Panasonic Encourages Communities And Employees Worldwide To Embrace Sustainable Lunches

SECAUCUS, N.J., Oct. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Panasonic Corporation will kick-off its 24-hour Earth Lunch Hour on October 6 in Tokyo, Japan and the eco relay event will reach the company's principal U.S. subsidiary in Secaucus, NJ at 12:15pm EST.  The global Panasonic program – starting in Tokyo, and then in a relay style, moving to more than ten countries across the world – is viewable to the public at www.earthlunchhour.net.  Panasonic's Earth Lunch Hour is designed to encourage communities around the world to use their lunchtime to begin making environmentally-conscious decisions, such as which food to choose and how to properly prepare and dispose of it. The public can also follow Panasonic's Earth Lunch Hour event on Twitter @EarthLunchHour.

At the Secaucus, NJ office, Joe Taylor, Chairman & CEO, Panasonic Corporation of North America, will preside over the Earth Hour Lunch – introducing employees to the program and highlighting the company's energy vision.  Other speakers include the company's food services partner who will discuss the sustainable programs being implemented at Panasonic's Secaucus employee cafeteria. Panasonic introduces its Green Menu, which includes produce from several local farms in the tri-state area, certified sustainable fish; and a food scrap recycling program.

"For the past few years, Panasonic has participated in a global eco relay – but this year, we invite the public to watch it live – a great way to further spread the message that all citizens – both individuals and companies – have to take responsibility to make environmentally-friendly decisions," said David Thompson, Director, Corporate Environmental Department, Panasonic Corporation of North America. "By starting with evaluating our lunch – something as common as a daily meal, Panasonic is letting employees and communities know that there are small, simple changes we can make. And by using social media to spread the message, we also take this as an opportunity to learn from our communities and spark discussions about an important topic."

To extend the company's eco activities, starting on October 14, Panasonic launches an advertising campaign – both online and print – with The New York Times, Washington Post, USA Today and, Wall Street Journal .  The national ad campaign will highlight the company's environmental commitment and energy-efficient products such as ventilation fans, Plasma televisions, visual communication systems and laptops.

To learn more about Panasonic's Earth Lunch Hour, and view recipes, simple eco-friendly tips for selecting, preparing and disposing food, and to watch the Eco Relay live, visit: http://www.earthlunchhour.net. The live feed of events begins on October 6 in Japan at 10:30am local time, which is October 5 at 9:30pm EST.

About Panasonic

Based in Secaucus, NJ, Panasonic Corporation of North America markets a broad line of digital and other electronics products for consumer, business and industrial use. The company is the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation (NYSE: PC) of Osaka, Japan, and the hub of Panasonic's U.S. branding, marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. Information about Panasonic and its products is available at www.panasonic.com.  Panasonic is pledged to practice prudent, sustainable use of the earth's natural resources and protect our environment through the company's Eco Ideas programs. Information about Panasonic products is available at www.panasonic.com. Additional company information for journalists is available at www.panasonic.com/pressroom. 

SOURCE Panasonic