Chefs Participate in Weight Watchers National Lose For Good(TM) Campaign With 'Chefs Lose For Good' Initiative at the 2009 Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival
Presented by Food & Wine and Travel + Leisure Magazines and Held in Conjunction With Festival Beneficiary Share Our Strength(R)
NEW YORK, Sept. 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival founder and director Lee Schrager is pleased to announce that participating chefs of this year's Festival have been invited to join a special "Chefs Lose For Good" initiative with Weight Watchers. This is part of Weight Watchers second annual national Lose For Good(TM) campaign through which Weight Watchers aims to donate up to $1 million to go toward ending childhood hunger.
"Chefs Lose For Good is a perfect example of how participating Festival talent is taking their commitment to the Festival's beneficiaries to the next level," says Schrager. "We are grateful for their dedication and participation in this initiative, and thank Weight Watchers for providing us with an additional opportunity to work with Share Our Strength(R) to end childhood hunger in America."
Festival chefs who have confirmed their participation in the "Chefs Lose For Good" initiative include among others: Michael Lomonaco (Porter House New York), Philippe Massoud (ilili), Anita Lo (Annisa), Elizabeth Karmel (Hill Country), Jacques Torres (Jacques Torres Chocolate), and the Festival's own Lee Schrager. Beginning the first week in September and ending on October 8th, 2009, the start of the Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival, these chefs have committed to dropping the pounds to help Weight Watchers inspire people to get healthy and give back to their communities. The chef's weight-loss will help Weight Watchers support hunger relief organizations like Share Our Strength(R).
The national Lose For Good(TM) campaign from Weight Watchers recently kicked off its second year. As Members and online subscribers lose weight from August 30th to October 17th, 2009, Weight Watchers will donate up to $1 million to two hunger fighting organizations -- Share Our Strength and Action Against Hunger. Members can also participate in local food drives at Weight Watchers meeting locations. Jenny McCarthy, a passionate activist and actress, has also joined the campaign to generate awareness about this important cause. As a campaign ambassador, McCarthy will participate in media appearances and appear in a public service announcement encouraging Americans to get healthier while also helping to end hunger. Last year's campaign participants donated 1.5 million pounds of food and lost 4 millions pounds to help fight childhood hunger. More information on the campaign can be found at www.weightwatchers.com/loseforgood.
The 2009 Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival takes place October 8-11th, 2009! Ticket information and the full line-up of new and returning events can be found at www.nycwineandfoodfestival.com, or by calling 866.969.2933. For more Festival updates follow founder and director Lee Schrager on Twitter, www.twitter.com/Lee_Schrager.
About the Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival
The 2009 Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival is produced by Karlitz & Company and Southern Wine & Spirits of New York. Southern Wine & Spirits of New York is also the exclusive provider of wine and spirits at the Festival. Hosted by and benefiting the Food Bank For New York City and Share Our Strength(R), 100% of the Festival's net proceeds go toward helping these community based organizations fight hunger.
About The Food Bank For New York City
The Food Bank For New York City recognizes 26 years as the city's major hunger-relief organization working to end food poverty throughout the five boroughs. Through its network of more than 1,000 food assistance programs, the Food Bank provides 300,000 free meals a day to New Yorkers in need. In addition, the Food Bank continues to mobilize its efforts to end hunger and increase access to affordable, nutritious food for low-income New Yorkers through direct services, benefits access, and nutrition education. For additional information, go to foodbanknyc.org.
About Share Our Strength
Share Our Strength(R) is the leading national organization working to make sure no kid in America grows up hungry. By weaving together a net of community groups, activists and food programs, Share Our Strength catches children at risk of hunger and ensures they have nutritious food where they live, learn and play. Working closely with the culinary industry, Share Our Strength creates engaging, pioneering programs like Share Our Strength's Taste of the Nation(R), the nation's premier culinary benefit; Share Our Strength's Great American Bake Sale(R), a national grassroots effort; Share Our Strength's A Tasteful Pursuit(R), a touring dinner series; Share Our Strength's Great American Dine Out(R), a week-long program involving thousands of restaurants nationwide; and Share Our Strength's Operation Frontline(R), a cooking-based nutrition education program. Visit Strength.org.
About Weight Watchers International, Inc.
Weight Watchers International, Inc. is the world's leading provider of weight management services, operating globally through a network of Company-owned and franchise operations. Weight Watchers holds over 50,000 weekly meetings where members receive group support and education about healthy eating patterns, behavior modification and physical activity. WeightWatchers.com provides innovative, subscription weight management products over the Internet and is the leading Internet-based weight management provider in the world. In addition, Weight Watchers offers a wide range of products, publications and programs for those interested in weight loss and weight control.
SOURCE Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival
