PHOENIX, Sept. 25, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (Nasdaq:SFM) today announced that it has teamed up with Sony Pictures Animation and Feeding America, the nation's leading hunger relief organization, for a groundbreaking campaign in conjunction with the highly anticipated release of the animated comedy "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2," in theaters September 27. As one of the most notable cause marketing campaigns tied to a major film release, this collaboration will benefit children and families facing hunger.
As part of the collaboration, Sony Pictures Animation will lead the way with a cash donation to Feeding America. Sprouts is giving shoppers the option to donate $1, $5 or $10(1) at checkout, or round their purchase up to the nearest dollar, to directly benefit Feeding America. With the help of its customers, Sprouts has already raised more than $580,000. In addition, Sprouts donates more than 1 million pounds of food and fresh produce annually to local food banks, food pantries and soup kitchens through its new Food Rescue Program.
The campaign comes in time for Hunger Action Month, a month dedicated to raising public awareness of the more than 49 million people who struggle with hunger in the United States. Hunger Action Month, which takes place each September, brings together the Feeding America nationwide network of food banks and distribution agencies to urge individuals to take action in their communities and help fight hunger. Fans will find useful information at www.sprouts.com/feedingamerica – including recipes, children's activities, and how they can help by making a donation to Feeding America.
"Giving back to the communities we serve has always been a cornerstone of our company," said Maggie Fearnow, director of marketing for Sprouts Farmers Market. "When we heard about this incredible opportunity to partner with Sony to raise funds for Feeding America, as well as raise awareness of healthy eating through fresh fruits and vegetables, there was no doubt that we wanted to be involved."
A limited supply of "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2" plush toy "foodimals" are now available for purchase at Sprouts stores, with 25 percent of the retail price(2) being donated to Feeding America. The campaign culminates with the film's release in theaters nationwide on Friday.
"Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2" picks up where Sony Pictures Animation's mouth-watering comedy left off. Inventor Flint Lockwood thought he saved the world when he destroyed his most infamous invention—a machine that turned water into food, causing cheeseburger rain and spaghetti tornadoes. But Flint soon learns that his invention survived and is now creating food-animal—"foodimals!" Flint and his friends embark on a dangerously delicious mission to battle hungry tacodiles, shrimpanzees, hippotatomuses, cheespiders and other foodimals to save the world—again! Directed by Cody Cameron and Kris Pearn. Screenplay by Erica Rivinoja and John Francis Daley & Jonathan Goldstein. Story by Phil Lord & Christopher Miller and Erica Rivinoja. Inspired by the book Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs written by Judi Barrett and illustrated by Ron Barrett. Produced by Pam Marsden and Kirk Bodyfelt.
(1) $1 helps provide the monetary equivalent of 9 meals secured by Feeding America on behalf of local food banks.
(2) 25% of the original retail price, excluding tax, will be donated.
About Sprouts Farmers Market
Sprouts Farmers Market is a specialty retailer of fresh, natural and organic foods at great prices. We offer a complete shopping experience that includes fresh produce, bulk foods, vitamins and supplements, packaged groceries, meat and seafood, baked goods, dairy products, frozen foods, natural body care and household items catering to consumers' growing interest in health and wellness. Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, Sprouts Farmers Market employs more than 14,000 team members and operates more than 160 stores in eight states. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SproutsFarmersMarket.
About Sony Pictures Animation
Sony Pictures Animation produces a variety of animated and family entertainment for audiences around the world. The studio is following its worldwide comedy hits—the 2012 monster hit comedy Hotel Transylvania, the hybrid live action/animated blockbusters The Smurfs and The Smurfs 2, and the 2009 mouth-watering Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs—with the family comedy Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs 2 in theaters September 2013. Sony Pictures Animation will also release a brand new mini-movie on DVD and television this Fall, The Smurfs: The Legend of Smurfy Hollow. The studio, in conjunction with Aardman Animations, has produced two critically acclaimed feature films: the CG-animated family comedy Arthur Christmas; and the Academy Award® nominated stop-frame animated high-seas adventure, The Pirates! Band of Misfits. In 2007, Surf's Up also received an Academy Award® nomination for Best Animated Feature Film. The division, whose first feature film Open Season led to a very successful movie franchise, turned 10 in 2012. Sony Pictures Animation is an operating unit of Sony Pictures Digital Productions.