Real food champions take food education into their own hands

Food-focused programs powered by Hellmann's® Real Food Grants

In this release:

• Grassroots initiatives focus on supplementary food education
• Hellmann's® Canada is now accepting applications for grants to support summer and fall food initiatives
• Hellmann's Canada releases video of school's Real Food transformation

TORONTO, April 23, 2012 /CNW/ - Today Hellmann's® Canada announced funding for three new food education programs that are attempting to redefine the way school children think about food in Canada. The funding is part of the Hellmann's® Real Food Grant's program - an ongoing initiative to support the Real Food Movement in Canada now in its third year.

The first three recipients of the 2012 Hellmann's® Real Food Grant program are:

• THRIVE! - a weeklong health and wellness celebration put on by the Niagara District School Board in Niagara Falls, ON received a $2,500 grant.
• Clean Nova Scotia - a farm-to-school interactive education program in Dartmouth, NS received a $5,000 grant. This is the second year in a row Hellmann's has supported this initiative.
• The Greenstart Program - a mobile greenhouse and interactive classroom that travels to elementary schools across Calgary, AB received a $15,000 grant. This is the third year in a row Hellmann's has supported this initiative.

"We know that getting kids to eat healthy lunches is a daily challenge for most parents, especially for parents with kids in school," said Stephanie Cox, Senior Brand Manager for Hellmann's® Canada. "The initiatives we're funding are great examples of programs that make food education a priority in schools."

The Real Food Grant program is designed to support programs across the country that are going above and beyond to teach kids about the pleasure that comes from eating real food. More money is now available from Hellmann's® Canada for other organizations with special food projects happening in the summer and fall of 2012, though the deadline for applications is quickly approaching. Individuals looking for funding to support initiatives happening June through August have until May 10 to apply, whereas applications for events happening in September through December are due August 9.

One of last year's Real Food Grant recipients - École Camile J. Lerouge School (ECJLS) in Red Deer, Alberta - used a $25,000 grant to bring to life an inspiring plan to refurbish the school kitchen and overhaul the cafeteria menu in order to offer more nutritious lunches to students. Hellmann's® Canada has created a short video documenting the transformation that is already inspiring others to consider similar initiatives: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1U3ZAzhshfo

"Hellmann's® Real Food Grant program has enabled us to bring our vision for a school that truly puts healthy eating first to life," said Shannon Saringo, Teacher at ECJLS. "Students are already embracing the new menu and the transformation has sparked conversation about real food among our entire community. We hope our story inspires others to take charge of their own menus."

Those interested in applying for a Real Food Grant or joining the Real Food Movement can visit realfoodmovement.ca or Facebook.com/HellmannsCanada

About the Real Food Movement
Hellmann's® mayonnaise was founded on the principle of using real, simple ingredients - like eggs, oil and vinegar. This commitment to real ingredients is why Hellmann's® Canada launched the Real Food Movement - a mission to help get more real food on Canadian tables by inspiring families to smell, taste, touch and learn about the pleasure that comes from eating real food. Canadians can join the real food conversation and learn how to eat real at www.facebook.com/HellmannsCanada

About Unilever Canada
Unilever works to create a better future every day. We help people feel good, look good and get more out of life with brands and services that are good for them and good for others. Each day, around the world, we serve over two billion consumers. In Canada, the portfolio includes brand icons such as: Axe®, Becel®, Ben & Jerry's®, Breyers®, Degree®, Dove® personal care products, Hellmann's®, Klondike®, Knorr®, Lipton®, Popsicle®, Q-Tips®, Skippy®, Slim-Fast®, Suave®, Sunsilk® and Vaseline®. All of the preceding brand names are registered trademarks of the Unilever Group of Companies. Dedicated to serving consumers and the communities where we live, work and play, Unilever employs more than 1,600 people across Canada. For more information, visit www.unilever.ca.

Video with caption: "Real food champions take food education into their own hands". Video available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/cgi-bin/playback.cgi?file=20120423_C8223_VIDEO_EN_12621.mp4&posterurl=http://photos.newswire.ca/images/20120423_C8223_PHOTO_EN_12621.jpg&clientName=Hellmanns&caption=Real%20food%20champions%20take%20food%20education%20into%20their%20own%20hands&title=HELLMANN%27S%20%2D%20Real%20food%20champions%20take%20food%20education%20into%20their%20own%20hands&headline=Real%20food%20champions%20take%20food%20education%20into%20their%20own%20hands

Jessica McGraw
Harbinger Communications
416.960.5100/1.877.960.5100 ext.277
[email protected]