Hy-Vee, Hormel Team Up for '08 Hy-Vee Triathlon

DES MOINES, Iowa - As part of its ongoing commitment to health and wellness, Hormel Foods is once again collaborating with Hy-Vee Stores here as a key sponsor of the retailer's 2008 triathlon.

The 2008 Hy-Vee Triathlon, held the weekend of June 20-22 in Des Moines, is an Olympic Team Selection Event for U.S. athletes who are competing for the chance to race on the global stage. While world audiences anxiously await the opening of the Beijing 2008 Summer Games, this Olympic qualifying event will offer a glimpse of the athleticism to be showcased in August.

Beth Damm, Hy-Vee's director of sales and promotions said, "Through this sponsorship, as well as consumer education events and awards, we will increase awareness for triathletes, the sport and the benefits of well-balanced lifestyles."

Both Hy-Vee and Hormel "are dedicated to helping consumers get active and make smart, healthy food choices," said Eric Steinbach, senior product manager, Hormel Foods, adding that the sponsorship provides Hormel an excellent opportunity to showcase its wide line of nutritious, lean protein offerings that are a key part of a well-balanced diet in an environment that cultivates the importance of an active lifestyle.

Through Hormel Foods' sponsorship of the triathlon, the company aims to build awareness for the sport, as well as inspire people of all ages by revealing inspirational stories of triathletes. Hormel Foods is sponsoring one such athlete, Jarrod Shoemaker, a professional triathlete and member of the 2008 Olympic team. Shoemaker will not only compete in the Des Moines triathlon, but will also attend pre-triathlon events in Kansas City, Sioux City and Rochester, where he will share his triathlon experiences, encourage kids to follow their dreams and emphasize the role of nutrition in making those dreams come true.

In addition to the run venue sponsorship at the Hy-Vee Triathlon, Hormel Foods is supporting several elements of the weekend event, including the Hy-Vee Triathlon Kids Fest; Hormel Village, a series of product brand booths that will allow attendees to sample Hormel products and become more aware of their health and wellness aspects and; the DiLusso Deli Elite Athlete Tent that will feature DiLusso signature sandwiches and salads.

Hy-Vee Inc. is an employee-owned corporation operating 222 retail stores in seven Midwestern states. For 2006 the company recorded total sales of $5.3 billion, ranking it among the top 20 supermarket chains and the top 40 private companies in the U.S.
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