CARLISLE, Pa. - Giant Food Stores, Martin's Food Markets and TOPS Markets are participating in Produce for Kids (PFK), the national program that promotes the importance of adding more fruits and vegetables to children's daily diets and raises funds for Children's Miracle Network hospitals serving local communities. The campaign period is scheduled for June 3-30, 2007.

"Giant Food Stores, Martin's Food Markets and TOPS Markets gladly welcome the chance to partner with Produce for Kids," said Jeff Beaulieu, VP of Produce and Floral for Giant/Martin's and TOPS. "We are very interested in getting our youngest customers excited about healthy eating as early as possible. We are happy to contribute to this effort by promoting the program in our stores to help parents make healthier decisions as they shop."

From June 3 through June 30, Giant/Martin's and TOPS' 215 stores will feature PFK signage including floor stands, shelf cards and recipe brochures that provide information about the new PFK website and Healthy Kids Club. Giant/TOPS will also promote the following sponsors during the campaign: Chiquita Fresh-Cut Fruit and Minis; Del Monte Gold Extra Sweet Whole and Fresh Cut Pineapple; Dole Fresh-Cut Salads; Foxy Produce Romaine Hearts; Masser Potatoes; Shuman Produce's REALSWEET brand Vidalia Onions; Stemilt Growers Apples and T. Marzetti Salad Dressings.

For 2007, PFK has debuted a new image and logo, added customized retailer programs and revamped its Web site - all to better promote the advantages of adding more fruits and vegetables to children's daily diets.

The enhanced PFK Web site, which launched May 1, has been redesigned to be more user-friendly and interactive. The site features interesting and fun information backed by nutritionists and dieticians educating kids on the importance of eating fruits and vegetables. Other additions include a "No Adults Allowed! Healthy Kids Club." In addition, recipes submitted by kids will be posted at the end of the campaign so they can share their yummy fruit and veggie concoctions with each other.

Kids can also win more prizes than before by using the online scorecard to keep track of points earned for healthy activities completed. The scorecard is submitted at the end of the campaign and points are tallied. The contestant with the most points will win the Grand Prize Drawing for a six-day, five-night stay for four to the winner's choice of a Dude Ranch at Eaton's Ranch in Wolf, Wyo., or Pinegrove Ranch & Family Resort in Kerhonkson, N.Y. (excluding airfare). Other prizes include a Nintendo Wii, Dance Dance Revolution game mat and an in-line skate package.

"2007 proudly marks a campaign milestone," said John Shuman, president of Shuman Produce and founder of PFK. "We expect our total contribution to the Children's Miracle Network will exceed one million dollars since the inception of Produce for Kids six years ago. Our slogan 'Get Healthy, Give Hope' emulates our goal to teach children the benefits of eating healthy, especially during the current obesity crisis in our country, while helping hospitalized children. What started out as a small effort to raise money for a worthwhile cause has evolved into an amazing program."

For more information on PFK, as well as a list of participating Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, go to www.produceforkids.org.

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About Produce for Kids Produce for Kids was created in 2002 by Shuman Produce Inc., growers of REALSWEET brand Vidalia Onions, to bring the produce industry together to benefit kids in support of Children's Miracle Network. Produce for Kids is an integrated marketing campaign featuring the following: point-of-sale materials with floor stands or posters, recipe brochures, shelf cards and shelf tags, advertising, public relations; sweepstakes drawing and Internet marketing with the Web site, www.produceforkids.org. Co-sponsors support the program and make a per-unit donation to Children's Miracle Network.

Giant Food Stores, LLC Giant Food Stores, LLC, one of the leading supermarket operations in the U.S., currently operates stores in Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia under the names of Giant Food Stores, TOPS Markets, Martin's Food Markets and FoodSource. As a company, Giant and TOPS are proud to work with hundreds of local organizations in the communities they serve and have a long-standing commitment to eradicate hunger and improve the quality of life for children. For more information, visit www.GiantFoodStores.com, www.MartinsFoods.com, and www.TopsMarkets.com.

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