Vacaville Company Thinks Pink In Support

Vacaville Company Thinks Pink In Support -- Mariani Packing To Make Donation For Breast Cancer Research
By Ines Bebea

VACAVILLE - Mariani Packing Co., which makes dried fruit products, has entered into a corporate sponsorship agreement with Susan G. Komen for the Cure and guaranteed a $414,000 donation to the breast cancer organization.

Mariani will donate a portion of its sales in its Snack Pink! campaign from October, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, to May to the Komen organization. The Vacaville-based company's campaign will involve four products: cherries (6 ounces), prunes (60 ounces), mixed fruit (36 ounces) and apricots (48 ounces).

Some of the products are exclusive to Costco and Sam's Clubs, but during the next few days they will be available wherever Mariani products are sold and at Mariani retail store in Nut Tree Village.

"The facts about breast cancer really speak for themselves," said Patti Sousa, director of business development for Mariani Packing. "A woman is diagnosed every three minutes and a woman dies from the disease every 13 minutes. We've had a number of employees and executives whose lives have been affected by a a loved one suffering from the disease. When you take into account all the health benefits of eating healthy, we decided to do the right thing."

Mariani's campaign will continue through May to coincide with Komen Race for the Cure events in Sacramento.

"We hope that our participation increases awareness and resources to breast cancer detection and research," Sousa said.

Since its inception in 1982, Susan G. Komen for the Cure has donated $1 billion to breast cancer research, said Karen White, the organization's cross marketing manager, and the survival rate and early detection through mammograms have seen a significant increase.

"Partnerships like the one with Mariani allow us to reach the consumers where they eat, live and play," White said. "It is a win-win situation. Through this kind of corporate sponsorships, we've raised $56 million per year and used that money for community outreach programs.

"While there is still much work to be done in regards to research and finding a cure, this kind of financial support furthers our mission to advance the work."

Reach Ines Bebea at 427-6934 or ibebea@dailyrepublic.net.