to Make A DifferenceThrough February 2009, purchasing V8® 100% juices and Campbell’s® V8® soup will help support the brand’s $1 million donation, which will provide more than 30 million servings of fresh produce. With each dollar donated, Feeding America can provide a full week’s worth of vegetables for one person. Additionally, individuals can give in a variety of other ways, including:
V8: Simple Solutions to Close the Vegetable GapResearch shows vegetables are essential to good health, helping to reduce risk factors for heart disease, diabetes and even help with weight management. Yet seven out of ten Americans don’t get enough.¹ This is especially prevalent among those most in need.
“As a leader in providing authentic vegetable nutrition, supporting Feeding America’s National Produce Program is an important step in our long-term journey to bridge the vegetable consumption gap,” said Greg Dolan, Senior Brand Manager, V8 Beverages. “Our goal is to ensure everyone has the ability to get more vegetables every day so we can help to promote better health for all Americans.”
For more than 75 years V8 has been committed to providing simple, innovative solutions to help consumers increase their daily vegetable intake. Today the portfolio of great-tasting, convenient products includes V8 100% vegetable juice, which provides two servings (1 cup) of vegetables in every 8-ounce glass, and V8 V-Fusion® 100% juice, a blend of vegetables and fruit juices with a sweeter taste, which provides a full serving of vegetables and a full serving of fruit in every 8-ounce glass. This year the brand also introduced new Campbell’s V8 soups, which provide a full serving of vegetables in every bowl.
For more information about the V8 Make Every Serving Count program and V8 products, visit www.V8counts.com.
About Feeding America (formerly named America’s Second Harvest)Feeding America is the largest charitable domestic hunger-relief organization in the United States. Through its network of more than 200 member food banks, Feeding America annually provides assistance to more than 25 million people in need, including more than 9 million children and nearly 3 million seniors in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
Each year, Feeding America secures and distributes more than 2 billion pounds of donated food and grocery products to support feeding programs at approximately 63,000 local charitable agencies, including food pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, after-school programs, and Kids Cafes. To learn more, please visit www.feedingamerica.org.
About Campbell Soup Company Campbell Soup Company is a global manufacturer and marketer of high-quality foods and simple meals, including soup, baked snacks, and healthy beverages. Founded in 1869, the company has a portfolio of market-leading brands, including “Campbell’s,” “Pepperidge Farm,” “Arnott’s,” and “V8.” For more information on the company, visit Campbell’s website at www.campbellsoup.com.
¹Casagrande SS, Wang Y, Anderson C, Gary TL. Have Americans Increased their Fruit and Vegetable Intake? The Trends Between 1988 and 2002. Am J Prev Med 2007; 32:257-63
CONTACT:Juli Mandel Sloves Campbell Soup Company 856-342-3717 [email protected]
Sarah KittelWeber Shandwick 312-988-2043[email protected]