STONYFIELD LAUNCHES ONLINE TALK DURING NATIONAL ORGANIC WEEK

Olympic gold medalist Ashleigh McIvor and famed chef Anthony Sedlak talk to Canadians about the benefits of organic food as new Stonyfield Ambassadors

More than half of Canadians want to learn more about organic food

To view the Social Media Release, please visit:
http://smr.newswire.ca/en/stonyfield/discussion-en-ligne-semaine-nationale-agriculture-biologique

MONTREAL, Oct. 13 /CNW Telbec/ - A recent Ipsos Canadian Online Omnibus on food product choices conducted last September revealed that 51% of Canadians feel they are not well informed about products from organic farming. Among the respondents, 62% are interested in learning more about organic products. As of October 9, the start of National Organic Week in Canada, the world's largest organic yogurt brand, Stonyfield, is encouraging Canadians to join a national organic talk using social media as an innovative tool for connecting with consumers. Leading the conversation online are the brand's new ambassadors: Olympic ski champion Ashleigh McIvor and Vancouver-based chef Anthony Sedlak, both committed to promoting an organic lifestyle.

"A majority of the population feels misinformed about what organic stands for and confused by what food labels mean," stated Iannick Melançon, Stonyfield Brand Manager.  "We want to provide a fun and creative forum for Canadians to discover the benefits of organic food and connect with others. We are proud to be associated with Ashleigh and Anthony who share our commitment to good nutrition and want to inspire Canadians to make choices that benefit both their health and the planet."

Stonyfield's mission is to make the highest-quality, best-tasting, certified organic products available to as many people as possible and to protect the environment through sustainable farming methods. Each year, Stonyfield contributes 10% of profits from sales to its Profit for the Planet fund, which is used to implement initiatives that will have a positive and meaningful effect on the environment. 

Starting this week, Stonyfield's newest faces are raising support for the brand's mission through the social networks, inviting Canadians to join the national organic talk at facebook.com/stonyfieldcanada. "I am proud to be collaborating with Stonyfield to help get the word out about the benefits or organic eating.  It is a brand that is aligned with my personal values and really walks the talk in terms of its social commitment," commented Ashleigh McIvor.

McIvor is known the world over as the first Gold Medal winner of Woman's Ski-Cross, after her stunning performance at the 2010 Winter Olympics. As a world-class athlete, McIvor is dedicated to her well-being and considers healthy nutrition as essential to maintaining focus and energy throughout her rigorous training and competitive life. The Pemberton native has always been conscientious about food choices and is now partnering with Stonyfield to motivate Canadians to eat organic.

An accomplished chef, Anthony Sedlak is passionate about simple flavours and devoted to using top-shelf and organic ingredients as the basis for his creations. At 23, Sedlak represented Canada at the Hans Bueschken World Junior Chef Challenge in Auckland, New Zealand, returning home with silver. Later that year Anthony competed in - and won - Food Network's Superstar Chef Challenge. He has since hosted four seasons of his own show, The Main, on Food Network Canada.

"Stonyfield organic yogurt is a mainstay of my diet and I'm thrilled to partner with this brand on such a unique campaign. I hope to encourage all food lovers to become more informed about their food choices and to discover the health benefits of cooking with quality, organic products," said Sedlak.

Along with Sedlak and McIvor, Quebec-based television and radio host Sebastien Benoît joins the Stonyfield campaign as a new ambassador for Quebec.

About Stonyfield

Stonyfield Farm, founded in 1983 in Wilton N.H., is the world's leading organic yogurt company.  The company advocates that healthy food can only come from a healthy planet. Stonyfield Farm was purchased by Groupe Danone in 2001 and the brand was launched in Canada in 2006 out of the Boucherville Québec manufacturing plant. Its organic ingredient purchases keep farm acres free of chemical pesticide that can contaminate soil, rivers and drinking water. Stonyfield also donates 10% of its profits to efforts that help protect and restore the Earth. For more information about Stonyfield, its products and initiatives, visit www.stonyfield.ca

Source: Iannick Melançon, Brand Manager, Stonyfield, Danone Canada

 

For further information:

Donna Battista     
Enzyme
524.6464 x.283     
[email protected]