Iowa Grocery Industry Association

During the entire month of May, Sara Lee and ConAgra Foods will partner together on a program aimed at raising money for the Iowa Grocers Education Foundation.

The two food manufacturing companies will combine to donate $0.25 from every loaf of Healthy Choice Bread sold at any retail store in Iowa to the IGEF Scholarship Endowment Fund. Sara Lee and ConAgra Foods have a goal of raising a minimum of $10,000.

“We encourage the retailers to support this great cause with incremental displays,” said Shawn Crouse, portfolio development manager for Sara Lee. “Off shelf displays will be the key performance driver of this program, not only for this year but for years to come as the displays will help secure funding for the program.”

The overall amount raised will be announced with a check presentation to the IGEF at the 2010 Iowa Grocery Industry Association Convention in Okoboji July 7-9.

The Iowa Grocers Education Foundation Scholarship Endowment Fund is the primary source of money for scholarships given to children of full-time employees working for IGIA members or students who are full-time or part-time employees of firms that are members of the IGIA. The IGEF was established for the sole purpose of funding scholarship awards to deserving students.

Sara Lee is a licensed baker and distributor of Healthy Choice Bread, which is owned by ConAgra Foods. The brand features two types of bread – Hearty 100 percent Whole Grain and Hearty 7 Grain.

Hearty 100 percent Whole Grain is a good source of fiber, calcium and four B vitamins. It is made with whole-wheat flour and crushed whole wheat for a hearty texture. Molasses, raisin juice and honey provide the bread with a rich, robust flavor.

A dense, hearty-textured bread, Hearty 7 Grain is made with a blend of whole-wheat flour and seven crushed whole grains for a sweet, mild flavor. Consumers get as much fiber as a slice of 100 percent whole-wheat bread with an added source of calcium.

For more information on Sara Lee and ConAgra’s partnership, please contact Shawn Crouse (515-369-9940) or Dave Spuehler (515-238-3964). To find out more about the IGEF, contact Jerry Fleagle at 800-383-3663 or jfleagle@iowagrocers.com.