Photos: Mary Lou Retton and Tyson Foods Help Parents Perfect Their Routines for Competing With Afternoon Chaos

Offer Tips for Afterschool Activities and Snack Solutions to Satisfy Even to Dinnertime

SPRINGDALE, Ark., April 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ – With an estimated 6.5 million children in grades K-12 participating in some sort of after school program*, Tyson Foods has teamed up with Olympic Gymnastic Champion Mary Lou Retton to provide parents with tips and strategies to create a well-balanced routine for whatever life throws their way.

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As the mother of four daughters ages 6-13, Mary Lou Retton knows all too well the stress that comes with juggling work, a household and busy afterschool schedules.

“I compete with afternoon chaos by being one step ahead of the pack, which includes keeping substantial, frozen snacks like Tyson Any’tizers products on hand,” said Retton. “With Tyson Any’tizers products, I can show my girls how much I care by serving a warm snack that satisfies their hunger even to dinnertime.”

Two New Varieties Help Parents Ful-fill Kids Hunger

Tyson Foods recently launched two new flavors of Tyson(R) Any’tizers(TM) snacks: Stuffed Chicken Cordon Bleu Minis and Stuffed Chicken Pepperoni Minis. With a tasty breaded outside layer and a delicious and hearty meat and cheese center filling, Tyson(R) Any’tizers(TM) snacks offer a fun-filled solution for serious afterschool snack attacks.

Mary Lou Retton also shares other simple fun-filled tips for creating a well-balanced routine for busy afternoon schedules, including:

• Grab and Go:

Create a closet for after-school gear – whether for the gymnast or basketball player – where equipment can be stored for quick and easy access. This helps everyone get to activities fast, without mom running around at the last minute trying to locate much needed gear. This also provides an opportunity to teach children organizational skills.

• The Power of Protein:

Afternoons and snacks go hand-in-hand because active kids need energy to keep them going strong. Make sure you are providing them with quality snacks that are protein-packed, warm and delicious that will help get them through the afternoon, whether with homework or at their gymnastics practice. Keep the freezer full of convenient, substantial snacks and teach kids how to fuel their bodies!

• Engage Through Fun

While your teenagers may act like they want nothing to do with you, they do still need parenting and encouragement. Use fun activities as a chance to get to know what is going on in their lives and to bond. By approaching them during something fun, they will be more likely to share and participate in the conversation.

• Constant Communication

Afternoon plans can change at a moment’s notice, so it’s good to always have a way of communicating. Use text messages as a way to quickly get a message to your kids or always have your cell phone accessible in case they need to reach you. Another idea is to keep a dry erase board with daily schedules on your fridge.

• Keep the Car Stocked

When busy afternoons include running from practice to practice, make sure to keep your car full of activities, beverages and little necessities for emergencies. Keeping these types of things in the car at all times means you’ll have less to think about when you’re rushing out the door!

“Tyson Foods recognizes that today’s families are busy, so our goal is to help parents by providing solutions for all meal occasions,” said Bill Welsh, senior director of marketing for Tyson Foods, Inc. “With tips from Mary Lou Retton and Tyson Any’tizers products, parents can provide their kids with fun, substantial snacks and organized afterschool activities that promote a balanced lifestyle.”

For more information about Tyson(R) Any’tizers(TM) snacks or to learn more about Mary Lou Retton’s tips for balanced afterschool routines, visit www.tyson.com.

About Tyson Foods, Inc.

Tyson Foods, Inc. [NYSE: TSN], founded in 1935 with headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas, is the world’s largest processor and marketer of chicken, beef, and pork, the second-largest food production company in the Fortune 500 and a member of the S&P 500. The company produces a wide variety of protein-based and prepared food products and is the recognized market leader in the retail and foodservice markets it serves. Tyson provides products and service to customers throughout the United States and more than 90 countries. The company has approximately 107,000 Team Members employed at more than 300 facilities and offices in the United States and around the world. Through its Core Values, Code of Conduct and Team Member Bill of Rights, Tyson strives to operate with integrity and trust and is committed to creating value for its shareholders, customers and Team Members. The company also strives to be faith-friendly, provide a safe work environment and serve as stewards of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it.

*MDRC 2008 Memo

    Press contact:
    Gary Mickelson
    Tyson Foods, Inc.
    479-290-6111
    gary.mickelson@tyson.com
    Lindsay Nowicki
    GolinHarris for Tyson Foods, Inc.
    312-729-4287
    lnowicki@golinharris.com

SOURCE Tyson Foods, Inc.