Starbucks Will Offer Silk, America’s Top-Selling Soymilk, in Its North American Locations Beginning This Year
BOULDER, Colo. and DALLAS, Feb 13, 2003 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ –White Wave, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dean Foods Company (NYSE: DF) today
announced an exclusive relationship that will make Silk(R) soymilk the brand of
choice in approximately 4,000 Starbucks locations in North America beginning
this summer.
Starbucks will offer an exclusive Silk soymilk formula, specifically designed to
complement their hand-crafted beverages using Starbucks signature espresso roast
and Tazo(R) Chai. This exclusive Silk formula is non-GMO, organic and kosher.
The Silk soymilk brand will be identified on the menu boards in all Starbucks
coffee stores and the two companies plan to support Silk’s availability at
Starbucks with joint consumer advertising and in-store promotions. In addition,
Starbucks will offer cold, on-the-go Silk Single Serves in select markets.
Financial terms of the business arrangement were not disclosed.
“Starbucks is committed to offering the highest quality beverages that appeal to
our wide and diverse customer base,” said Darren Huston, Starbucks Senior Vice
President of Branded Products. “We searched for a soymilk partner that is known
and respected as a leader; Silk is that brand.”
“Our partnership with Starbucks takes White Wave’s mission to the next level,”
says Steve Demos, White Wave Founder and President. “White Wave remains
committed to creatively leading the full integration of natural soy foods into
the mainstream American diet through socially responsible and environmentally
sustainable business practices. This partnership furthers that mission by making
Silk available to millions of loyal Starbucks customers every day.”
Soymilk use has grown dramatically in recent years. Since 1996 when Silk was
introduced, the total soymilk category has grown from $124 million in U.S. sales
to approximately $675 million in sales in 2002, according to Soyatech, Inc.
Silk, the No. 1 selling organic packaged goods brand in the United States, has
grown to approximately a $350 million brand at retail.
About White Wave and Dean Foods
White Wave, Inc. ( www.SilkIsSoy.com ), a wholly owned subsidiary of Dean Foods
(NYSE: DF), was established in Boulder, Colo. in 1977. In 1996, White Wave
introduced Silk, America’s first refrigerated soymilk. Today, Silk is the No. 1
selling organic consumer packaged goods brand in the nation. White Wave’s
product offerings include Silk soymilk, Sun Soy(R) soymilk, and a variety of
other soy-based products such as White Wave Tempeh, Seitan, Baked Tofu and Silk
Cultured Soy yogurt.
Dean Foods Company is one of the nation’s leading food and beverage companies.
The company produces a full line of company-branded and private label dairy
products such as milk and milk-based beverages, ice cream, coffee creamers, half
and half, whipping cream, whipped toppings, sour cream, cottage cheese, yogurt,
dips, dressings and soymilk. The company is also a leading supplier of pickles
and other specialty food products, juice, juice drinks and water. The company
operates over 120 plants in 38 U.S. states and in Spain, and employs more than
30,000 people.
For further information please contact: Elizabeth Neid, or Carmichael Lynch
Spong, both of White Wave, Inc., +1-720-946-6334; or Cory Olson, Senior Vice
President, Treasurer, +1-214-303-3645, or P.I. Aquino, Assistant Treasurer,
+1-214-303-3437, both of Dean Foods Company.
SOURCE Dean Foods Company
CONTACT: Elizabeth Neid, or Carmichael Lynch Spong, both of White Wave,
Inc., +1-720-946-6334; or Cory Olson, Senior Vice President, Treasurer,
+1-214-303-3645, or P.I. Aquino, Assistant Treasurer, +1-214-303-3437, both of
Dean Foods Company
URL: http://www.SilkIsSoy.com
http://www.deanfoods.com
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