FreshDirect Makes It Easier to Eat Right by Joining the National Salt Reduction Initiative

LONG ISLAND CITY, N.Y., April 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Furthering its dedication to provide fresh, healthy food for the tri-state area, leading online grocer FreshDirect has joined the National Salt Reduction Initiative (NSRI), a nationwide effort aimed at saving tens of thousands of lives each year and billions of dollars in health care costs by reducing sodium levels in foods Americans eat every day.

"FreshDirect has always been committed to offering fresh, healthier choices," said Monica Woo, Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer of FreshDirect. "We have long provided up to three times more organic and locally-produced food than traditional supermarkets at great prices, and by joining the National Salt Reduction Initiative, we are continuing to empower our customers to live healthier lives."

The national effort, led by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Chronic Disease Prevention and Control, will improve food quality for millions of Americans by reducing sodium in foods by 20 percent by 2014.

Maggie Moon, MS, RD, FreshDirect's Corporate Nutritionist, underscored the health benefits to low sodium intakes, stating, "This is a problem that goes beyond individual habits, as only about 11 percent of the sodium in the average American's diet comes from their own saltshakers. Delivering healthy food to our customers is a priority, and it's important for food manufacturers to join us to work toward a healthy future for our country."

FreshDirect has a history of preparing great tasting food with New York's health in mind, as its team of expert chefs and nutritionists has developed the health-conscious Smart & Simple 4-Minute Meal line, with freshly-prepared entrees that contain fewer than 500 calories and are lower in fat and sodium. Only FreshDirect offers a wide selection of the freshest and highest quality produce, meats, fish and dairy items, sourced direct from farms and fisheries and delivered straight to the customer's door.

"FreshDirect customers can still expect a wide variety of high-flavor food," says Executive Chef Michael Stark. "Our team is dedicated to upholding our standards and creating great-tasting food, while reducing sodium intake."

To learn more, visit www.freshdirect.com.

About FreshDirect

FreshDirect is one of the nation's leading online food brands and grocery providers, known for its convenient home delivery service and the manufacture of fresh, delicious food. Changing the way customers shop for groceries since 2002, the company uses a direct distribution model with in-house, overnight production that cuts out the middleman and helps FreshDirect offer farm-fresh food at prices up to 20% lower than conventional grocery stores. Every product is 100% satisfaction guaranteed, every time. Thanks to expert daily ratings, FreshDirect customers can easily shop for best of the season in produce and seafood. Only at FreshDirect, the online shopping experience is highly personalized with smart shopping features that help customers track their favorites, remember missed items, shop from previous orders and get recommendations on new foods they might like. FreshDirect has also teamed up with top New York City chefs and restaurants to bring customers quick, restaurant-quality prepared meals, unavailable anywhere else. FreshDirect has fulfilled more than ten million orders to date. Its ever-expanding service area includes most of Manhattan, locations in Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island and the Bronx, as well as parts of New Jersey, Westchester, Greenwich and Nassau Counties. FreshDirect ranks 62 on Internet Retailer's Top 500 guide. For more information, visit www.freshdirect.com.

SOURCE FreshDirect