Newman's Own® Turns NBC's "The Biggest Loser" 30,000-Pound Weight Loss into Feeding America's Gain of $150,000 Value of Food

CHICAGO, March 28, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The seven remaining contestants on last night's episode of NBC's "The Biggest Loser" received a challenge from Newman's Own.  The competitors raced to load trucks with boxes weighing a total of more than 30,000 pounds; that's the total amount of weight lost to date on "The Biggest Loser," which airs Tuesdays at 8 pm ET/PT.  The first to complete the task, Mark Cornelison of Magnolia, TX, was awarded 30,000 pounds of food from Newman's Own to donate to his local Feeding America® food bank. As a surprise to the other six contestants, Newman's Own announced an additional donation of 30,000 pounds of food for distribution among their hometown Feeding America food banks.  In total, the Newman's Own, Inc. donation is valued at $150,000 of food to help feed America's hungry.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120328/DC77732)

Newman's Own, recognized for its philanthropic mission to donate all profits to charity, remains committed to the fight against hunger.  Paul Newman began a partnership with Feeding America to fight hunger more than a decade ago and the company's devotion to this issue continues. 

"One in six Americans struggle with hunger and more than 16 million children do not have enough consistent access to food to nourish their growing minds and bodies.  With such startling statistics, we feel it's important to help raise awareness about hunger in America," according to David Best, vice president of marketing for Newman's Own, Inc.  "And we wanted to help alleviate some of the need by donating food to the winners' local Feeding America food banks," Best continued.

Beginning in May, in partnership with Feeding America, Newman's Own will deploy truckloads of its food products to the food banks in the winners' cities, including:  Magnolia, Texas; Roswell, GA; Middlebury, IN; Wayne, MI; Rockford, MI and Dittmer, MO.

"Our partnership with Newman's Own helps provide hope in the form of nutritious food for Americans at risk of hunger," said Leah Ray, vice president of corporate partnerships at Feeding America.  "Additionally, the affiliation with The Biggest Loser provides an important opportunity to reach a large audience and educate them about the work we do across the Feeding America network."

To donate to Feeding America, visit: www.feedingamerica.org/newmansown.

To see a portion of last night's challenge, see the Newman's Own web page at www.newmansown.com/fighthunger.

About Newman's Own®, Inc.

Newman's Own, Inc., founded by Paul Newman in 1982, offers more than 100 varieties of great-tasting, all-natural food and beverage products, including salad dressings, pasta sauces, salsa, thin & crispy frozen pizzas, frozen skillet meals, microwave popcorn, and refrigerated lemonades. Newman's Own Foundation continues Paul Newman's commitment to donate all profits to charity. More than $330 million has been given to thousands of charities since 1982.

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.com/FeedingAmerica.

About The Biggest Loser

"The Biggest Loser" airs on NBC Tuesdays (8-10 p.m. ET). The first reality series where everybody "loses," "The Biggest Loser" challenges and encourages overweight contestants to shed pounds in a safe and recommended manner through comprehensive diet and exercise as they compete for a grand prize of $250,000. Hosted by Alison Sweeney, the series provides the contestants with challenges, temptations, weigh-ins and eliminations until the final contestant remains to claim the title of "The Biggest Loser." For season 13, contestants work out under the supervision of professional trainers Bob Harper and Dolvett Quince. "The Biggest Loser" is a production of Shine America, 25/7 Productions and 3 Ball Productions. Check out www.biggestloser.com for more information.

Contact:
Kate Nolan Clemens, KDN Communications
860/657-0600; [email protected]
Ross Fraser, Feeding America
312/641-6422; [email protected]

SOURCE Feeding America