WESTPORT, Conn., Aug. 27, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today marks the 30th anniversary of the first shipment of Newman's Own salad dressing to a retail outlet, marking the beginning of the successful food company. Paul Newman, the late actor and philanthropist, bottled his homemade salad dressing with encouragement from friends and neighbors who raved about the recipe. On this day in 1982, 500 cases of Newman's Own salad dressing were shipped to Stew Leonard's in Norwalk, Connecticut, which was the first store to carry Newman's Own products.
In its first year of business, Newman's Own generated over $300,000 in profits. To fulfill his lifelong commitment to making the world a better place, Newman decided to donate 100% of the profits and royalties to charity, a mission that continues. To date, over $350 million have been given to charitable organizations, worldwide.
Soon after the launch of salad dressing, Newman's Own branched out to other all-natural products, such as pasta sauce, lemonade, salsa, popcorn, and most recently, frozen pizza and frozen skillet meals. Today there are more than 100 varieties of Newman's Own products available.
Newman's Own is celebrating its 30th anniversary through the end of 2012. Meanwhile, Newman's Own Foundation, the private, independent nonprofit founded by Paul Newman to continue his legacy, is recognizing "30 Years of Giving" with a commitment to donate $30 million to charity in 2012. This represents the largest amount the foundation has donated in single year.
At the outset of his business, Newman was asked how long an organization like his can last when it gives all the profits away to charity. Newman said, "I don't know. It's going to be an interesting experiment." Thirty years later, with more than $350 million to charity, no one can argue that it has been an interesting experiment and an incredible success.
Jan Schaefer
203-702-4768
jschaefer@newmansownfoundation.org
Maggie Carril
212-691-2800
carril@sunshinesachs.com
About Newman's Own Foundation
Paul Newman was committed to helping make the world a better place. To carry on his philanthropic legacy, Newman's Own Foundation turns all net profits and royalties from the sale of Newman's Own products into charitable donations. To date, Paul Newman and Newman's Own Foundation have given over $350 million to thousands of charities around the world. For more information, visit: www.newmansownfoundation.org.
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The following pictures are available for download:
| [Image] | Newman s Own Salad Dressing 1982 |