DOLE Teams Up With Actress Ali Larter To Introduce New DOLE Garden Soup

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif., Sept. 22, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- DOLE Garden Soup, a premium line of packaged, ready-to-serve soups launched today.  Inspired by garden-fresh flavors, the full line is made with pure and simple ingredients, is non-GMO¹ and preservative-free.

DOLE Garden Soup starts with nature's best ingredients and uses a proprietary innovative, gentle cooking method that protects and locks in the fresh flavors, vibrant colors and smooth texture of a bowl of garden-fresh vegetable soup.  Packaged in BPA-free boxes, the line has no preservatives or MSG, and is available in five low-fat, gluten-free and cholesterol-free varieties:  Roasted Garlic Tomato Basil, Tomato Vegetable, Carrot Ginger, Southwestern Black Bean & Corn and Sweet Corn.

"Consumers told us they wanted the garden-fresh flavor of home-made vegetable soups, with the ease and convenience of a ready-made product. Drawing on Dole's rich heritage in growing vegetables, DOLE Garden Soup delivers in a way nobody else can. We are thrilled to provide these delicious, healthy soups that showcase the flavors of the best vegetables nature has to offer," said Brad Bartlett, President of Dole Packaged Foods.

To celebrate its commitment to garden-fresh flavor, Dole has launched the DOLE Souper Gardener contest to search for America's best gardener.  From now through October 17, consumers can visit DoleSouperGardener.com to nominate themselves, or someone else, to win $5,000 and a $5,000 matching donation to a local community garden.  Contest entrants submit a picture of their 2014 garden, with a description of why they should be named the DOLE Souper Gardener.

The grand prize winner and two finalists will be judged by "Legends" actress and professional cookbook author Ali Larter.  In addition to the monetary prize, the grand prize winner will receive a gardening kit and a year supply² of DOLE Garden Soup.  Two additional finalists will win a gardening kit and all five flavors of DOLE Garden Soup.

"Pure and simple ingredients are important to me and my growing family," said Ms. Larter.  "I'm excited to team up with DOLE Garden Soup to launch the new line, reward Souper Gardeners everywhere and spread awareness about the importance of healthy eating."

Dole commissioned a national survey to understand more about America's home gardeners.  Survey stats include³:

• More than half of gardeners say that having healthy fruits and vegetables is the top reason they choose to garden.
• With the cold months around the corner, 43% of gardeners are concerned about what they can grow during the cold months, as well as the poor weather conditions (41%).

Found in the soup aisle of grocery stores and mass retailers nationwide, a 26-ounce carton of DOLE Garden Soup can be purchased for a suggested retail price of $3.49.  For more information, visit www.Dole.com/GardenSoup.

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 and vegetables. For more information on Dole Packaged Foods, visit www.dole.com.

¹ No genetically modified (or engineered) ingredients
² A total of 54 units (flavor selection to be determined by Dole Packaged Foods, LLC)
³ According to a Dole survey conducted by Wakefield Research among 600 U.S. gardeners, ages 18+, between July 14 and July 22, 2014, using an email invitation and an online survey. Totals may exceed 100% due to rounding.

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SOURCE Dole Packaged Foods, LLC