Chicago, IL (April 1, 2013) – Step aside sugar.  The next generation of sweet starts now.  Equal®, a leader among zero-calorie sweeteners and a trusted brand for more than 30 years, is breaking new ground with the launch of Equal® Next in Tampa and Orlando this month.  This great-tasting, new zero-calorie sweetener is a blend of aspartame and saccharin, sweeteners that are used in the Equal “blue” and Equal “pink” packets respectively.  When combined, these two sweeteners create a synergy that produces a clean, sugar-like taste.

Although many consumers are actively trying to cut calories and manage their sugar intake, staving off a sweet tooth can still be challenging.  Taste was the most important factor (83%) to buyers when choosing a sweetener, according to a Mintel study[1].  Now, consumers can have their cake and eat it too.  With a delicious, sugar-like taste, Equal Next delivers a sweet new alternative to sugar, without all of the added calories.  Equal Next dissolves well in hot and cold beverages, such as coffee, tea and iced tea.  Or, simply use it instead of sugar on cereal and fruit and in your favorite recipes.

“Equal Next offers a delicious new sweetener blend for sugar-enthusiasts and health-conscious consumers,” says Cheryl Gill, director, North America Marketing, Merisant US, Inc.  “It’s the next generation of sweet for sugar lovers, but without the extra calories and carbs.”

Equal Next is now available at select retailers in Tampa & Orlando in 100-ct boxes for a suggested retail price of $3.49.  Retail prices may vary by market.  Each packet (100 per box) sweetens like two teaspoons of sugar.  Discover more at www.equal.com.

About Equal®

For more than 30 years, Equal® has offered their trusted “blue” packets using the ingredient of aspartame.  The brand also offers Equal sucralose and Equal saccharin packets that deliver the quality and taste patrons expect.  Equal® is a registered trademark of Merisant Company.

About Merisant Company

Merisant Company, the manufacturer of Equal® brand zero-calorie sweetener, is a privately held company headquartered in Chicago.  Merisant is a global leader in the sweetener industry and has a presence in more than 90 countries with over 420 employees worldwide.

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Chicago, IL – (April 1, 2013) – Better Brands Beverage Co. announced that it has chosen Arkansas among the first markets to launch Salute American, a new brand with a purpose.  The Company’s inaugural offering is an American-made, premium vodka that’s committed to investing in the future of U.S. veterans who have proudly served their country.  To that end, the Company will donate one-dollar for every 750ml bottle sold to approved veterans’ charities – a declaration etched on every bottle.

This month, Salute American will commit $10,000 to the Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC). FVC works with military veterans in 48 states to find healing and meaningful careers in agriculture.  Among its programs is support for internships that provide at risk veterans with hands-on farming and business training.  With this donation, FVC will place an intern on Across the Creek Farm in West Fork, Arkansas, founded by Terrell “Spence” Spencer, who served two tours in Iraq with the US Army.

“We’re honored to receive this support to teach and create opportunities in farming for other vets,” said Mr. Spencer.  “Salute American’s generous donation will allow our vets to provide for their families while transforming themselves into America’s next generation of farming entrepreneurs.  Salute American’s gift isn’t just honorable and patriotic, it’s a game-changer for a young veteran family.”

Salute American is the brainchild of CEO-founder Pete Kelly, a passionate entrepreneur who wanted to make a difference in people’s lives through the ‘pay-it-forward’ philosophy.  Pete couldn’t think of a more deserving group than U.S. Veterans – a band of brothers with increasingly high unemployment and homelessness rates*.  Salute American became a practical way to help maintain and create jobs in the US for veterans, and to generate ongoing economic success, stronger families and stronger communities.

“Salute American is more than a name – it’s our mission,” said Pete Kelly, CEO-founder, Better Brands BevCo.  “We prove our patriotism by giving back and paying it forward.”

Salute Vodka is pure American from start to finish.  The vodka, which was approved for the USA Certified™ Seal, is made from corn and wheat grains straight from the heartland.  It’s then four times distilled for a smooth and sweet taste that works well mixed or neat.  The canteen-shaped bottle bearing the red, white and blue, was manufactured in Park Hills, Missouri, by Piramal, and distilled and bottled at Lidestri Spirits in Rochester, NY.

In addition to Arkansas, the brand is available in more than 400 on- and off-premise accounts in Missouri and Southern Illinois.  Salute American will launch in Indiana and Georgia in April and May respectively.  The suggested retail price for a 750ml bottle is $22.99, which may vary by market.  Salute American Vodka is 80-proof and 40% alcohol by volume.  The brand recently received a Silver Medal and an 87-point “highly recommended” rating from the prestigious Beverage Testing Institute in the category of “Best Value Vodka $20 and under.”  For more information, please visit www.saluteamerican.com “like” us on facebook and follow us on twitter @SaluteAmerican

* According to Labor Department Data, the unemployment rate among male veterans, ages 18-24, is nearly 27%.  There are currently more than 100,000 homeless Vets in the US.

About Better Brands BevCo.

Privately owned and Midwest-based, Better Brands Beverage Co. is a for-profit company committed to investing in Veterans Charities that create jobs for Veterans.  The Company was founded in 2012 by CEO Pete Kelly who passionately believes in making a difference in people’s lives through the ‘pay-it-forward’ philosophy.

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Chicago’s Favorite Independent Coffee Bar Sets Up Shop Within New Grocery Store’s Old Town Location

Chicago, IL (March 13, 2013) – Plum Market^®, your neighborhood connection to natural, organic, local and specialty items, is pleased to announce that Intelligentsia will bring its award winning coffees and baristas to the Company’s first Chicago store, located at 1233 North Wells Street in Old Town.

The new 1,200 square foot coffee bar, which will be situated adjacent to Plum Market, but independently operated, will open on June 13^th – the same day as the grand opening of the new grocery store.  It is the sixth Intelligentsia coffee bar to open in Chicago and one of five of its new retail coffee bars opening this year across the country.

“Partnering with Plum Market in the booming Old Town neighborhood was a no-brainer for us,” said Rob Buono, president of Intelligentsia.  ” We’re thrilled to work alongside a company with premium offerings that’s committed to supporting local businesses.”

The new coffee shop’s contemporary design plays host to communal seating, a glass coffee bar and tall ceilings allowing for plenty of natural light.  Architecture firm Gensler worked with the team at Intelligentsia to create a comfortable open space where people can enjoy remarkable coffee with minimal fuss.  A custom colored La Marzocco Strada EP espresso machine takes center stage on the glass bar, with a small area for bar service.  Intelligentsia’s renowned portfolio of single origin coffees will be available by batch brew for those wanting great coffee in a hurry, but also by the cup, for those who enjoy the ritual of a more involved brew method.

In addition to full-service grocery accommodations, including a high-quality selection of product at competitive prices, Plum Market features a vast eat-in and carryout assortment of foods made fresh daily.  The store’s beverage program will feature ongoing educational tasting events in its wine bar and an extensive selection of domestic and imported craft beers, premium and hard-to-find spirits and popular and boutique wines.

Plum Market, which inspires guests to “live well with taste,” is located at 1233 N. Wells St. at Division in Old Town.  The new 27,000 square foot store opens to the public on Thursday, June 13, with daily hours from 8:00am to 10:00pm.  Guests have access to free parking on the second level (validation required).  The Intelligentsia coffee bar, which will have a separate entrance on Wells Street, will be open from 6:00am – 7:00pm daily.

For more information, visit www.plummarket.com join us on facebook http://www.facebook.com/PlumMarketChicago and follow us @PlumMarket on twitter.

About Plum Market^®

Plum Market^® offers a full-service shopping experience to inspire guests to live well, with taste.  The company is a privately owned company based in Farmington Hills, Michigan and has full-service grocery stores in Bloomfield Township, Michigan; Ann Arbor, Michigan; and West Bloomfield, Michigan. Matthew Jonna and Marc Jonna are third generation retailers who grew up working for their father’s store, Merchant of Vino Marketplace, a natural, organic, and specialty food and wine store with six locations across the Midwest.  The chain attracted significant attention from competitors and in 1998 Whole Foods Market acquired the company. Both Jonna’s continued to work with the Whole Foods Market executive leadership team. Matt and Marc left Whole Foods Market to pursue developing a new grocery concept, later to become Plum Market with the first store location opening in 2007.

About Intelligentsia

Intelligentsia Coffee sources, roasts and brews specialty coffee from around the world.  The company pioneered the Direct Trade purchasing model and is known for promoting fresh harvested coffee through its In Season program.  Founder and Co-CEO Doug Zell opened the first coffee bar in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood in 1995 and has since expanded to Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York.  A team of 11 coffee buyers travels throughout the year to visit producer partners at origin and ensure the highest quality raw ingredient.  Every Intelligentsia coffee bar is designed to fit its neighborhood; from the choice of furniture and layout to the coffee equipment and menu design.  The design and execution of these coffee bars has led to Intelligentsia being considered one of the most innovative and premier coffee companies in the world.

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February 2013 – Louisville Distilling Company is giving whiskey enthusiasts something unique to look forward to this Father’s Day with the new release of Angel’s Envy™ Rye.  A super-premium whiskey of uncompromising character and quality, this divine creation displays famed Master Distiller Lincoln Henderson’s passion for experimenting outside of conventional norms and producing unique expressions steeped in tradition, but finished with a twist.

Angel’s Envy Rye is aged and conditioned according to Lincoln’s specific direction and intuition.  A self-proclaimed malcontent, Lincoln chose to use 95% rye and 5% malted barley and then aged the whiskey for six years in in American new charred oak barrels.  He then finished the whiskey in hand-selected Caribbean rum casks, which began as small French cognac barrels, for up to 18 months.  The mingling of raw, spicy and earthy rye notes paired with the sweetness imparted by rum finishing, results in an ultra smooth and accessible ultra-rye whiskey, even at 100 proof (tasting notes below).

“We considered finishing a spirit in rum casks for some time and ultimately felt that the spiciness of a well-rounded Rye provided the best pairing,” said Lincoln Henderson, Master Distiller, Angel’s Envy.  “We sourced and sampled more than 100 different rums, before unanimously choosing one with extraordinary richness that perfectly marries with our rye whiskey.”

The Louisville Distilling Company gave Lincoln complete creative freedom to achieve a specific taste profile for Angel’s Envy Rye.  An inaugural member in the Bourbon Hall of Fame, he prefers the original way of producing whiskey – making decisions based on the specific taste profile he wants to achieve.  So far, it has served him well.  Wine Enthusiast Magazine awarded Angel’s Envy 98 points – the highest-ever rating for a bourbon.  The world’s best bourbon also received a 93 rating from Whisky Advocate and was named the 2013 Editor’s Top Pick Award Of Excellence by Beverage Industry News.

Rye is a natural progression for Angel’s Envy, the super-premium artisan port finished bourbon.  Its’ success proves that whiskey enthusiasts will embrace non-traditional, one-of-a-kind expressions of whiskey.  As one of the original pioneers of the premium bourbon and whiskey categories in the U.S. with more than 40 years of experience, the living legend has one simple desire – to enjoy the art of making whiskey and to not rest on his laurels.

“Dad always says he’s not trying to fix bourbon – he’s just fine tuning it,” said Wes Henderson, Chief Operating Officer and Master Ambassador, Angel’s Envy.  “The true Renaissance of bourbon is just now arriving.  We’re proud to be trailblazers and feel fortunate to have hit the sweet spot again with Rye.”

Angel’s Envy Rye will be available in select states including: California, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Texas.

The suggested retail price for a 750ml bottle, which may vary by market, is $79.99.  Angel’s Envy Rye is 100 proof and 50% alcohol by volume.  Please visit us at www.angelsenvy.com or on facebook or twitter (@angels_envy).

The iconic bottle, made from perfume-grade glass in Italy and then ceramic stamped with the brand’s iconic wings, is hand-filled, corked and crated in Louisville, Kentucky.

As far as the name, tradition has it that for every year whiskey is aged, a little spirit is lost to evaporation.  This is known as the “Angel’s Share.”  Lincoln reckoned that he might be willing to lose a little more for his finest creation leaving behind the Angel’s Envy.

Tasting Notes:

Appearance: crystal clear, slight reddish amber

Nose: citrus, caramel candy, maple sugar, vanilla oak, hazel nut, spice, sherry wood

Palate: sweet/dry, rum sherry wood, soft rum sweetness

Finish: sweet/dry, rum, soft oak, quick and easy

Angel’s Envy 2013.  Heaven Can Wait.  Please Drink Responsibly.

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February 2013 – Pure Via^®, the all-natural, zero-calorie sweetener that’s made from the sweetest part of the stevia plant, now has a sweet new look.  Moving forward, both the brand’s packaging and website will feature a natural look and feel that better reflects the health-conscious and active lifestyle of the Pure Via user.

The new packaging features inviting earth tones, including warm and welcoming shades brown and green, which breathe new life into the brand.  The consumer’s eye is quickly drawn to the mouth-watering blueberries and raspberries dusted with Pure Via that sit atop a soft bed of stevia leaves.  While the brand was crafted to be perfect in coffee, Pure Via can also be used to sweeten other hot or cold drinks or sprinkled on cereal, fruit or yogurt.  The increased number of stevia leaves that now appear on the carton and in the brand’s logo communicate the circle of life, energy and movement.  As before, the eco-friendly packaging is made from 100% recycled fiber, with 35% post-consumer content, to help reduce the planet’s carbon footprint and save its forests.

The new Pure Via website contains similar earth tones along with striking photographs that portray the simple beauty of a bohemian lifestyle.  Easier navigation allows users to quickly find product information, healthy lifestyle tips, traditional recipes and tasty treats, as well as offers and promotions.  Visitors to the site can now also visit the “you” section to take a ‘Lifestyle Quiz,’ or use the sugar and body mass index (BMI) calculators to learn about their weight category and the amount of sugar they’re adding to their diet.

Pure Via^® is available in 40ct. and 80ct. boxes and a 4oz. jar for suggested retail prices of $2.49, $4.29 and $4.99 respectively.  Consumers can purchase Pure Via^® in the sweetener aisle at grocery, club and mass merchandise stores across the U.S. and online at www.purevia.com.   Pure Via^® is a registered trademark of Whole Earth Sweetener Company LLC.

Discover more at the newly designed www.purevia.com or www.facebook.com/PureViaUS   

About Whole Earth Sweetener Company LLC

Whole Earth Sweetener Company LLC is committed to providing natural sweeteners and to helping people eat better and live healthier, more fulfilling lives.  Formed in 2006, Whole Earth Sweetener Company LLC launched its first all-natural sweetener brand, Sweet Simplicity®, in 2007, and the company continues to develop products that are perfectly natural and naturally pure.  Whole Earth Sweetener Company LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Merisant Company, the maker of Equal® and Canderel® and a global leader in the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of tabletop sweeteners, with sales in over 90 countries.  For more information, visit www.wholeearthsweetener.com

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February 2013 — Plum Market, Old Town’s neighborhood connection to natural, organic, local and specialty items, is proud to announce a partnership with Chef Takashi Yagihashi, who will oversee the new store’s sushi station.

In addition to full-service grocery accommodations, Plum Market features a vast eat-in and carryout assortment of foods made fresh daily in a designated area of the store known as Plum Kitchen.  “Tabo Sushi by Takashi” will make an exciting addition to the store’s offerings, featuring made to order restaurant-caliber cuisine and a variety of sushi rolls and maki, that are perfect for health-conscious foodies on-the-go.  “Tabo” comes from a nickname Takashi had as a “turbo-charged” child.

“We’re very excited to begin working with Plum Market Old Town Chicago upon their opening this June,” said Chef Takashi Yagihashi of Takashi and Slurping Turtle.  “Our house-made sushi will be the perfect choice for locals looking for high-quality, natural and organic offerings in their neighborhood.”

Chef Yagihashi adds Plum Market to an impressive culinary career.  His experiences have brought him from Japan to Chicago, Detroit, Las Vegas and ultimately back to Chicago where he opened Bucktown’s Takashi, Noodles by Takashi Yagihashi, and River North’s Slurping Turtle.  Chef Yagihashi has been recognized by the esteemed James Beard Foundation as well as Gourmet, Food & Wine, Bon Appetit, Esquire and has received numerous awards including “Best Chef: Midwest,” a three-time Michelin star recipient including the recent 2013 honor for Takashi and a Michelin Bib Gourmet Award for Slurping Turtle.  He also competed on Bravo Top Chef Masters and won the “Fan Favorite” award.

Plum Market is located at 1233 N. Wells St. at Division in Old Town.  The new 27,000 square foot store opens to the public on Thursday, June 13, with daily hours from 8:00am to 10:00pm.  Guests have access to free parking on the second level (validation required).

For more information, visit www.plummarket.com join us on facebook http://www.facebook.com/PlumMarketChicago and follow us @PlumMarket on twitter.

About Plum Market

Plum Market offers a full-service shopping experience to inspire guests to live well, with taste.  The company is a privately owned company based in Farmington Hills, Michigan and has full-service grocery stores in Bloomfield Township, Michigan; Ann Arbor, Michigan; and West Bloomfield, Michigan. Matthew Jonna and Marc Jonna are third generation retailers who grew up working for their father’s store, Merchant of Vino Marketplace, a natural, organic, and specialty food and wine store with six locations across the Midwest.  The chain attracted significant attention from competitors and in 1998 Whole Foods Market acquired the company. Both Jonna’s continued to work with the Whole Foods Market executive leadership team. Matt and Marc left Whole Foods Market to pursue developing a new grocery concept, later to become Plum Market with the first store location opening in 2007.

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