IMAGE MAKERS

Dairy Field, Nov 2004

PRODUCT & PROMOTION NEWS

* Back by popular demand, San Antonio-based Promised Land Dairy has reintroduced half-gallon sizes for three of its most popular milks: Whole White, Reduced Fat 2% White and Fat-Free White. As part of an extensive research effort to bring the half-gallon bottle back to its customers. Promised Land Dairy took a hands-on approach by designing its own exclusive mold of a PET plastic bottle.The company says the bottle was specifically designed for Promised Land Dairy miik and will provide its customers the same outstanding taste, freshness and quality they've come to expect.

* This fall, Atlanta-based Carvel Corp. and the National Association of Sports and Physical Education (NASPE) kicked off a new campaign Captain Carvel's Healthy Action Heroes - designed to raise awareness of an active lifestyle and nutritional education in elementary school children throughout their local communities. As part of the initiative, corporate employees were certified by NASPE as "Sport for All" trainers, a program designed for an after-school or daycare setting that provides children developmentally appropriate practice for sports-related skills, ultimately encouraging participation in individual and team physical activities. In addition, Carvel is working with its franchisees and NASPE in a grassroots effort to help elementary schools raise money for much needed playgrounds and athletic equipment. With a systemwide launch scheduled for 2005, the initiative is being piloted in Atlanta and Rocky Hill, Conn.

* Plymouth, Wis.-based Sargento Foods Inc. recently received the Deloitte & Touche Greater Good Award - an extension of its Wisconsin Honor Roll distinction - for ongoing dedication and commitment to local Wisconsin communities. The award recognizes Sargento's corporate culture and employee involvement in local charity organizations, including Habitat for Humanity and Hunger Task Force. Compiled by the Milwaukee office of Deloitte &Touche and cosponsored by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the honor roll recognizes privately held Wisconsin companies with annual sales of $50 million or more.

* Alto Dairy employees are proud to support and help people and organizations in their communities. Throughout the year, employees raise funds through cookouts, silent auctions and payroll deductions to share with those in need for the annual Alto Dairy Employee Holiday Fund. Each fall, employees from the Waupun, Wis.-based member-owned cooperative, select individuals and organizations to receive funds to help make the holidays a little brighter. More than $72,000 has been shared with local communities since the start of the fund in 1989.

* Straus Family Creamery, Marshall, Calif., has announced its Organic European Style Butters have earned the official Authentic Food Artisans (AFA) designation from Whole Foods Market, the world's largest natural and organic supermarket chain. Straus organic butters will be featured with other top artisanal products as part of the AFA collection in every Whole Foods store across the country. "This is an incredible honor," says creamery president Albert Straus. "We love what we do, from the farming to making our products. It's really nice to have the recognition and support from such a leader in the organic marketplace." Whole Foods' AFA seal is reserved for products of excellence selected by buyers who search the world handpicking products made to exacting standards.

* Food industry veteran Tim McMahon shares dozens of marketing lessons taught with real-life stories in "The Little Green Marketing Book," designed to keep entrepreneurs focused on the things that matter in growing a business.The book includes five "keep it simple, stupid" marketing rules to live by, 10 reasons new products fail, 10 reasons they succeed and other marketing insights. Industry analyst Bob Messenger, publisher and editor of The Morning Cup online newsletter, describes McMahon's book as "a pair of jumper cables with the power to quick-start your creative juices." Published by NewYork-based Spring Rain Publishing, "The Little Green Marketing Book" is $12.95 and can be purchased by contacting McMahon at tim@ getandkeep.biz.