Dole Packaged Foods Is Making A Difference With 2018 Rose Parade Float

The 2018 Rose Parade Float, Sharing Nature's Bounty, celebrates the "circle of life" and showcases the various countries and cultures where Dole fruit is grown. A dazzling display of animatronic creatures, such as an octopus and zebra, a 16-foot tall 2,000 gallon-waterfall and over 60,000 individual flowers will grace the 26-foot float. Twelve dancers will flank both sides and perform a fusion of traditional and modern dance from around the world.

Inspired by the seven-time Rose Parade Sweepstakes Trophy champion's passion for the environment and giving back, the float serves as encouragement for others to make a difference and speaks to this year's Tournament of Roses Parade theme "Making a Difference."

"Improving the environment, practicing sustainability and boosting quality of life are key to Dole's culture," said Dave Spare, Vice President of Marketing, Dole Packaged Foods. "This year, we want to take our commitment to these principles a step further and focus on the circle of giving, leading us to partner with FOOD Share. This dynamic partnership builds upon Dole's efforts to look out for one another and support underserved communities that are in need. We hope our float serves as inspiration for others to do the same."

Throughout its participation in the Rose Parade, Dole Packaged Foods has shown its commitment to providing convenient, healthy, non-GMO fruits and snacks to help people live long and healthy lives, as well as using healthy and safe ways to grow its products to conserve Earth's most precious natural resources for generations to come.

"Dole and FOOD Share both strive to make healthy food easily accessible, while still respecting the environment," said Jennifer Caldwell of FOOD Share, Feeding America's Ventura County branch. "I'm thrilled to be part of this 2018 initiative and represent FOOD Share and Feeding America by riding on Dole's 2018 Rose Parade Float."

As the final piece to achieving Dole's objective to share nature's bounty and give back in 2018, Dole Packaged Foods launched its new Ray of Sunshine Sweepstakes, taking place now until December 20, 2017. The Sweepstakes grand prize winner will be chosen among those who nominate someone who is making a positive impact in their community locally for a chance to win 5,000 lbs. of food and a donation of $5,000 to a charity of their choice. For more information about the Sweepstakes, including terms and conditions, and to enter visit Facebook.com/DoleSunshine.

About Dole Packaged Foods
Dole Packaged Foods LLC is a world leader in growing, sourcing, distributing and marketing fruit and healthy snacks. Dole sells a full-line of packaged ambient fruit, frozen fruit, dried fruit, and juices. The company focuses on four pillars of sustainability in all its operations: water management, carbon footprint, soil conservation and waste reduction. For more information please visit www.dolesunshine.com or doleintlcsr.com.

^®, TM & ©2017 Dole Packaged Foods, LLC.

About FOOD Share
Nearly 40 years ago, eight citizens performed a good deed by distributing food to those who were in need underneath a Ventura bridge. The early philanthropic movement quickly formed into what is now Ventura County's regional food bank, FOOD Share, which has grown from serving a few hundred hungry people per month to 74,500 people. Today, staff and volunteers distribute more than 11 million pounds of food, or 9 million meals, annually from its distribution sites; more than 200 partner agencies, which include neighborhood and church food distributions and soup kitchens; as well as hunger assistance programs. FOOD Share's programs provide healthy nutrition and education to children, families and seniors, which include: Kids'' Farmers' Market, Senior Kits, Nutrition Education, Community Markets, and more. A 501(c)3 non-profit organization, FOOD Share is a member of the Feeding America network, the nation's largest hunger-relief organization. For more information about FOOD Share, visit www.foodshare.com.

About the Pasadena Tournament of Roses^®
The Tournament of Roses is a volunteer organization that hosts America's New Year Celebration^® with the Rose Parade^® presented by Honda, the Rose Bowl Game^® presented by Northwestern Mutual and a variety of accompanying events. 935 volunteer members of the association will drive the success of 129th Rose Parade themed "Making A Difference," on Monday, January 1, 2018, followed by the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the 104th Rose Bowl Game.  For more information, visit www.tournamentofroses.com. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

SOURCE Dole Packaged Foods