Old Orchard Brands Advances Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Partnership with Additional Funding

    SPARTA, Mich., August 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading juice beverage
 manufacturer, Old Orchard Brands, announced today a new program to increase
 its support of The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International
 (JDRF), the world's leading supporter of medical research on type 1
 diabetes and related complications, with up to $1,000,000 of new funding.
 The JDRF Healthy Balance Challenge launches today and continues through
 January 31, 2008.
     The JDRF Healthy Balance Challenge will raise funds through a Universal
 Product Code (UPC) collection program to coincide with the non-profit's
 more than 150 "Walk to Cure Diabetes" events to be held across the U.S.
 this fall. Old Orchard will earmark $.20 to the JDRF for each UPC label
 collected from its Healthy Balance line of low-sugar fruit juice cocktails.
 In turn, the JDRF will work with its local "walk" families and constituents
 to ensure each one of its more than 200 walk events is a successful
 collection point in the drive.
     This incremental funding is above and beyond the nearly $650,000 worth
 of cash and product donations Old Orchard has pledged through 2009 as part
 of the original partnership forged with the JDRF last year.
     The partnership is based on Old Orchard's popular line of low-sugar,
 reduced-calorie Healthy Balance fruit juice cocktails, the leading
 reduced-sugar fruit juice on the market. The line includes 13 varieties,
 and it can be found at nearly every major grocery chain nationwide for an
 average retail price of $2.49 per 64-ounce bottle.
     The line works well in diets that require careful management of blood
 sugar levels, carbohydrates and calories, such as those of people with
 diabetes. Each of the fruit juice cocktails contain 75 percent less sugar,
 carbohydrates and calories compared to other juice products of the same
 variety.
     Old Orchard Brands is one of the nation's leading fruit juice brands.
 The Company produces more than 80 million bottles of juice annually.
     "We are grateful to have partners such as Old Orchard Brands who care
 deeply about the work we do in researching a cure for type 1 diabetes,"
 said Arnold Donald, CEO of the JDRF. "They continue to support our
 organization with innovative retail-driven programs that increase funding
 for research, and that's a rare and valuable partner to have."
     "The JDRF is making a tremendous difference in the lives of many
 children living with diabetes, and we are fortunate to be in a position to
 advance the great work they do," said Mark Saur, president and founder of
 Old Orchard Brands. "This partnership is a perfect match for both the
 foundation and for the families looking to provide their kids with good
 beverage alternatives that fit well within sugar-restricted diets."
     As a bonus incentive, the JDRF walk family that collects the most UPCs
 will win a 2008 Mazda Tribute, courtesy of Old Orchard. Direct employees of
 the JDRF are not eligible to win.
     Those not directly affiliated with the JDRF can participate in the
 drive by sending UPCs to: JDRF Healthy Balance Challenge c/o Old Orchard
 Brands, P.O. Box 66, Sparta, MI 49345. Old Orchard will donate $.20 per UPC
 for type 1 diabetes research.
     About Old Orchard Brands - Sparta, Mich.-based Old Orchard Brands is
 one of the fastest-growing fruit juice brands in the United States.
 Established in 1985, the privately held company offers consumers 30 frozen
 concentrate flavors and 62 bottled varieties in a range of 100 percent
 fruit juices and blends, premium juice and juice blends, fruit juice
 cocktails, low-sugar fruit juice cocktails and juice-infused teas. Old
 Orchard Brands is an Allied Capital company. For more about Old Orchard,
 visit www.oldorchardjuice.com.
     About Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation - JDRF was as founded in
 1970 by the parents of children with juvenile diabetes - a disease that
 strikes children suddenly, makes them insulin dependent for life, and
 carries the constant threat of devastating complications. Since inception,
 JDRF has provided more than $900 million to diabetes research worldwide.
 More than 80 percent of JDRF's expenditures directly support research and
 education about research. JDRF's mission is constant: to find a cure for
 diabetes and its complications through the support of research. For more
 information about JDRF please visit www.jdrf.org.
 
 

SOURCE Old Orchard Brands