Healthy Ones, Jewel-Osco Raise $10,000 for Breast Cancer Research Foundation

LISLE, Ill., June 26, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Healthy Ones, the makers of lean, lower sodium and heart healthy deli meats, along with retail partner Jewel-Osco, contributed $10,000 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) today following their "Pedal the Plaza" event in downtown Chicago. The open-to-all, high-energy experience was part of Healthy Ones' "You Can" campaign that empowered consumers to make easy, fun and positive lifestyle choices.

For two hours, the organizations turned Pioneer Plaza into the ultimate pedal class.  Over 20 stationary bikes filled the Plaza and were available for everyone in the area, including residents, tourists and celebrity guests to hop on the bikes and pedal.  A professional instructor from East Bank Spin Club led the participants in a music-filled, exciting, calorie-burning fun session. For each minute a person pedaled, $5 was donated to BCRF, up to $10,000 during the two-hour event. 

"Everyone at Healthy Ones is extremely excited to make this donation to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation," said Elizabeth Di John, Brand Manager for Healthy Ones.  "To see the city of Chicago rally behind this cause and support the event is overwhelming. We're very grateful for everyone who helped us 'Pedal the Plaza' today. Hopefully, we inspired a few people along the way, too. We hope that all of the people who participated realized that there are fun, easy ways to incorporate healthy changes into their lifestyle."

On hand to cycle at the event were former professional cyclist and Tour de France rider Christian Vande Velde, Jarrett Payton, son of Chicago Bears running back Walter Payton and 2000 NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion and avid cyclist, Bobby Labonte.

Every cyclist received a free lunch from Jewel-Osco and Healthy Ones for their participation.

"Today's 'Pedal the Plaza' event was a tremendous demonstration of how simple it is to incorporate simple, healthy decisions into your daily routine," said Jewel-Osco VP Marketing & Merchandising, Doug Cygan. "We want everyone to feel empowered to make positive lifestyle changes, and that starts with healthy eating and physical activity. We pride ourselves on offering a delicious, nutritious selection at our stores and hope that it contributes to healthy lifestyles everywhere."

For more information about Healthy Ones and how you can make positive lifestyle changes, please visit www.facebook.com/HealthyOnes. 

About John Morrell Food Group
With over a century and a half of experience, John Morrell Food Group brands have become respected and well known for providing premium-quality meat products to families across the United States. With products ranging from lunchmeat and franks to smoked sausage, bacon and pepperoni, the John Morrell Food Group is an important part of consumers' mealtimes. The John Morrell Food Group offers several national and regional brands including Armour^®, Eckrich^®, John Morrell^®, Curly's^®, Patrick Cudahy^®, Carando^®, Healthy Ones^®, Margherita^® Kretschmar^® and LunchMakers^®.

About Smithfield Foods
Smithfield Foods is a $14 billion global food company and the world's largest pork processor and hog producer. In the United States, the company is also the leader in numerous packaged meats categories with popular brands including Smithfield®, Eckrich®, Farmland®, Armour®, Cook's®, Gwaltney®, John Morrell®, Kretschmar®, Curly's®, Carando®, Margherita®, and Healthy Ones®. Smithfield Foods is committed to providing good food in a responsible way and maintains robust animal care, community involvement, employee safety, environmental, and food safety and quality programs. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com and www.smithfieldcommitments.com.

About Jewel-Osco
Established in 1899, Jewel-Osco, owned by New Albertsons, Inc., has become the favorite food and drug retailer in every market throughout the Chicagoland area. They have 185 locations in Illinois, Indiana and Iowa, employing 31,000 associates while continuing to grow. Find more company information at JewelOsco.com and follow their social channels at Facebook.com/JewelOsco, Twitter.com/JewelOsco, and YouTube.com/JewelOsco.

About The Breast Cancer Research Foundation®
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) advances the world's most promising research to eradicate breast cancer in our lifetime. Founded by Evelyn H. Lauder in 1993, BCRF has raised more than $500 million to fuel discoveries in tumor biology, genetics, prevention, treatment, survivorship and metastasis. This year, we invested $45 million in the work of more than 200 researchers at leading medical institutions across six continents. By spending 91 cents of every dollar on research and public awareness, BCRF remains one of the nation's most fiscally responsible charities. We are the only breast cancer organization with an "A+" from CharityWatch, and have been awarded a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator 12 times since 2002. Join us at www.bcrfcure.org.

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SOURCE Healthy Ones