Udi's Becomes First Gluten-Free Sponsor of the 2012 Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival Presented by FOOD & WINE

DENVER, Oct. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Udi's Gluten Free Foods is pleased to partner with the 2012 Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by FOOD & WINE to educate attendees about a gluten-free lifestyle. Udi's Gluten Free Foods - the gluten-free category leader in North America – will participate in the Festival's Oct. 11 – 14 events as its first gluten-free sponsor.   

The Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by FOOD & WINE is hosted by and benefits the Food Bank for New York City and Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry® campaign. One hundred percent of the Festival's net proceeds go toward helping these community-based organizations fight hunger.

At the Festival, Udi's is partnering with "Now Eat This!" Celebrity Chef Rocco DiSpirito to share healthy, tasty gluten-free meals at events such as the Oct. 12 Thrillist's BBQ and The Blues hosted by DiSpirito. Tickets to this event and more are available at www.nycwff.org. The highly popular chef released his newest cookbook "Now Eat This!  Italian" last month, and it will appear on the New York Times Best Sellers list at number seven on Oct. 14, 2012.

"Udi's is extremely pleased to partner with the Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival as its first gluten-free sponsor and to introduce and share our delicious, gluten-free foods with event participants," said Denise Sirovatka, Udi's vice president of marketing. "As gluten free becomes mainstream with consumers looking for a healthier lifestyle, Udi's is participating in events like the Festival to provide recipes and tasty options to help bring joy to eating gluten free."

Between 2004 and 2010, the gluten-free category in the U.S. grew by 28 percent, and projections indicate an estimated 16 percent increase from 2010-2015, making it a $5.5 billion-dollar industry.(1)  Currently, 1 in 133 Americans have celiac disease, and another 20 percent of the U.S. population may suffer from gluten intolerance. The size of the gluten-free market has grown to 21 million households.

Udi's gluten-free recipes and products will be shared with attendees at Festival events, including the Grand Tasting Oct.12 - 14, Fun & Fit in the City on Oct. 13 and the Sandwich Showdown on Oct. 14.

Udi's revolutionized the gluten-free category by introducing the first gluten-free bread that tastes and looks like "real" bread.  Udi's success is built on strong communication with the gluten-free community and a commitment to creating foods, including breads, bagels, muffins and granola that have the taste and texture of conventional gluten-filled products.

Udi's Gluten Free Foods are available at national grocery stores and retailers and can be purchased online at www.udisglutenfree.com.  All of Udi's baked goods are made in a 100 percent dedicated, certified gluten-free bakery located in Denver to eliminate and prevent the risk of cross-contamination. 

About Udi's Healthy Foods, LLC
Udi's Healthy Foods LLC (Udi's) is a leader in the fast growing market for gluten free foods in North America.  Udi's markets a diversified and growing range of gluten free products under the well recognized Udi's Gluten Free Foods brand in the retail market, and since mid-2011, food service channels.  Udi's Gluten Free Foods is a leading brand in gluten free bread and bakery products.  In addition, Udi's markets other gluten free products in the frozen pizza and granola categories. 

About Smart Balance, Inc.
Smart Balance, Inc. (NasdaqGM: SMBL) is committed to providing superior tasting, solution-driven products in every category it enters.  The company's health and wellness platform consists of brands that target specific consumer needs:  Glutino and Udi's for gluten free diets; Earth Balance for plant-based diets; Smart Balance for heart healthier diets; and Bestlife for weight management.  For more information about Smart Balance, Inc., please visit www.smartbalance.com.

(1) Packaged Facts Gluten Free Foods and Beverages in the US, third Edition (February 2011)

SOURCE Udi's Gluten Free Foods