Old Orchard Brands Advances Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Partnership with Additional Funding

07/08/07 Leading juice beverage manufacturer, Old Orchard Brands, announced a new program to increase its support of The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International (JDRF), the world's leading supporter of medical research on type 1 diabetes and related complications, with up to $1,000,000 of new funding. The JDRF Healthy Balance Challenge launches today and continues through January 31, 2008.

The JDRF Healthy Balance Challenge will raise funds through a Universal Product Code (UPC) collection program to coincide with the non-profit's more than 150 "Walk to Cure Diabetes" events to be held across the U.S. this fall. Old Orchard will earmark $.20 to the JDRF for each UPC label collected from its Healthy Balance line of low-sugar fruit juice cocktails. In turn, the JDRF will work with its local "walk" families and constituents to ensure each one of its more than 200 walk events is a successful collection point in the drive.

This incremental funding is above and beyond the nearly $650,000 worth of cash and product donations Old Orchard has pledged through 2009 as part of the original partnership forged with the JDRF last year.

The partnership is based on Old Orchard's popular line of low-sugar, reduced-calorie Healthy Balance fruit juice cocktails, the leading reduced-sugar fruit juice on the market. The line includes 13 varieties, and it can be found at nearly every major grocery chain nationwide for an average retail price of $2.49 per 64-ounce bottle.

The line works well in diets that require careful management of blood sugar levels, carbohydrates and calories, such as those of people with diabetes. Each of the fruit juice cocktails contain 75 percent less sugar, carbohydrates and calories compared to other juice products of the same variety.

Old Orchard Brands is one of the nation's leading fruit juice brands. The Company produces more than 80 million bottles of juice annually.

"We are grateful to have partners such as Old Orchard Brands who care deeply about the work we do in researching a cure for type 1 diabetes," said Arnold Donald, CEO of the JDRF. "They continue to support our organization with innovative retail-driven programs that increase funding for research, and that's a rare and valuable partner to have."

"The JDRF is making a tremendous difference in the lives of many children living with diabetes, and we are fortunate to be in a position to advance the great work they do," said Mark Saur, president and founder of Old Orchard Brands. "This partnership is a perfect match for both the foundation and for the families looking to provide their kids with good beverage alternatives that fit well within sugar-restricted diets."

As a bonus incentive, the JDRF walk family that collects the most UPCs will win a 2008 Mazda Tribute, courtesy of Old Orchard. Direct employees of the JDRF are not eligible to win.

Those not directly affiliated with the JDRF can participate in the drive by sending UPCs to: JDRF Healthy Balance Challenge c/o Old Orchard Brands, P.O. Box 66, Sparta, MI 49345. Old Orchard will donate $.20 per UPC for type 1 diabetes research.