Join Our Mission, Give the Gift of Nutrition

FLORHAM PARK, N.J., Dec. 15, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Gerber announced today that it is partnering with the Yum-o! organization -- daytime host, bestselling author and philanthropist, Rachael Ray's nonprofit organization -- to invite the greater public to join their combined mission to give the gift of nutrition to hungry families in need.

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For every "Like" Gerber has on its Facebook page by January 15, 2011 at www.facebook.com/gerber, they will donate $1, up to $500,000, to Yum-o!  Through Yum-o!'s nonprofit partners these dollars will work to provide families with access to nutritious food in the fight against hunger.

Hunger and food insecurity have been, and continue to be, serious problems for a significant portion of our population. Gerber and Yum-o! share a philosophy that all families should have access to nutritious food, and have teamed up to give the gift of nutrition to children and families in need and raise awareness of the hunger problem in America.  

"Our partnership with Yum-o! is such a natural fit," says Christina Lawrence, Head, Integrated Marketing and Communications, Nestle Infant Nutrition/Gerber Products Company.

"We share a mission in that we want everyone, particularly children, to have access to nutritious food that will help them thrive.  Through Facebook, we've created an easy way for consumers to get involved and join our mission to make a positive impact on childhood nutrition.  A simple click generates an automatic donation to help in the fight against hunger."

Just like the effects of instilling good nutrition habits early, the effects of childhood hunger can last a lifetime. Without an adequate diet, children are challenged to thrive physically, cognitively and psychologically, making it more difficult to reach full potential as they grow into adults.

"It is just unfathomable to me that in a country of such plenty, any child might go to sleep hungry or only have access to unhealthy foods," said Ray.  "Thanks to Gerber, the Yum-o! organization will be able to continue its efforts of feeding hungry American kids and families and in turn allowing them to have a better relationship with food."

About Nestle Nutrition and Gerber

Nestle Nutrition, part of Nestle S.A., a world leader in nutrition, health and wellness and is dedicated to infant, healthcare and performance nutrition, and weight management. Gerber Products Company, founded in 1928, officially joined the Nestle family on September 1, 2007. Nestle and Gerber's combined resources and scientific research expertise have enabled the company to become a worldwide leader in early childhood nutrition. Gerber produces more than 200 food products, all of which are a part of Nestle's proprietary Start Healthy, Stay Healthy™ integrated nutrition system. Start Healthy, Stay Healthy™ combines products, educational resources and services that are designed to encourage the early establishment of healthy eating habits in children from birth to preschool.

For more information on Nestle Nutrition and Gerber, visit www.gerber.com.

To visit Gerber on Facebook, visit www.facebook.com/gerber

About Yum-o!

Launched in 2006 by Rachael Ray, Yum-o!® is a nonprofit organization that empowers kids and their families to develop healthy relationships with food and cooking by teaching families to cook, feeding hungry kids and funding cooking education and scholarships. Through its three core work areas of Cook, Feed  and Fund, Yum-o! educates kids and their families about food and cooking by offering an interactive website that enables young cooks to get started in the kitchen and try out family-friendly recipes; teams up with partner organizations to feed hungry children; and funds innovative cooking programs in schools and educational opportunities for kids who are interested in pursuing careers in the restaurant and foodservice industry.

For more information on Yum-o! visit www.yum-o.org.

SOURCE Gerber