Makers of SPLENDA(R) Sweeteners Invite Half a Million Parents and Children to a Better Bake Sale

    FORT WASHINGTON, Pa., Sept. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- McNeil Nutritionals, LLC,
 the makers of SPLENDA(R) Sweeteners, today kicks off a school-year long
 drive to make bake sales healthier through the sale of reduced
 sugar/calorie treats and beverages. With schools focused on implementing
 newly developed nutrition and fitness guidelines, the SPLENDA(R) Bake Sale
 campaign also offers simple health education tools easy to replicate in
 school or at home.
     This launch marks the second year of the SPLENDA(R) Bake Sale program.
 In its first year, an estimated half million parents and children attended
 bake sales, raising approximately $1 million for school playground
 improvements, purchase of classroom supplies and the development of more
 robust nutrition education curriculum.
     For the furthest reach into schools, the SPLENDA(R) Brand continues its
 partnership with PTO Today, the national authority on work with elementary
 and middle school parent-teacher groups. "Our parent leaders have had a
 tremendous response to the SPLENDA(R) Bake Sales program with more than
 2,200 schools taking part to date," said Tim Sullivan, President, PTO
 Today, Inc.
     Participating PTO group leaders have also provided positive feedback on
 the program. Three out of four found the SPLENDA(R) Bake Sale Kit "useful"
 or "very useful" and 88% were "satisfied" or "very satisfied" with
 SPLENDA(R) Sweeteners(1).
     The campaign foundation is a complimentary kit, entitled "Sweet
 Success: The Better Bake Sale Kit," offered to school parent group leaders
 featuring reduced-sugar recipe suggestions, materials for the bake sale
 (napkins, promotional posters/fliers, product samples) and simple tips for
 incorporating good nutrition and physical activity into the daily routine.
     In addition, new content added to http://www.schoolbakesales.com this
 year includes:
     * "Ask the Expert" bi-monthly column with answers from a registered
       dietitian to parents questions about everything from ideal snacking to
       hosting healthier school programs.
 
     * A downloadable "Nutrition Guide for Busy Parents" providing serving size
       equivalents and a recommended daily meal plan.
 
     * More reduced-sugar recipes, including new items featuring Nestle(R) Toll
       House(R) and Kool-Aid(R) products.
     The thought of organizing a bake sale is daunting but the tips below
 can help take out the guesswork:
     * Combine the bake sale with something already planned that is generally
       well attended, like a sporting event or on election day.
 
     * Pick an umbrella theme and have everything ladder up to it.  For
       example, choose an art-inspired bake sale and designate a cookie
       decoration station.
 
     * Engage "celebrity" bakers, like the principal or a favorite teacher.
 
     * Go beyond baked goods.  Offer reduced-sugar beverages as well.
 
     * Request donations vs. selling individual items.  Attendees are likely to
       give one lump sum rather than a few quarters for one cupcake.
     "The SPLENDA(R) Bake Sale program arms teachers and parents with
 information to enable better health through improved nutrition, such as
 with lower-sugar, great-tasting recipes," Ivy Brown, SPLENDA(R) Brand
 Franchise Director, McNeil Nutritionals, LLC. "We are excited to be making
 the program even more relevant to the nutritional needs of families this
 year and hope all participating schools will use the resources to foster a
 healthier community overall."
     About SPLENDA(R) Brand Sweetener
     SPLENDA(R) Sweeteners are marketed by McNeil Nutritionals, LLC.
 SPLENDA(R) Brand Sweetener is used in more than 4,000 products of major
 food brands worldwide. You can find out more about SPLENDA(R) Sweeteners or
 get recipes and tips on cooking and baking with the brand by logging on to
 http://www.splenda.com or call 1-800-7-SPLENDA (1-800-777-5363).
     About McNeil Nutritionals
     McNeil Nutritionals, LLC, is a marketer of innovative nutritional
 products. The company's mission is to give people the ability to actively
 manage their own health. McNeil Nutritionals, LLC, markets SPLENDA(R) No
 Calorie Sweetener, SPLENDA(R) Sugar Blend, SPLENDA(R) Brown Sugar Blend,
 VIACTIV(R) Calcium Soft Chews, VIACTIV(R) Multi-Vitamin Soft Chews,
 LACTAID(R) Milk and Dietary Supplements, and BENECOL(R) Spreads. McNeil
 Nutritionals, LLC, is headquartered in Fort Washington, PA.
     About PTO Today, Inc.
     PTO Today, Inc. is the only company dedicated exclusively to serving
 the entire school parent group (PTO/PTA) market with a full suite of
 products and services, all geared toward helping leaders serve their
 schools more effectively and run their groups more efficiently. PTO Today's
 products and programs include PTO Manager, the web-based software solution
 for parent groups and the School Family Night programs, evening events for
 parent groups to build parent involvement and foster their school
 community. PTO Today's flagship publication -- PTO Today magazine is
 published six times a year. PTO Today magazine reaches parent group leaders
 at more than 80,000 K-8 public and private elementary and middle schools
 across the country.
     NESTLE(R) Toll House(R) is a registered trademark of Societe des
 Produits Nestle S.A., Vevey, Switzerland.
     KOOL-AID is a registered trademark of KF Holdings.
 
     (1) PTO Today, Inc. December 2005 Survey Data
 
     Contacts:
     Joanna Young              Sherri Satalof
     RF|Binder Partners        McNeil Nutritionals, LLC
     212-994-7556              215-273-7449
 
 

SOURCE McNeil Nutritionals, LLC