CAMDEN, N.J., February 17, 2009 - Campbell Soup Company's (NYSE: CPB) North America Foodservice division is sponsoring "Wellness Workshops" at schools across the country to show students that preparing and eating healthy meals with vegetables, fruit and whole grains can be fun.
The Workshops will feature Emmy Award-winning host of the television series Christina Cooks!, Christina Pirello, and Food stylist David Leathers, who will teach the students about nutrition through interactive cooking demonstrations using healthy foods. Six elementary schools throughout the U.S., including schools in New Jersey, New Mexico, Florida, Texas and California will host the Wellness Workshops.
Students will create their own "salad paintings" by arranging carved fruits, vegetables and whole grains on a plate and "painting" their creations with salad dressings in squirt bottles. Throughout the day, students will learn about the importance of whole grains, vegetable nutrition and how different vitamins, minerals and nutrients can help keep their bodies strong.
Mr. Leathers, an expert in the art of fruit and vegetable carving, will show kids how much fun it can be to play with your food by teaching them how to turn everyday fruits and vegetables into fun characters and shapes.
"Kids love Campbell's products, and our expanded portfolio of wellness soups and snacks is enabling schools to provide children with their favorite, nourishing food away from home," said Joe Kiely, Vice President and General Manager-Campbell's North America Foodservice. "Through this initiative we are taking our commitment to childhood nutrition one step further by providing schools with a way to educate kids about the importance of eating a healthy diet."
The Wellness Workshop tour is the most recent example of how Campbell is delivering on its commitment to the Alliance for a Healthier Generation - a partnership between the American Heart Association and the William J. Clinton Foundation. In October, Campbell announced that it had reformulated and expanded its popular line of Campbell's® soup and Pepperidge Farm® products served in schools. The line now includes lower sodium formulations of some of kids' favorite soups in 50 oz. cans, including Campbell's Chicken & Stars soup, Campbell's Vegetarian Vegetable Alphabet soup and Campbell's Mega Noodle soup; four varieties of Campbell's® Healthy Request® soups and 10 Pepperidge Farm products. Each of these products now meets the Alliance for a Healthier Generation's Guidelines for Competitive Foods sold in schools.
As the Emmy Award-winning host of the television series Christina Cooks! and the author of four best-selling cookbooks, Christina Pirello has been teaching cooking classes in a variety of settings - including natural food stores and corporate boardrooms - throughout the U.S. for more than 10 years.
After graduating as valedictorian from Pennsylvania Culinary Institute at age 18, David Leathers studied fruit and vegetable carving at The Andy Mannhart Academy in Luzern, Switzerland. Since then, David has released three instructional DVDs, started his own food carving company and makes frequent television appearances.
About Campbell Foodservice
Since 1965, Campbell's North America Foodservice division has been a trusted food service partner, committed to providing restaurants, schools and institutions with great-tasting, nutritionally balanced products. These include Campbell's® Restaurant Quality™ soups, Campbell's® Well & Good® soups, V8® soups and entrees, V8® beverages, Pace® and Prego® sauces, and Pepperidge Farm® snacks.
About Campbell Soup Company
Campbell Soup Company is a global manufacturer and marketer of high-quality foods and simple meals, including soup, baked snacks, and healthy beverages. Founded in 1869, the company has a portfolio of market-leading brands, including "Campbell's," "Pepperidge Farm," "Arnott's," and "V8." For more information on the company, visit Campbell's website at www.campbellsoup.com.
CONTACT:
Sheri Oppenheimer
Campbell Soup Company
(856) 968-4363