Oroweat(R) Extends U.S. Olympic Team Partnership

FORT WORTH, Texas, Dec. 19 /PRNewswire/ — Oroweat, the nation’s leading producer of wholesome variety breads and buns, announced today it is renewing its agreement as the official bread supplier of the U.S. Olympic Team.

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“We are thrilled with the success of Team USA at this year’s Olympic Games,” said Reid Stinnett, Senior Vice President of Marketing. “Our association with the U.S. Olympic Team has been a natural fit for the Oroweat brand, which focuses on good health and promotes a healthy active lifestyle.”

Under the agreement, Oroweat is the official bread supplier to the U.S. Olympic Team. The new agreement extends Oroweat’s relationship with the U.S. Team through 2012. The company first became an official supplier in 2004 and provides bread products to the U.S. Olympic Training Centers in Colorado Springs, CO and Chula Vista, CA.

“Oroweat is proud to be part of something as big and meaningful as the U.S. Olympic Team,” added Stinnett. “The spirit of the Olympic movement is unparalleled not only in the scope of the athletic contests, but also in the values and positive messages it sends to millions of excited fans. Oroweat is on a special team and is already looking ahead to continuing to support the U.S. Olympic Team in Vancouver (2010) and London (2012).”

Oroweat supports its U.S. Olympic programs with television, special packaging, in-store merchandising, consumer and web based promotions. The latest program invited consumers to log on to the Oroweat Web site (www.oroweat.com) to “Gear Up for the Gold”, an opportunity for consumers to redeem points for Oroweat Team USA Olympic gear.

Oroweat has also sponsored several athletes, supporting their unwavering dedication to achievement. 2008 athletes include gold medalists Shawn Johnson, Aaron Peirsol, and Brendan Hansen.

“Oroweat shares many values with the U.S. Olympic Team such as the importance of health and wellness and encouraging an active lifestyle and we feel this partnership reinforces those core messages,” said Jim Scherr, USOC Chief Executive Officer. “Their bread products fit perfectly into the Performance Nutrition menu served at our Olympic Training centers.”

Designed by the U.S. Olympic Committee’s leading nutritionists, the Performance Nutrition plan focuses on the quality of food, ensuring that all athletes – no matter their energy and nutritional needs – can achieve optimal performance. The USOC recommends that athletes consume a combination of whole grains, lean proteins, heart-healthy fats, and antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables. Each item featured in the USOC’s Performance Nutrition menu is chosen for its role in promoting a healthy immune system and fuelling for optimal performance and recovery.

“Carbohydrates and whole grains are the ultimate source of energy for our bodies and our brains. Whole grains are rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals that promote optimal heart and digestive health,” said Adam Korzun, MS, RD, LDN, dietitian for the USOC. “Eating whole grains and at least 30 grams of fiber each day not only provide the important fuel source for training and competition, but will help stabilize blood sugar levels, and refuel your body and mind.”

The USOC Performance Nutrition plan is based on the American Heart Association Eating Plan for Healthy Americans, the United States Department of Agriculture Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and sports nutrition research studies that correlate certain foods and energy sources with enhanced performance and recovery.

About Oroweat

Oroweat products are produced by Bimbo Bakeries USA (BBU). BBU operates 13 bakeries and distributes leading brands such as Oroweat(R), Mrs Baird’s(R), Tia Rosa(R), Francisco(R), Bimbo(R) and Marinela(R). BBU operates approximately 3,000 sales routes, is headquartered in Fort Worth and is the U.S. Division of Mexico’s Grupo Bimbo, one of the world’s largest baking companies with over 97,000 associates and operations in 18 countries throughout the Americas, Asia and Europe. Its stock has been trading on the Mexican Stock Exchange since 1980 under the ticker BIMBO.

About the USOC

The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) is recognized by the International Olympic Committee as the sole entity in the United States whose mission involves training, entering and underwriting the full expenses for the U.S. teams in the Olympic, Paralympic, Pan American and Parapan American Games. In addition to being the steward of the U.S. Olympic Movement, the USOC is the moving force for support of sports in the United States that are on the program of the Olympic, Paralympic, Pan American and Parapan American Games. Learn more about the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams and the USOC at www.teamusa.org.

SOURCE Oroweat