Eden Prairie, MN, Thursday, Sept. 1 — A sweet way to stay healthy got a little sweeter this summer. C.H. Robinson's Pink Ribbon Watermelon program will donate $230,000 on behalf of retailers nationwide to breast cancer research organizations this year, doubling the program's donation total since 2008.
The Pink Ribbon Watermelon program allows retailers to participate in a comprehensive program that includes consistent supply, in-store support and a cause-marketing component. The results of the program have led to increased sales for retailers and greater donations.
"The Pink Ribbon Watermelon program has been meaningful to retailers, through increased category sales, and consumers, through education and positively supporting their communities," said Drew Schwartzhoff, director of produce marketing at C.H. Robinson. "As a leader in the watermelon category, we're excited to see such a positive response."
Including this year's donation, the Pink Ribbon Watermelon program has donated over $460,000 on behalf of participating retailers to non-profit organizations focused on breast cancer research and prevention throughout the United States. One of the non-profit organizations is Susan G. Komen for the Cure® in Minnesota.
"With the funds raised from the program, we're able to fund critically important breast cancer research, screening, treatment and education programs in the community. We're honored to be the beneficiary of such a great program," said David Egan, co-executive director of the Minnesota Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®.
Watermelon is fat free and is a source of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant. According to the American Institute of Cancer, studies have shown that a cup and a half of watermelon contains about 9 to 13 milligrams of lycopene, on average about 40 percent more lycopene than raw tomatoes. The U.S. Department of Health stated that many scientists have found that diets high in lycopene correlates with reduced incidence of certain types of cancer.
###
ABOUT C.H. ROBINSON WORLDWIDE, INC.
C.H. Robinson got its start in the produce industry over 100 years ago, providing fresh fruits and vegetables to the settlers of the Dakotas and Minnesota. Today, C.H. Robinson is a Fortune 500 company and one of the largest produce sourcing and third party logistics companies in the world with annual gross revenues of approximately $9.3 billion in 2010. C.H. Robinson sources the highest quality products while integrating value-added logistics, distribution, and information reporting services. C.H. Robinson works with many well known North American consumer brands including Glory Foods, Mott's®, Welch's®, and Tropicana® and offers a full line of conventional and organic produce through a large network of regional and local growers. The company serves over 36,000 customers through a network of more than 230 offices and over 8,000 employees in North America, Europe, Asia, South America, Australia and the Middle East.
Through the company and its Foundation, C.H. Robinson and its employees contribute millions of dollars annually to a variety of organizations, including the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Community Health Charities, the American Logistics Aid Network, Children's Hospital and Clinics of Minnesota, Sustainable Harvest International, and the United Way. The company is headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, and has been publicly traded on the Nasdaq since 1997. For more information about C.H. Robinson, visit http://www.chrobinson.com/.
