Jamba Juice Teams Up with the National Gardening Association to Offer a Healthy Slice of Fruit to Local Schools with 'It's All About the Fruit™' Grants

EMERYVILLE, Calif., Oct. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Jamba Juice, a highly recognized healthy, active lifestyle brand with over 30 custom blended smoothies and a portfolio of delicious, better-for-you menu offerings, is teaming up with the National Gardening Association (NGA) to provide grants to local schools to plant fruit trees as a fun, innovative way to promote nutrition education for young students.

The National Gardening Association is now accepting applications from schools to award Jamba Juice "It's All About the Fruit" grants, which will provide schools with fruit trees to create engaging nutrition and gardening experiences.  

Schools interested in applying for one of twenty $500 grants can learn more about the program by visiting www.kidsgardening.org.  Applications are due November 29, 2010 with winners being announced in January 2011.  Recipients will be selected based on plans to promote nutrition education, ideas for incorporating fruit tree activities in curriculum, and the ability to sustain the program over multiple years.

"At Jamba Juice, we are passionate about supporting our local schools and communities by promoting health, wellness and fitness," said James D. White, chairman, president, and CEO, Jamba Juice Company. "Through our fruit tree planting initiatives, we are helping provide an excellent educational program for students, helping them learn about nutrition, gardening, and sustainability in fun and creative ways."

"Observing and exploring fruit production gives a deeper understanding and appreciation for this essential element of our diet," said Mike Metallo, president, National Gardening Association.  "We are honored to team up with Jamba Juice to bring their passion for fruit and nutrition to so many students and schools through these fruit tree grants and Sip to Support programs."

The "It's All About the Fruit" grant program was announced earlier this year at an event with California's First Lady Maria Shriver.  The grants are part of a larger initiative by Jamba Juice to support healthy communities through innovative fundraising programs.  This includes Jamba's "Sip to Support A Garden™^" program where school and garden organizations can sign up and earn year-round funding for their gardens. Participation is simple: Interested organizations can sign up on-line at www.jambajuice.com for swipe cards for their supporters; Each time a supporter uses the swipe card for purchases at participating Jamba Juice locations, Jamba will donate 12% of the purchase to support gardens -- 10% will be donated directly back to the garden organization and 2% will be donated to support the fruit tree grants administered by the NGA.  

The "It's All About the Fruit" grant program will also fund the creation of fruit tree planting lesson plans, focused on nutrition education, which will be developed by the NGA. In conjunction with Jamba's community service program, Jamba Volunteers, team members from local Jamba Juice stores will have an opportunity to get engaged by helping their local schools build and maintain gardens, helping to plant fruit trees, or contributing time on other important programs that help build healthier communities.

To learn more about the Jamba Juice-National Gardening Association relationship, and how to sign-up and participate in the programs being offered visit www.jambajuice.com/gardens, www.kidsgardening.org or www.garden.org.

About Jamba Inc:  Jamba, Inc. (Nasdaq: JMBA) is a holding company and through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Jamba Juice Company, owns and franchises JAMBA JUICE® stores. Founded in 1990, Jamba Juice is a leading restaurant retailer of better-for-you food and beverage offerings, including great tasting fruit smoothies, juices, and teas, hot oatmeal made with organic steel cut oats, wraps, salads, sandwiches, and California Flatbreads™, and a variety of baked goods and snacks. As of July 13, 2010, Jamba Juice had 743 locations consisting of 432 company-owned and operated stores and 311 franchise stores. For the nearest location or a complete menu, visit the Jamba Juice website at www.jambajuice.com or call 1-866-4R-FRUIT (473-7848).

About the National Gardening Association: For more than 35 years, the National Gardening Association (NGA) has been working to renew and sustain the essential connection between people, plants, and the environment. As a nonprofit leader in plant-based education, our vision is to make available free educational plant-based materials, grants, and resources that speak to young minds, educators, youth and community organizations, and the general gardening public in five core areas; education, health and wellness, environmental stewardship, community development, and home gardening. For more information, visit www.garden.org.

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SOURCE Jamba Juice