Creating Healthy Diets for New York City School Students Gardenburger Added to New York City School District Cafeteria Menus NEW YORK, March 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Childhood obesity is a major public health problem. According to the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), more than 1 in 5 children in the United States are overweight; and the health problem is expected to plague these children into adulthood. School districts and companies alike are working together to instill healthy eating habits in America's youth, which, if developed during childhood can curb the epidemic. Gardenburger (OTC:GBUR) (BULLETIN BOARD: GBUR) , the creator of the meatless category, and the New York City School District's SchoolFood program are making a bold step in improving dietary habits for the district's one million students. Starting today, these students can enjoy one of America's favorite foods -- the hamburger -- veggie style. Gardenburger's Hamburger-style Classic Burger will be featured today on cafeteria menus in all 1,500 schools citywide. "Gardenburger and the New York City School district are committed to promoting healthy eating among students," said Scott Wallace, CEO of Gardenburger. "Studies prove that introducing children to healthier alternatives is a step towards curbing childhood and adult obesity. Substituting a veggie burger for a hamburger significantly reduces the amount of fat, calories and cholesterol, which are important practices for a healthy lifestyle." A unique one day promotion, "Veggie Power" kicks off the introduction of Gardenburger's Hamburger Style Classic in middle and high schools. The promotion encourages students to "Turn up the veggie volume on March 29th for a chance to win a super cool Apple iPod(TM) Shuffle and other great prizes." About SchoolFood and the New York City School District SchoolFood is a comprehensive program created by the New York City Department of Education to improve nutrition in local schools. Recognizing that well-fed, well-nourished children are better equipped to learn, SchoolFood is working to provide more appealing and nutritious foods and a more inviting environment for students. The first step of this effort establishes higher and more comprehensive nutritional standards for all food and drinks sold in schools, starting with the school meal program and including food and drinks sold in school vending machines and school stores. To learn more about the SchoolFood program, log on to http://www.opt-osfns.org/osfns or call 718.729.6100. About Gardenburger Gardenburger pioneered the meatless food category 20 years ago with the invention of the original veggie burger created by health food guru Paul Wenner. The company's balanced approach to healthful living has led them to be the only national company in the frozen meatless category to use only 100% natural ingredients in all of their products. Gardenburger's meatless menu includes more than 20 items, ranging from burgers, appetizers, meatless specialties, and a first in the meatless category -- protein-based meatless frozen entrees. Gardenburger's retail customers include more than 30,000 grocery, natural food and club stores. Its meatless products are also distributed to more than 35,000 foodservice outlets throughout the United States and Canada. Based in Irvine, Calif. the company employs approximately 185 people. http://www.gardenburger.com/. CONTACT: Gladys Garcia 714-385-8188 DATASOURCE: Gardenburger CONTACT: Gladys Garcia, +1-714-385-8188, , for Gardenburger Web site: http://www.opt-osfns.org/osfns Web site: http://www.gardenburger.com/

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