Million Scoop Mission to Benefit Diabetes; Kiwi Guys Reach Milestone of Quarter Million Scoops on Quest to Donate to a Great Cause 8/7/2003
From: Karin Gardner, 206-284-1705 or karga@oppy.com, Diana Steeble, 206-270-4637 or diana.steeble@publicis-usa.com, both for ZESPRI SEATTLE, Aug. 8 -- ZESPRI New Zealand Kiwifruit is on a mission this summer. Three enthusiastic Kiwi Guys hailing from New Zealand are popping up in major U.S. cities throughout the summer to share scoops of tasty and nutritious ZESPRI GREEN and GOLD Kiwifruit. When the goal of one million scoops of kiwifruit is reached, ZESPRI will make a $20,000 donation to the American Diabetes Association (ADA). One ZESPRI(tm) Kiwifruit contains four scoops. Already, the Kiwi Guys have reached 288,376 scoops during the first three weeks of the mission! The Kiwi Guys appear in grocery stores, music concerts, sporting events and other community activities, ready to show people of all ages the convenient method of eating kiwifruit by cutting it in half with a knife and scooping the fruit out with a spoon. ZESPRI Business Development Manager Karen Brux noted, "By digging into kiwifruit this summer, everyone can help the Kiwi Guys on their quest to benefit the National ADA charity as well as the ADA chapters in Boston, Denver, Seattle and Portland. Kiwifruit contributes to a healthy diet, and ZESPRI wants to do our part in improving the nation's health." Brux continued, "I'm glad to see the guys have already surpassed the first milestone of a quarter million scoops. They're on their way!" During the mission, the Kiwi Guys serve up scoops of tangy ZESPRI GREEN Kiwifruit and the newer tropical-sweet ZESPRI GOLD Kiwifruit variety. These tasty treats offer real convenience, with no peeling or slicing necessary to enjoy the mouthwatering flavor. Kiwifruit is a nutrition powerhouse: Bite for bite, it's the most nutritious popular fruit you can eat, according to a Rutgers University study. In fact, a serving of kiwifruit packs more potassium than a banana, more vitamin C than an orange, and equals a 2/3-cup serving of bran flakes in dietary fiber. The American Diabetes Association is America's leading nonprofit provider of diabetes research, information, and advocacy. Its mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. Approximately 6.2 percent of the American population has diabetes, one third of whom do not know they have the disease. ZESPRI International is the world's largest kiwifruit marketer and distributor, with over 2,500 growers producing and exporting approximately 65 million trays of kiwifruit a year to more then 60 countries. For more information about the Million Scoop Mission, please visit http://www.zesprikiwi.com. ------ Editor's Note: Interview opportunities with the Kiwi Guys and photography are available. Please contact Diana Steeble at 206-270-4637 or by e-mail at diana.steeble@publicis-usa.com for information. |