The J.M. Smucker Company Travels the U.S. to Launch the Simple Steps To A Better You Campaign

ORRVILLE, Ohio, April 24 /PRNewswire/ -- On April 16th, The J.M. Smucker Company, makers of Smucker's(R) fruit spreads and Smucker's(R) Natural Peanut Butter, kicked off the Simple Steps To A Better You Tour, which emphasizes the importance of a balanced diet and exercise routine, and how the simplest of changes in both areas can make a big difference throughout each day. Bringing her one-of-a-kind energy and inspiration to the program is health and fitness expert Denise Austin, host of the longest running fitness show on television, Denise Austin's Daily Workout, which airs on Lifetime TV. The J.M. Smucker Company and Denise will travel to fitness expos, races and festivals in select cities throughout the U.S. to offer fitness and nutrition tips incorporating Smucker's line of Low Sugar(TM) and sugar free fruit spreads and natural peanut butter.

From April through the end of August, the Simple Steps To A Better You Tour is traveling to 28 cities throughout the country to provide consumers with simple tips for improving their daily fitness and nutritional routines by using samples of Smucker's sugar free, Low Sugar(TM) fruit spreads and natural peanut butter varieties, as well as offer live demonstrations of snacking recipes and usage ideas. Consumers will be able to collect goodie bags with brochures and quick fitness and nutrition tips from Denise Austin. The Simple Steps To A Better You Tour is traveling to the following cities:

Atlanta, GA Boston, MA Chicago, IL Charlotte, NC Cincinnati, OH Cleveland, OH Columbus, OH Dayton, OH Detroit, MI Grand Rapids, MI Indianapolis, IN Los Angeles, CA Louisville, KY Milwaukee, WI Minneapolis, MN Nashville, TN Norfolk, VA Orrville, OH Peoria, IL Philadelphia, PA Pittsburgh, PA Roanoke, VA Raleigh, NC Rochester, NY San Francisco, CA San Diego, CA Sacramento, CA St. Louis, MO

"As a busy wife, mother and entrepreneur, I make it a point each day to eat healthy snacks and fit in simple exercises everywhere from grocery store to the car," said Denise Austin. "We want to teach consumers that, by adding just a few simple steps each day, it is easy to achieve well-balanced fitness and nutritional plans that can fit into even the busiest of schedules."

With Denise's health and fitness expertise in creating unique, inspirational ways to engage in a healthy lifestyle accompanied by the company's line of great tasting and good for you products, consumers will be provided with all the necessary tools to develop daily healthy habits. Denise's unique recipe ideas and fitness tips will be showcased throughout the tour as well as online at http://www.smuckers.com/simplesteps. Some of helpful tips include:

Simple Steps to a Better You: -- Create delicious, filling and low calorie mid-morning snacks by placing 1 teaspoon of Smucker's(R) sugar-free Red Raspberry Preserves into a serving of fat-free cottage cheese or plain non-fat yogurt. -- Squeeze in your tummy while you're shopping at the grocery store. Just five seconds of squeezing your abs equals one sit-up! -- Stay motivated by scheduling regular workouts such as walks with family and friends. Once your 'fitness date' is recorded in your daily planner you are committed and are more likely to follow through.

"We are thrilled to be taking our program on the road, and to be partnering with Denise Austin to provide consumers with simple health and fitness tips to enhance their daily lives," said Maribeth Badertscher, Director, Corporate Communications, The J.M. Smucker Company. "Smucker's provides consumers with a variety of options to help make smarter food choices that are also quick and convenient for a variety of lifestyles."

Smucker's Fruit Spreads

During the tour, Smucker's will offer samples and recipe tips for their sugar free, low sugar and natural peanut butter varieties. Smucker's sugar-free fruit spreads allow consumers to enjoy the fresh fruit taste of Smucker's in a product that contains 80 percent fewer calories than regular fruit spreads and zero grams of sugar per serving. Smucker's Low Sugar contains no artificial sweeteners and 50 percent less sugar, calories and carbohydrates than regular fruit spreads. Smucker's offers a wide array of sugar free and Low Sugar flavors and both varieties are fat free.

Smucker's Natural Peanut Butter

Smucker's(R) Natural Peanut Butter is 100 percent natural, made with 99 percent peanuts and just a dash of salt. Just one serving of peanut butter -- two tablespoons -- provides eight grams of protein, two grams of fiber, 10 percent of the USDA Reference Daily Intake (RDI) of vitamin E and 12 percent of the RDI of magnesium. Smucker's Natural Peanut Butter is a cholesterol free food and contains zero grams of trans-fats per serving. Available in five different varieties -- Creamy, Chunky, With Honey, No Salt Added and Reduced Fat -- Smucker's Natural Peanut Butter offers consumers an assortment of choices.

Consumers are encouraged to visit http://www.smuckers.com/simplesteps to learn more about the Simple Steps To A Better You Tour and to see the tour schedule. On the site, consumers can also find out how to receive a Smucker's stability workout ball (while supplies last), free work-out music downloads, a workout log, Denise's fitness tips, new recipes and more information about Smucker's Natural Peanut Butter and Smucker's varieties of fruit spreads.

About The J.M. Smucker Company

The J.M. Smucker Company is the leading marketer and manufacturer of fruit spreads, peanut butter, shortening and oils, ice cream toppings, sweetened condensed milk, and health and natural foods beverages in North America. Its family of brands includes Smucker's(R), Jif(R), Crisco(R), Pillsbury(R), Eagle Brand(R), R.W. Knudsen Family(R), Hungry Jack(R), White Lily(R) and Martha White(R) in the United States, along with Robin Hood(R), Five Roses(R), Carnation(R), Europe's Best(R) and Bick's(R) in Canada. The Company remains rooted in the Basic Beliefs of Quality, People, Ethics, Growth and Independence established by its founder and namesake more than a century ago. Since 1998, the Company has appeared on FORTUNE Magazine's annual listing of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in the United States, ranking number one in 2004. For more information about the Company, visit http://www.smuckers.com.

The J.M. Smucker Company is the owner of all trademarks, except Pillsbury is a trademark of The Pillsbury Company, used under license and Carnation is a trademark of Societe des Produits Nestle S.A., used under license.

The J.M. Smucker Company

CONTACT: Melinda Long of Cohn & Wolfe, +1-212-798-9793, for The J.M.
Smucker Company

Web site: http://www.smuckers.com/
http://www.smuckers.com/simplesteps/