Chobani Joins Team USA

The U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) has named Chobani the official packaged yogurt provider to the USOC and Team USA through 2014. The top yogurt brand in the United States represents not only a new sponsor, but also a new category addition, for the USOC.

“Through its ongoing commitment to creating healthy products and promoting healthy lifestyle choices, we know Chobani will be a great partner in the effort to support the competitive aspirations of current and future Team USA athletes,” said Lisa Baird, chief marketing officer for the Colorado Springs, Colo.-based USOC, which serves as both the National Olympic Committee and National Paralympic Committee for the United States.

Under the agreement, Chobani products will bear the Team USA and Olympic rings logo. The brand’s SKUs will also be made available to every athlete living or training at official U.S. Olympic Training Centers in Colorado Springs’ Chula Vista, Calif.; and Lake Placid, N.Y.

“We know that Chobani plays an important role in the diets of so many people -- from America’s top athletes training to perform at the highest levels, to those consumers looking to live a healthful lifestyle,” noted Hamdi Ulukaya, president, CEO and founder of Chobani, a brand of Norwich, N.Y.-based Agro-Farma.

“[W]e expect [Chobani] products to become a significant part of the Team USA athlete diet,” added Alan Ashley, the USOC’s chief of sport performance. “Chobani will play an important role by providing high-quality protein to our athletes, especially in the recovery phase, when the addition of protein has muscle-building effects.”