Chobani Coming to K-12 Schools through USDA Pilot

NEW BERLIN, N.Y., Aug. 1, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Chobani, maker of America's No. 1 selling Greek Yogurt brand, was selected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in a competitive bid process to exclusively provide Greek Yogurt for K-12 school meal programs. The four-state pilot program—happening now in New York, Idaho, Arizona and Tennessee—will make the popular Greek Yogurt, which has two times more protein than regular unstrained yogurt, more affordable for school leaders to put on their menus. To learn more about the pilot and Chobani's involvement, visit www.gogreekinschool.com.

"We strongly believe that everyone, especially kids, should have access to simple, delicious, nourishing foods so we are thrilled to bring our authentic strained Greek Yogurt to K-12 schools as part of the USDA's pilot program," said Chobani Chief Communications Officer Nicki Briggs, MS, RD. "Families are choosing Greek Yogurt at home due to its many benefits; now more kids will find Chobani in their school cafeterias too. Offering food options that deliver on taste and nutrition, like Greek Yogurt, will encourage children to develop healthy, balanced eating habits."

The pilot program, which is designed to evaluate the success of adding Greek Yogurt to school meal programs as a healthy protein choice for students, will be activated in the four participating states this fall. The USDA will evaluate the program and determine next steps by December 2013.

Chobani's authentic strained Greek Yogurt is delicious and nutritious, providing two times more protein than regular, unstrained yogurt. It also does not use milk protein concentrates and animal-based thickeners, ingredients some manufacturers add as thickeners to make "Greek-style" yogurts.

About Chobani
Maker of America's No. 1 selling Greek Yogurt brand, Chobani was founded on the belief that people have great taste, they just need great options. That is why Chobani produces only the highest quality authentic strained Greek Yogurt products made with only natural ingredients out of its New Berlin, N.Y. plant and its new one million square-foot production facility in Twin Falls, Idaho. As part of Chobani's nothing but good philosophy, it is committed to supporting local farmers and strengthening its surrounding area economies. Chobani uses milk from local-area farms and gives 10 percent of its annual profits to charities worldwide through the Shepherd's Gift Foundation, the company's charitable arm. All Chobani products are Kosher certified, made with milk from cows not treated with rBST* and provide five live and active cultures, with most of our products offering two times more protein than regular, unstrained yogurt. Chobani products are available nationwide, and in Australia and the UK. Chobani is pleased to offer consumers a variety of nothing but good products: Chobani Greek Yogurt, Chobani Bite, Chobani Flip and Chobani Champions. For more information, please visit chobani.com or connect with Chobani on Facebook at facebook.com/chobani. 

*According to the FDA, no significant difference has been found between milk derived from rBST-treated and non-rBST treated cows.

SOURCE Chobani