Baking Tradition Rolls Into Fort Smith

FORT WORTH, Texas, Nov. 1, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Mrs Baird's® Bakeries, one of the country's largest wholesale baking companies, announced today that it is opening new distribution routes in the Fort Smith, Arkansas area.  The initial launch also includes stores in Van Buren, Alma, Greenwood, Sallisaw, Poteau, Stigler and Mena. This is the first time Mrs Baird's baked goods will be available in area grocery stores. A family tradition since 1908, Mrs Baird's Bakeries maintains a commitment to quality and a no shortcuts approach to baking.

"We are excited to enter into the Fort Smith area," said Mrs Baird's Director of Sales Jerry Cureton.  "Many consumers are already familiar with Mrs Baird's baked goods and have asked when our products will be available to them.  I am pleased to say that for the first time consumers in Fort Smith will have the opportunity to taste the freshness and quality that has made the Mrs Baird's brand legendary.  For those not familiar with our products, we are excited to introduce them to our varieties of nutritious wheat breads, white breads and popular sweet baked goods.  We know they will quickly become family favorites."

As part of the Fort Smith launch, Mrs Baird's Bakeries will add new delivery routes serving grocery and convenience stores and restaurant locations. The company has already moved into a distribution center in Fort Smith and plans on calling the area home for a long time.

"We want to introduce ourselves, get involved locally in the Fort Smith community, and truly be a good neighbor," said Cureton. "Our goal is to grow our business here in Fort Smith."

As part of being a good neighbor, Mrs Baird's Bakeries is proud to also announce its partnership with the River Valley Regional Food Bank in Fort Smith. Over the next three months, Mrs Baird's Bakeries will donate 10,000 loaves of fresh bread to the food bank. In addition, Mrs Baird's Bakeries will host food donation events at area grocery stores the week of October 25th to raise food and money for the food bank. In appreciation of their donation, consumers will also be entered into drawings for Free Bread for a Year.

Mrs Baird's bread brings more than 100 years of baking tradition to Fort Smith, with a selection of white, wheat and whole grain breads, each with its own unique flavors and wholesome, nutritious goodness. Consumers will enjoy Mrs Baird's traditional White Breads, including a made with whole grain variety. Also a complete line of wheat breads including 100% Whole Wheat, Honey Wheat and Honey 7 Grain enhanced with Antioxidants Vitamins A & E. Consumers on a special diet will enjoy the Mrs Baird's Sugar Free Whole Grain Wheat. In addition, Mrs Baird's will offer a complete line of buns and rolls to complement any meal or barbeque.

Mrs Baird's will also present its select line of sweet goods. Consumers will enjoy the company's famous and wonderfully soft and delicious powdered sugar, cinnamon sugar and chocolate frosted donuts in convenient "Grab 'n Go" bags. Other tempting treats include apple and cherry pies, cinnamon rolls, honey buns and many more.

In addition to Mrs Baird's products, consumers in the Fort Smith area will also enjoy other baking brands within the Mrs Baird's Bakeries family including Oroweat® premium breads, recognized for whole grain varieties for healthy active lifestyles. Consumers will now have the opportunity to try Oroweat Sandwich Thins® rolls, a unique and original innovation for sandwiches and burgers. Also available are one-of-a-kind Thomas'® English muffins and bagels along with authentic Tia Rosa® chips and tortillas, and delicious Boboli® pizza crusts and sauce.

About Mrs Baird's

Mrs Baird's products are produced by Bimbo Bakeries USA (BBU) which operates 34 bakeries in the United States and distributes top brands such as Arnold®, Bimbo®, Boboli®, Brownberry®, Entenmann's®, Francisco®, Freihofer's®, Marinela®, Oroweat®, Stroehmann®, Thomas'®,  and Tia Rosa,® through more than 7,000 routes. Bimbo Bakeries USA is headquartered in Horsham, PA, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mexico's Grupo Bimbo, S.A.B de C.V., one of the world's largest baking companies with over 104,000 associates and operations in 17 countries throughout the Americas and China.  More information about Mrs Baird's full line of products can be found at www.mrsbairds.com.

SOURCE Mrs Baird's Bakeries