Fruit2O(R) Invites Americans to Participate in 10-city small changes>Lifelong Results(TM) Challenge Benefitting the American Diabetes Association(R)

CINCINNATI, May 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Fruit2O® water, the original zero-calorie, fruit-flavored water, is working with the American Diabetes Association to help promote the movement to Stop Diabetes(SM).  As part of its small changes>Lifelong Results™ campaign, the Fruit2O brand is asking consumers to pledge to make a small change in their life that will have a big impact on their health.  For every pledge collected at local events and through Fruit2O’s Page on Facebook®, the Fruit2O brand will donate $1 to a local, participating American Diabetes Association market, up to $5,000. The participating market that obtains the most pledges by August 15, 2010 will receive an additional $15,000 donation.

“Nearly 24 million American children and adults have diabetes while 57 million have pre-diabetes.  By changing our nutrition and activity levels, we can help prevent or delay the type 2 diabetes epidemic," said Christine Tobin, CDE, President, Health Care & Education, American Diabetes Association. “Campaigns such as this can help adults transition towards a healthier lifestyle and provide additional resources and educational information to our communities."

From May 14, 2010 to August 8, 2010, the Fruit2O brand will visit 10 markets to promote the small changes>Lifelong Results™ campaign, encouraging consumers to participate via the following:

• Pledge Wall: Consumers may visit a traveling pledge wall that will be located at Fruit2O water booths at various local events. Visitors to the booth will receive free samples of Fruit2O products along with the chance to write their own “small change” on a large card and post it on the pledge wall for others to read.  For a schedule of local events, visit Fruit2O’s Page on Facebook, at www.facebook.com/fruit2o.
• Facebook:  If consumers cannot attend the sampling events, they can digitally submit their “small change” on the online pledge wall at www.facebook.com/fruit2o, and select a participating American Diabetes Association market to receive the pledge.  The pledge donation supports the following American Diabetes Association markets:  Chicago, IL; Boston, MA; Hartford/New Haven, CT; Washington DC; New York, NY; Cincinnati, OH; Grand Rapids, MI; Philadelphia, PA; Baltimore, MD; and Detroit, MI.  Only one pledge per person, regardless of method of entry, is allowed. See Fruit2O’s Page on Facebook for full participation rules.

Throughout the campaign, the Fruit2O brand will consult with Rebecca Scritchfield, MA, RD, ACSM Health Fitness Specialist based in Washington DC, on how adults can make small lifestyle changes that will have a positive impact on their health.  Tips and information will be distributed via local media, online and at local events.

“The idea behind our small changes>Lifelong Results™ campaign is to help consumers realize they don’t have to make drastic changes to significantly improve their health, but instead make small changes like swapping beverages high in calories and sugar for low-calorie beverages like Fruit2O products,” said Dave Silver, Fruit2O water brand manager.

The Fruit2O brand will also help promote the American Diabetes Association’s StepOut: Walk to Fight Diabetes® walks at its sampling events. Walking is a great way to get and stay healthy for life, so the Fruit2O brand will encourage community members who visit the booth at local events or online to sign up and participate in a local StepOut: Walk to Fight Diabetes event, beginning September 2010 in participating markets. For more information about the StepOut: Walk to Fight Diabetes walking events, visit http://diabetes.org/fruit20.

Fruit2O products are available in most U.S. markets. Single bottles, six-packs, 15-packs and 24-packs are available at grocery and club stores. For a list of retailers, visit http://www.fruit2o.com/Where_to_Buy.aspx. Retailers interested in learning more about the entire Fruit2O line of products can call 1-800-395-5849.  

About Fruit2O® water

Fruit2O® water was the first fruit-flavored water to hit the shelves in March of 1999, pioneering the impressive growth of the flavored water category. Since then, the Fruit2O brand has been committed to providing consumers with the benefits of fruit nutrients combined with the refreshment of water to help them live a healthy, happy lifestyle.  Every Fruit2O product still contains zero calories, zero sugar and zero to few carbohydrates per serving, just like the original Fruit2O flavored water. The Fruit2O brand is owned by the Sunny Delight Beverages Company, based in Cincinnati, Ohio. To learn more about Fruit2O water and its newest offerings, visit www.fruit2o.com.   

SOURCE Fruit2O