Del Monte Challenges At-Home Cooks to "Add Some Garden"

News provided by

Nov 07, 2012, 08:57 ET

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Whether it's taco night in your household or you've been asked to create your famous roast chicken, adding garden quality ingredients to your dish is just a pantry away, thanks to Del Monte canned fruits, vegetables and tomatoes.

Del Monte fruits and vegetables are grown in the best growing regions of the United States, providing consumers with a consistently quality product. The majority of Del Monte products are picked at the peak of ripeness and canned on the same day, to ensure nutrients and flavor are locked in.

"Government recommendations call for at least 2 ½ cups of fruits and veggies a day – the goal should be to fill half your plate with all forms of fruits and veggies at every meal. Unfortunately, Americans aren't even eating half this amount," says Sarah Ludmer, Senior Nutritionist, Del Monte Foods. "Del Monte canned fruits and vegetables contain the same essential nutrients as fresh making them a tasty, nutritious addition to any meal."

With eight out of 10 household pantries containing a Del Monte canned product, Del Monte is challenging their fans to submit creative tips on how they make good meals great by conveniently adding a can of Del Monte fruit or vegetables to their recipe repertoire. For instance, taking lasagna to the next level by layering in green beans, or adding pureed green beans to a creamy broccoli soup, for a delicious and nutritious twist.

From November 5^th to February 4^th, Del Monte Facebook fans can enter the Del Monte "Add Some Garden" contest for the chance to win one of the many prizes available, including kitchen appliances, and $25 or $500 gift cards to Williams Sonoma.

The Del Monte "Add Some Garden" contest is broken into five phases to highlight a different Del Monte canned variety every two weeks:

Green beans (November 5- November 18)
Corn (November 19- December 2)
Tomatoes (December 3- December 16)
Peaches (January 7- January 20)
Pears (January 21- February 3)

Fans will have five days during each phase to submit their best tips, and consumers will be able to vote for their favorite tip during the second week of each phase. The five winning tips for each phase will then go head-to-head for a chance to win a Grand Prize culinary travel adventure, valued at $10,000, which will be announced February 15^th.

For more information and to submit your recipe tip visit the Del Monte Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/delmonte/app_197851930337195.

About Del Monte Foods
Del Monte Foods is one of the country's largest and most well-known producers, distributors and marketers of premium quality, branded pet products and food products for the U.S. retail market, generating approximately $3.7 billion in net sales in fiscal 2012. With a powerful portfolio of brands, Del Monte products are found in eight out of ten U.S. households. Pet food and pet snacks brands include Meow Mix®, Kibbles 'n Bits®, Milk-Bone®, 9Lives®, Milo's Kitchen™, Pup-Peroni®, Gravy Train®, Nature's Recipe®, Canine Carry-Outs ® and other brand names. Food product brands include Del Monte®, Contadina®, S&W®, College Inn® and other brand names. The Company also produces and distributes private label pet products and food products. For more information on Del Monte Foods, visit the Company's website at www.delmonte.com.

* The Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet, so your values may change depending on your calorie needs. The values here may not be 100% accurate because the recipes have not been professionally evaluated nor have they been evaluated by the U.S. FDA.

SOURCE Del Monte Foods