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News and Media

For Immediate Release

September 3, 2009

Anne Moulin
Weber Shandwick, For Stop & Shop
Phone: 617-520-7126
Email: ammoulin@webershandwick.com

 

Stop & Shop and Breyers® Ice Cream Team-up to Strike Out Childhood Hunger

Donations Made to Feeding America and Local Food Banks Aim to Support America's Children as They Head Back to School

(QUINCY, MASS.) SEPTEMBER 3, 2009 - Stop & Shop and Breyers® today announced a partnership to raise $100,000 for Feeding America and its local member food banks through several initiatives planned throughout September, which is Hunger Action Month.

More than nine million children are estimated to be served by Feeding America, representing nearly 13 percent of all children under age 18 in the United States. Research indicates that even mild undernutrition experienced by young children during critical periods of growth impacts their behavior, school performance and overall cognitive development.

"Through these community events and programs in our stores, we're not only raising much needed money for the cause, but also educating consumers about the seriousness of childhood hunger," says Faith Weiner, director of public affairs at Stop & Shop. "We are making it easy for our customers to give back in ways they may not have been able to do otherwise."

There are three ways customers can help contribute to the cause.

  • Breyers® Ice Cream and Stop & Shop are donating $100,000 for Feeding America and its local member food banks. Buy specially marked "Fight Childhood Hunger" Breyers® All Natural Vanilla Ice Cream packaging at your local Stop & Shop and help support Feeding America Programs that provide food to children and their families in our community. Twenty-five percent of the total donation will stay with Feeding America for national efforts and the rest will be distributed to area food banks.
  • Cheer on your favorite team - Through a partnership with the Red Sox Radio Network, The Mets Radio Network and the Orioles Radio Network, Breyers® Ice Cream will donate $100 to Feeding America and local member food banks for every "strike-out" pitch.
  • Treat yourself - On Sept. 26, Join Breyers® and Stop &Shop for a Popsicle® Party! Donate $1 for a Popsicle® and 100% of the funds will be donated to local area food banks through Stop & Shop's Family Foundation. Through this event and other in-store promotions, an estimated additional ($20,000) will be raised for hunger relief.

"With today's struggling economy, millions of children in our nation are living with or on the brink of hunger. Every day we hear stories about families who were once donating to our food banks, but are now finding that they need help feeding their families," said Vicki Escarra, president and CEO of Feeding America. "We are excited to partner with Stop & Shop and Breyers® during this September's Hunger Action Month to continue fighting this national epidemic."

The efforts of the partnership are a part of this year's program with Stop & Shop Family Foundation, which was created to support educational and recreational programs for children across the Stop & Shop community. The Family Foundation has raised more than $5 million dollars for children's programs and charities since its inception in 2003. For more information on Stop & Shop visit www.stopandshop.com.

About Stop & Shop
The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company, headquartered in Quincy, Mass., employs more than 59,000 associates and operates stores throughout Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, New Hampshire, New York and New Jersey. The company is a member of the US Green Building Council and has been awarded LEED (EB) certifications for 50 of its existing stores. Stop & Shop has been recognized by the EPA for the superior energy management of its stores and is also a member of the EPA's Smart Way program.

About Feeding America (Formerly America's Second Harvest - The Nation's Food Bank Network)
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 25 million Americans each year, including 9 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 www.feedingamerica.org

About Unilever
Unilever's mission is to add vitality to life. We meet everyday needs for nutrition, hygiene and personal care with brands that help people feel good, look good and get more out of life. Each day, around the world, consumers make 160 million decisions to purchase Unilever products.

In the United States, the portfolio includes major brand icons such as: Axe, Ben & Jerry's, Bertolli, Breyers®, Caress, Country Crock, Degree, Dove personal care products, Hellmann's, Klondike, Knorr, Lipton, Popsicle, Promise, Q-Tips, Skippy, Slim-Fast, Suave, Sunsilk and Vaseline. All of the preceding brand names are registered trademarks of the Unilever Group of Companies. Dedicated to serving consumers and the communities where we live, work and play, Unilever employs nearly 12,000 people in both the United States and Puerto Rico - generating nearly $10 billion in sales in 2008. For more information, visit www.unileverusa.com.