Larabar Asks Americans to #ShareRealFood

Larabar Asks Americans to #ShareRealFood

Creator of original fruit & nut bars announces partnership with Feeding America to help advance mission of providing real food for all

PR Newswire, MINNEAPOLIS, Jan. 28, 2016
Snack bar maker Larabar is launching a movement inspired by the brand’s foundational belief to make simple and wholesome food accessible for all and joining Feeding America® in the fight to end hunger along the way. The partnership is part of a larger integrated marketing campaign titled “Food Made From Food” that challenges consumer misperceptions of packaged food.

According to a recent survey commissioned by Larabar, 72 percent of participants responded that there is a difference between packaged food and real food. However, the majority also believe that primary Larabar ingredients fruits and nuts are real food at 90 and 78 percent, respectively. By highlighting the whole, simple ingredients within each bar, Larabar aims to show consumers just how easy it can be to choose real food.

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“We believe that the foundation of a sound mind, body and spirit is derived from what you eat, and what you eat is most delicious and satisfying when it's in a whole, natural state,” says Lara Merriken, Larabar founder. “The success of Larabar is a testament to others sharing that same belief and I’m excited to expand the accessibility of real food to more Americans in need through our partnership with Feeding America.”

I pledge to join @larabar and @feedingamerica to #ShareRealFood in my community 

With the help of “The Real Girl’s Kitchen” star Haylie Duff, Larabar kicks off the initiative through a $150,000 donation to Feeding America. Consumers are invited to help extend the mission by sharing a photo, video or a tweet with #ShareRealFood or by participating in one of the following ways.

  • Donating to a Feeding America member food bank in their community
  • Volunteering at a local Feeding America memeber food bank
  • Asking a local food bank how to help fight hunger in their community
  • Sharing a hunger fact on social media
  • Learning more about hunger in their community

As part of the campaign, Larabar’s first-ever television commercial began airing Jan. 25 to educate that even though Larabar is packaged, it is “food made from food.” The commercial features a remake of “Little Boxes,” sung by indie pop band, Lucius.

“As we take the national stage with our first TV ad, we are spreading our mission at a critical time. The holiday giving season has come to a close, which can leave food banks in need of more support for the millions of Americans who struggle with hunger,” says Rosanne Ranta, Larabar’s associate marketing manager.  “This partnership with Feeding America will help address the issue by empowering the community to join in helping to #ShareRealFood across America.”

To learn more about Larabar, visit www.Larabar.com/our-purpose/feeding-america or the Larabar Facebook page.

About LARABAR®
Founded in 2003 by Lara Merriken, LARABAR now offers more than 20 flavors of the Original Fruit & Nut Food Bar, each made from just fruits, nuts, and spices. Dedicated to simplicity and minimal processing, the brand has expanded to include 6 flavors of LARABAR uber®, 4 flavors of LARABAR ALT®, and a new grain free granola called LARABAR RENOLA™. Everything LARABAR offers is Gluten Free, Non-GMO, and Kosher, with the majority of the products being Soy Free, Dairy Free, and Vegan. LARABAR can be found at a variety of natural, specialty, and traditional grocers, as well as online. For more information, visit www.LARABAR.com or call 800-543-2147.

About Feeding America®
Feeding America is the nationwide network of 200 food banks that leads the fight against hunger in the United States. Together, we provide food to more than 46 million people through 60,000 food pantries and meal programs in communities across America. Feeding America also supports programs that improve food security among the people we serve; educates the public about the problem of hunger; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry. Individuals, charities, businesses and government all have a role in ending hunger. Donate. Volunteer. Advocate. Educate. Together we can solve hunger. Visit www.feedingamerica.org, find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

About the Survey
The survey was conducted online within the United States by Opinion Research Corporation on behalf of Larabar. The general population survey was a self-administered survey among 1,000 adults (ages 18+).

Media Contact:

Katie Illera
Ketchum for Larabar
[email protected]
(312) 228-6891

Mike Siemienas
General Mills
[email protected]
(763) 764-6364