DOLE Fruit Squish'ems Teams Up With Brandi Chastain to Help Soccer Families Get "Game Day Great"

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif., March 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- As youth soccer heats up nationwide, DOLE Fruit Squish'ems^® is kicking off a partnership with two-time FIFA Women's World Cup winner and mom, Brandi Chastain, to help soccer families across the country gear up for game days. Throughout the spring and summer, Chastain will share her "Game Day Great" tips and encourage soccer moms and dads across the country to share their own tips on Dole's Facebook page for the opportunity to win a season's supply of DOLE Fruit Squish'ems and $5,000 for their team. DOLE Fruit Squish'ems will also be making a splash at soccer events across the country as the official snack of the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO).

"We're proud to partner with Brandi Chastain and AYSO as we embark on helping soccer families everywhere get 'Game Day Great'," said Stan Stuka, Senior Business Manager, DOLE Fruit Squish'ems. "DOLE Fruit Squish'ems are a convenient and healthy snack that help soccer families be at the top of their game for every match, whether they are on the field or cheering from the sidelines."

Beginning in mid-April, DOLE Fruit Squish'ems invites soccer moms and dads nationwide to share their own tips, tricks and pre-game rituals through their "Game Day Great" Facebook contest at GameDayGreat.com. Chastain, who was an integral part of two FIFA Women's World Cup championships and known worldwide for kicking the winning goal in the 1999 game against China, will select the grand prize winner. The contest champion will receive a season's supply of DOLE Fruit Squish'ems and $5,000 for their team, in addition to new soccer backpacks for each player. Ten finalists will also receive a season's supply of DOLE Fruit Squish'ems for their teams.

"I've had to prepare myself for many big soccer games, and now as a soccer mom, I help my son Jaden get ready for his matches. I know that game days can get busy, so I always like to have convenient, healthy snacks on hand," said Chastain. "With DOLE Fruit Squish'ems, my son can easily eat them in the car, or on the sidelines of the game. I love that each squeezable fruit pouch provides one full serving of all-natural fruit from fresh USA apples. It's a great way to get more fruit into my son's diet and get him fueled up for a big game."

More of Chastain's "Game Day Great" tips will be shared in a series of posts and videos on Dole's Facebook page throughout the spring and summer. Chastain will also be making an appearance at AYSO's National Games, June 29 – July 7, 2014, in Southern California.

"We're proud to have DOLE Fruit Squish'ems as the official snack of AYSO as we celebrate 50 years as the nation's most active and open youth organization," said Kim Roberts Hedgpeth, National Executive Director, AYSO. "We look for partners that support our core principles of enriching the lives of children through fun, family, healthy activity and sportsmanship, and DOLE Fruit Squish'ems is a perfect partner to help us deliver on these values throughout the 2014 soccer season." 

DOLE Fruit Squish'ems will also be the presenting sponsor for AYSO #SoccerFEST14, setting the world record on May 3, 2014, for the biggest soccer pick-up game on earth. Players will be provided with DOLE Fruit Squish'ems branded pinnies and at some locations, have the opportunity to try the delicious and nutritious squeezable fruit pouches.

Soccer families can find DOLE Fruit Squish'ems at retailers nationwide for a suggested retail price of $2.79 per package. Available in three yummy flavors including Apple, Apple Mixed Berry and Apple Strawberry, DOLE Fruit Squish'ems are GMO (genetically modified or engineered ingredients) free, gluten free and are made with BPA free packaging. Each DOLE Fruit Squish'ems squeezable pouch contains one full serving of all-natural fruit made from fresh USA apples, plus, is only 60 calories. They also contain no high fructose corn syrup or artificial flavors.

For more information on DOLE Fruit Squish'ems "Game Day Great" contest, visit GameDayGreat.com.

About Dole Packaged Foods
Dole Packaged Foods, LLC, a subsidiary of Dole International Holdings, is a leader in sourcing, processing, distributing and marketing fruit products and healthy snacks throughout the world. Dole markets a full line of canned, jarred, cup, frozen and dried fruit products and is an innovator in new forms of packaging and processing fruit. For more information please visit www.dole.com.

About AYSO
AYSO was founded in Torrance, Calif., in 1964 and is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. It was the dream of a group of devoted soccer enthusiasts who started the organization out of their own garage with nine teams. Today, the national non-profit has more than 50,000 teams, nearly 900 leagues, and 500,000 players nationwide. Its alumni tops 6,000,000, including some of the top professional soccer players in the U.S. AYSO is founded on Six Philosophies which include Everyone Plays^®, Balanced Teams, Open Registration, Positive Coaching, Good Sportsmanship and Player Development. For more information on AYSO, contact Sahar Milani at [email protected] or visit www.AYSO.org.

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SOURCE Dole Packaged Foods, LLC