NEWS RELEASE - July 3,
2008
CEO of Country Pure Foods Elected Chairman of JPA
NEWS RELEASE - June 26,
2007
North Colonie Schools win by promoting alternatives to soft
drinks
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Contact:
Jerry Pignolet, Power Marketing/Public Relations, at
440-527-0446. jerry@powermarketingpr.com
or Megan Koncz, Country Pure Foods, at 330-706-3209.
megank@juice4u.com
CEO of Country Pure Foods Elected Chairman of JPA
Akron, Ohio -- July 3, 2008 -- Raymond K. Lee, CEO of Country Pure Foods, has been elected as the Chairman of the Juice Products Association (JPA). Lee was elected at the latest meeting of the JPA and will begin as Chairman after the November 2008 meeting.
The JPA is the trade association representing the fruit and juice products industry. The association encompasses over 130 regular and associate member organizations, representing juice and fruit processing companies and support industries throughout the United States and over seas. Among many other services, JPA serves its members by promoting high standards of product safety and quality, and good manufacturing and inspection practices in the production and distribution of juice products.
Raymond Lee is an Akron native and a graduate of the University of Akron and is a Certified Public Accountant. Lee previously served the JPA as Vice Chairman and Secretary, and has been on the Board of Directors for the last three years. Lee is a Trustee of the Hudson Economic Development Corporation; Board Member of University Hospitals Case Medical Center.
Raymond Lee has also served as National Fundraising Chairman, University of Akron College of Business; Treasurer, Hudson Chamber of Commerce; Trustee, Northeast Summit Family services; Leadership Akron; The Akron Area Mergers & Acquisitions and Joint Venture Clearinghouse; the Akron Regional Development Board’s Small Business Council; Advancement Council of the University of Akron’s College of Business; Board Member, Processed Apple Institute; Board Member, Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE); and Board Member, Cleveland Independents.
Lee rejoined Country Pure Foods in 2003 as the President and CEO. He previously held this position from 1996 to 2001 and was Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President of Operations for Country Pure Foods from 1992 to 1996.
Country Pure Foods makes individually packaged fresh fruit drinks, juices, and nectars. Today, it is one of the nation’s largest independent processors of juice products for grocery and convenient stores, foodservice and contract manufacturing industries. Multiple plant locations allow Country Pure Foods to efficiently service its nationwide customer base with a broad line of product packaging alternatives. Private labeling and contract packaging are also available. Country Pure Foods has more than 150 years experience in processing and marketing juice.
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CEO named as hospital director
Akron, Ohio -- July 5, 2007 -- Country Pure Foods C.E.O., Raymond K. Lee, was recently named to the Board of Directors at University Hospital Medical Center, Cleveland, OH. For more details, please see accompanying article:
http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20070705/FREE/70705004/1007/newsletter01
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North Colonie Schools win by promoting alternatives to soft drinks
Akron, Ohio -- June 26, 2007 -- Add per-student juice consumption to the list of top honors for the North Colonie Central School District. The district will receive a new SMART Board teaching system worth $2,500 through the Choose the Juice contest sponsored by the Ardmore Farms division of Country Pure Foods, one of the largest independent juice processors in the United States
North Colonie came out ahead of 20 other area districts in increase in per-student juice consumption during the second half of the just-ended school year. Country Pure Foods, working with regional foodservice supplier Quandts Foodservice Distributors, Inc of Amsterdam, NY sponsored the contest to promote unsweetened 100-percent juices as nutritionally-sound alternatives to soft drinks.
“Unsweetened 100-percent juice is recognized by leading dietary organizations and the federal government as a healthy beverage for children,” said Raymond K. Lee, president and CEO of Country Pure Foods. “We commend the staff at North Colonie for encouraging healthier choices as a regular part of their lunch program.”
SMART Boards are interactive white board systems from SMART Technologies. Lee describes them as a super-charged blend of computer presentation and whiteboard technologies that make instruction more efficient for teachers and more interactive, fun and memorable for students. Ardmore Farms is awarding North Colonie a SMART Board and a projector.
Unsweetened juice is one of the beverages recommended for school children by The Alliance for a Healthier Generation, a joint initiative of the William J. Clinton Foundation and the American Heart Association through an agreement with the American Beverage Association (ABA) and the nation’s largest beverage companies to limit portion sizes and reduce the number of calories available to children during the school day. More information on juice and wellness can be found at the contest website at choosethejuice.net.
About Country Pure Foods.
Country Pure Foods makes individually packaged fresh fruit drinks, juices, and nectars. Today, it is one of the nation’s largest independent processors of juice products for grocery and convenient stores, foodservice and contract manufacturing industries. Multiple plant locations allow Country Pure Foods to efficiently service its nationwide customer base with a broad line of product packaging alternatives. Private labeling and contract packaging are also available. Country Pure Foods has more than 150 years experience processing and marketing juice.
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Akron, Ohio --November 21, 2006 – Country Pure Foods, one of the nation’s largest independent juice companies, today announced the purchase of competitor Vitality Foodservice’s packaged products division. The acquisition provides customers a single source for portioned juice products and a larger distribution system.
“The acquisition of Vitality’s portioned juice cup business gives us the opportunity to offer customers a wider variety of products, improved distribution and more responsive customer service,” said Raymond K. Lee, president and CEO, Country Pure Foods.
Country Pure Foods will consolidate Vitality’s products under the Ardmore Farms brand and add its full line of products to its current SKUs, including its aseptic juice box line. Production will be moved to Country Pure Food’s Akron, Ohio, Ellington, Conn. and Deland, Fla. facilities and will result in an undetermined number of new jobs in all locations.
The acquisition represents Country Pure Foods fifth deal in 10 years and includes the merger of Ohio Pure Foods and Natural Country Farms, the acquisition of Quaker's Ardmore Farms juice and juice drinks, acquisition of Packer's West and Packers Central operations and the acquisition of Vitality Foodservice’s portioned juice division. “As the need for healthy beverages for children and adults grow, we are prepared to provide food service and retail customers the best possible choices,” said Lee.
About Country Pure Foods.
Country Pure Foods makes individually packaged fresh fruit drinks, juices, and nectars. Today, it is one of the nation’s largest independent processors of juice products for grocery and convenient stores, foodservice and contract manufacturing industries. Multiple plant locations allow Country Pure Foods to efficiently service its nationwide customer base with a broad line of product packaging alternatives. Private labeling and contract packaging are also available. Country Pure Foods has more than 150 years experience processing and marketing juice.