ADVISORY/5 A Day Across the USA Celebrates Tour's Finale in Nation's Capitol

Business Wire,  May 30, 2000  

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Assignment/News Editors

ADVISORY...for Friday (June 2)

--(BUSINESS WIRE)

The Produce for Better Health Foundation will sponsor a gala celebration during the final stop of the 5 A Day Across the USA(TM) national tour on June 2, 2000 from 10:00 a.m. until noon at the Rayburn Office Building Foyer, at the corner of Independence Avenue and South Capital Street, in Washington, D.C.

The Produce for Better Health Foundation will complete a whirlwind 6,100 mile cross-country journey reaching millions of Americans with the message to eat 5 or more servings of fruits and vegetables a day to improve their health.

This celebration, jointly sponsored by the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association, Produce for Better Health Foundation, United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association, U.S. Apple Association and Western Growers Association, will bring legislative, regulatory, administration and corporate representatives together for a media event highlighting the 5 A Day Message. Pledges signed by Americans from cities across the USA will be presented at our nation's capitol.

"We're thrilled about these festivities planned in our nation's capitol. The national tour has been a great way to raise consumer awareness of a healthy diet and reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, obesity and other diet-related illnesses," said Claudia Wenzing, Foundation Development Director.

Guests include Elizabeth Pivonka, Ph.D., RD, Foundation president; Edith Garrett, International Fresh Cut Produce Association; Mike Bessirre, president, Eastern Division of Safeway Stores Inc.; Gary Pasquinelli, chairman, Western Growers Association; and David Moore, president, Western Growers Association.

Activities planned include music featured on the Dole 5 A Day CD, a fresh produce display arranged in the shape of the United States, and several food demonstrations and tastings.

The 5 A Day Across the USA(TM) whirlwind tour, will cross the country from Salinas, Calif. to Washington, DC from May 18 through June 2, 2000, covering 6,100 miles. The 5 A Day Across the USA(TM) tour, sponsored by the Produce for Better Health Foundation and supporting partners, is an effort to reach large numbers of consumers with the message of eating 5 or more servings of fruits and vegetables a day to improve their health.

To date, the Foundation plans stops in the following cities: Salinas and Pleasanton, Calif.; Bentonville, Ark.; Memphis, Tenn.; Dallas, Tex.; Phoenix, Ariz.; Salt Lake City, Utah; Kansas City, Kan.; Des Moines, Iowa; Minneapolis, Minn.; Milwaukee, Wis.; Chicago, Ill.; Indianapolis, Ind.; Cincinnati, Ohio; Boston, Mass.; Wilmington, Del., Baltimore, Md.; and Washington, DC.

Participants involved in all these 5 A Day Across the USA(TM) events will be invited to gather from 10 a.m. to noon June 2 in Washington, D.C. for a special Millennium launch and tribute to the future of 5 A Day Across the USA(TM). Special guests will be traveling from around the country to attend the festivities and include government and health officials and guest appearances by several costumed fruit and vegetable characters. Produce Man will distribute prizes, and guests will gather on the capitol steps for a group photo commemorating the event.

The Foundation's inaugural 5 A Day Across the USA(TM) tour took place May 20-27, 1999, from Orlando, Fla., to New York, N.Y. The 1,500-mile route brought the 5 A Day message to residents in 17 cities along the East Coast. The West Coast tour took place August 27-Sept. 4, 1999, along a 1,800-mile route reaching 14 cities from Seattle, Wash., to Los Angeles, Calif.

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