Healthy Ones Encourages Consumers To 'Think Pink'

LISLE, IL – Throughout the month of October, breast cancer will be center focus as the country observes National Breast Cancer Awareness month. In an effort to help support the nationwide campaign to increase awareness of the terrible disease, Healthy Ones and The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) are encouraging consumers to "Think Pink."

For the third consecutive year, the "better-for-you" deli and lunchmeat brand and national non-profit organization are teaming up to not only increase breast cancer awareness but to help raise funds for breast cancer research. As part of their "Think Pink" campaign, Healthy Ones will swap their traditional package colors for bold pink packaging as well as pink signage at the deli.

"We are thrilled to continue our partnership with The Breast Cancer Research Foundation," said Elizabeth Di John, Healthy Ones brand manager. "The retailer and consumer interest and support of the 'Think Pink' program continue to be really positive. Breast cancer touches all of our lives, whether it's a family member fighting the disease or a friend. We are proud to do our part and proud to support BCRF."

In grocery stores across the country, consumers will find the pink-hued packaging of Healthy Ones tub lunchmeat along with pink signage in the deli. Healthy Ones will donate five cents per tub of lunchmeat and five cents per pound of deli meat sold during the month of October to BCRF, up to a maximum donation of $50,000 for all participating products.

The partnership isn't limited to the grocery store. Healthy Ones and BCRF will extend their message to Facebook as well. Consumers can visit the Healthy Ones Facebook page throughout October and find information about BCRF, the "Think Pink" program and ways to further support the cause. The page will also feature breast cancer survivor stories and serve as a place for others to take part in the conversation about the disease.

"Research is an important step in fighting breast cancer and finding a cure for this disease," said Chuck Gitkin, John Morrell Food Group vice president of marketing, innovation and R&D. "Our company and the Healthy Ones brand identify with the mission of The Breast Cancer Research Foundation and are proud to continue supporting their efforts through a donation and raising awareness of their efforts through the Healthy Ones 'Think Pink' program."

Healthy Ones, a part of the John Morrell Food Group, a subsidiary of Smithfield Foods, can be found in the refrigerated lunchmeat and deli section of chain and local grocery stores across the country. Sold at the deli, in lunchmeat tubs, zip packs and even as variety packs, Healthy Ones is easy and convenient for everyone to enjoy. In addition to convenience, the brand's mission is to help families live healthy. Every variety of Healthy Ones ham, turkey breast, chicken breast and roast beef are certified "Extra Lean" by the American Heart Association.

For more information about Healthy Ones, please visit here. Further information about The Breast Cancer Research Foundation can be found here.

About John Morrell Food Group 

With over a century and a half of experience, John Morrell Food Group brands have become respected and well known for providing premium-quality meat products to families across the United States. With products ranging from lunchmeat and franks to smoked sausage, bacon and pepperoni, the John Morrell Food Group is an important part of consumers' mealtimes. The John Morrell Food Group offers several national and regional brands including Armour®, Eckrich®, John Morrell®, Curly's®, Patrick Cudahy®, Carando®, Healthy Ones®, Margherita® Kretschmar® and LunchMakers®.
 
About Smithfield Foods

Smithfield Foods is a $13 billion global food company and the world's largest pork processor and hog producer. In the United States, the company is also the leader in numerous packaged meats categories with popular brands including Smithfield®, Eckrich®, Farmland®, Armour®, Cook's®, Gwaltney®, John Morrell®, Kretschmar®, Curly's®, Carando®, Margherita®, and Healthy Ones®. Smithfield Foods is committed to providing good food in a responsible way and maintains robust animal care, community involvement, employee safety, environmental, and food safety and quality programs. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com and www.smithfieldcommitments.com.

About The Breast Cancer Research Foundation®

Founded by Evelyn H. Lauder in 1993, The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) has raised more than $450 million in the last 20 years to advance the world's most promising breast cancer research to achieve prevention and a cure in our lifetime.  In October 2013, BCRF will commit $45 million to support the work of more than 200 researchers at major medical institutions across six continents. By spending 91 cents of every dollar on research and awareness programs, BCRF remains one of the nation's most fiscally responsible charities. It has earned four stars from Charity Navigator since 2002 and is the only breast cancer organization awarded an "A+" from CharityWatch. For more information, visit www.bcrfcure.org.

Source: John Morrell Food Group