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Giant Partners With Produce for Kids to Promote Healthier Eating Habits and Benefit Local Children's Hospitals; New Interactive Club Inspires Families to Get Healthy and Give Hope

Posted on: Friday, 12 May 2006, 09:07 CDT

Nearly 130 Giant Food Stores and Martin's Food Markets are participating in this year's Produce for Kids (R) (PFK), the program that promotes the importance of adding more fruits and vegetables to children's daily diets plus raises funds for Children's Miracle Network hospitals serving local communities.

PFK has added two exciting elements to the program this year, a noted nutritional expert and an interactive healthy kid's club.

"We are excited about our new partnership with Connie Evers, M.S., R.D., an award-winning author and kids' nutrition authority, who will present creative ways to promote better eating habits to youngsters of all ages," said John Shuman, president of Shuman Produce and founder of PFK. Evers, a parent of three and the author of How to Teach Nutrition to Kids (Publisher - 24 Carrot Press), will appear in select markets throughout the campaign to promote "playing with your food." Making edible objects of art from produce and other perishable foods encourages youngsters to eat more fruits and vegetables while having fun, according to Evers. Her newest book, Good for YOU!, is a nutrition/health book and game geared towards children, ages 6 - 9, which will be released this summer (Disney Publishing).

Also new this year is the PFK Healthy Kids Club, available online May 14 through June 30, 2006, prompting children, as well as parents, to "get healthy and give hope." Recommended activities encourage club members to purchase sponsors' products, create fun recipes and interact with PFK's educational section of the web site.

Each time a club member completes an activity, their name will be entered into the Grand Prize Drawing for a family vacation for four to the winner's choice of sunny Orlando, Fla. (home of Walt Disney World (R), SeaWorld and Universal Studios) or beautiful Williamsburg, Va. Williamsburg offers families lots of fun options, including Busch Gardens and Water Country USA, as well as a taste of America's past at Colonial Williamsburg, the nation's largest outdoor living history museum. The prize package includes a five-day, four-night stay at a local resort, airfare and theme park passes for a family of four. The more kids play, the better their chances to win. Other incentives include a contest for the best recipe.

From May 14 - June 10, Giant Food Stores and Martin's Food Markets will promote the following sponsors in their 129 stores: Shuman Produce's REALSWEET (R) brand Vidalia Onions; Del Monte Gold (R) Extra Sweet Pineapples in whole and fresh cut forms; T. Marzetti Refrigerated Salad Dressings; Stemilt Growers' Apples; Dole Fresh Packaged Salads; and Chiquita(R) Fresh-Cut Fruit.

Participating sponsors contribute to Children's Miracle Network by making a per-unit donation based on shipments of select items to Giant Food Stores. All funds directly benefit Children's Miracle Network hospitals located within the areas served by the participating retailers.

"We are very excited about the additions to this year's PKF campaign. Connie Evers is a recognized nutritional expert and author and the new Healthy Kids Club offers great activities and incentives for the kids. We anticipate more kids will be involved this year which should help us to raise more money," said Jeff Beaulieu, VP of Produce and Floral for Giant Food Stores. "Giant Food Stores are committed to providing health information to its customers and pleased to give back to the community by supporting local Children's Miracle Network hospitals, a charity Giant has supported for nearly a decade."

More information on Produce for Kids, and a list of participating Children's Miracle Network hospitals, may be found at www.produceforkids.org.

About Produce for Kids

Produce for Kids was created by Shuman Produce Inc., growers of REALSWEET (R) brand Vidalia Onions, to bring the produce industry together to benefit kids in support of Children's Miracle Network. Produce for Kids is an annual program and has raised over $475,000 to date. Co-sponsors support the program and make a per-unit donation to Children's Miracle Network.

About Children's Miracle Network

Children's Miracle Network represents 170 children's hospitals providing state-of-the-art, lifesaving care 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Each year, Children's Miracle Network hospitals treat 17 million children for every disease and condition imaginable, including cancer, pediatric AIDS, muscular dystrophy, sickle cell anemia, birth defects, asthma and accidental injuries. One hundred percent of all locally raised funds benefit children treated at the Children's Miracle Network hospitals.

About Giant Food Stores

Giant Food Stores, LLC, headquartered in Carlisle, PA is one of four retail-operating companies under Ahold USA, one of the leading supermarket operations in the U.S. Giant currently operates 103 stores as Giant Food Stores, 119 stores as TOPS Markets and 26 stores as Martin's Food Markets. With nearly 40,000 associates Giant serves a six state market area. For more information about Giant Food Stores, visit the company's Web site at www.GiantFoodStores.com .

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To view full electronic news release go to: http://www.newswire1.net/NW2006/A_SAH_FL/giantkids/

Source: Business Wire

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