Nestle Juicy Juice, Feeding America® And TV Personality Samantha Harris Team Up To Fight Summertime Childhood Hunger

GLENDALE, Calif., June 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- NESTLE JUICY JUICE, Feeding America® and celebrity mom and anti-hunger advocate Samantha Harris celebrated the kickoff of the JUICY JUICE Fruit for All Project at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank on May 31, 2012. The program is designed to help alleviate summertime childhood hunger by delivering up to 35 million pieces of fresh fruit to children and families at risk of hunger nationwide. Today through August 31, one piece of fruit will be provided to hungry kids and their families each time JUICY JUICE is purchased*.

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"I've always felt passionately that no one should have to suffer from hunger, but now that I am a mom, I know how devastating it would be to struggle to provide healthy meals for my kids," said Samantha Harris. "I'm delighted to be involved in a program that will help provide nutritious fruits that are so critical to a child's development."

An estimated 16 million American children are food insecure and live at risk of being hungry, particularly in the summer months when they are out of school and away from federally assisted school meal programs. Food pantries, soup kitchens and other charitable food assistance organizations report seeing an increased need for food assistance for children during summer months.

"The Fruit for All Project is a natural extension of the JUICY JUICE vision, which is to provide at least one full serving of fruit per serving," said Rob Case, president of Nestle's Beverage Division.  "We're thrilled that through the Fruit for All Project, we're able to broaden that commitment by partnering with supportive organizations and providing fruit servings to those in need."

Surprisingly, America's battle against hunger is not about having enough food; the real problem is of equity, distribution and access to food. Juicy Juice will become part of the solution this summer by supporting the harvesting and transportation of fresh, nutritious fruits, helping to mitigate the loss of more than six billion pounds of produce that are wasted each year in America. In addition to contributing with Juicy Juice purchases, families can volunteer at their local food bank or visit Juicy Juice's Facebook page to complete challenges like games, quizzes and puzzles to earn even more fruit donations.

"We're honored JUICY JUICE is partnering with Feeding America to help provide up to 35 million pieces of fresh produce to those in need," said Vicki Escarra, president and CEO of Feeding America. "This partnership will drive a significant increase in the fresh fruit distributed through our National Produce Program while at the same time engaging families to join in the fight against hunger within their own communities."

The Fruit for All Project complements Nestle USA's ongoing commitment to fighting hunger in partnership with Feeding America. Since 1990, Nestle has donated more than 250 million pounds of food and beverages, including Juicy Juice, to regional food banks nationwide.

To learn more, find the food bank nearest you or earn fruit donations for people in need, visit FruitForAllProject.com, or visit Juicy Juice on Facebook.

*Donation promotion runs from June 1, 2012 to August 31, 2012 and includes all JUICY JUICE® retail pack sizes. Excludes any JUICY JUICE® product sold at foodservice outlets.  During the promotion period, Nestle shall donate to Feeding America the funds needed to deliver up to 35,000,000 pieces of fruit based on in-store sales and completion of online challenges at FruitForAllProject.com. Maximum donation is $420,000.

About Nestle USA: Named one of "The World's Most Admired Food Companies" in Fortune magazine for fifteen consecutive years, Nestle provides quality brands and products that bring flavor to life every day. From nutritious meals with Lean Cuisine® to baking traditions with Nestle® Toll House®, Nestle USA makes delicious, convenient, and nutritious food and beverage products that make good living possible. That's what "Nestle. Good Food, Good Life" is all about. Nestle USA, with 2011 sales of $10 billion, is part of Nestle S.A. in Vevey, Switzerland — the world's largest food company with a commitment to Nutrition, Health & Wellness — with 2011 sales of $94 billion. For product news and information, visit Nestleusa.com or NestleNewsroom.com.

About Feeding America: Feeding America provides low-income individuals and families with the fuel to survive and even thrive. As the nation's leading domestic hunger-relief charity, our network members supply food to more than 37 million Americans each year, including 14 million children and 3 million seniors. Serving the entire United States, more than 200 member food banks support 61,000 agencies that address hunger in all of its forms. For more information on how you can fight hunger in your community and across the country, visit http://www.feedingamerica.org. Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/FeedingAmerica or follow our news on Twitter at twitter.com/FeedingAmerica.

About Samantha Harris: A seasoned entertainment news journalist and two-time Emmy-nominated TV personality, Samantha Harris is best-known for her eight seasons co-hosting the live ABC hit Dancing With The Stars. Harris has also shared hosting duties on Entertainment Tonight, The Insider, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, The View, Good Morning America, E! News, Extra and The Next Joe Millionaire. Harris made her Broadway debut playing iconic 'Roxie Hart' in CHICAGO in summer 2009. An active anti-hunger advocate, Samantha serves on the Entertainment Council of Feeding America. She resides in Los Angeles with her husband, Michael, and their two daughters, Josselyn and Hilary.  

MEDIA CONTACT:
Marlee Dippolito
Edelman for Nestle
323.202.1038
[email protected]

SOURCE Nestle USA