Bottled water DEVOTING 100 PERCENT OF PROFITS TO WOMEN’S cancer research signs national distribution agreement
SYSCO Corporation extends Athena Partners’ mission to fund
women’s cancer research across the United States.
SEATTLE – Athena Partners®, the Seattle-based not-for-profit organization that devotes 100 percent of the profits from Athena® bottled water to women’s cancer research, announces a national distribution agreement with SYSCO Corporation, North America's leading foodservice marketer and distributor. This contract marks the first time Athena will be available outside Western Washington.
“We are pleased to make Athena water available nationally through SYSCO, a company dedicated to quality and service with the largest food service and sales distribution network nationwide,” said Trish May, founder and CEO of Athena Partners. “Athena has gained a significant and devoted
following in the Seattle area. Through this partnership with SYSCO, Athena will be available throughout the United States, enabling a greater contribution toward finding a cure for women’s cancers.”
“We are proud to support a socially responsible business such as Athena Partners, an innovative company with a compelling product that makes a difference every day,” said Jonathan
Gottfried, Asst. Vice President, Merchandising of SYSCO Corporation. “Athena brings important added value and differentiation to our bottled water category and we are pleased to be a part of its efforts.”
Roll-out has begun on the West Coast and will gradually expand across the country throughout 2006.
The SYSCO distribution agreement comes on the heels of Athena’s recent long-term contract with Alaska Airlines to serve Athena bottled water onboard its flights throughout the United States. As Athena expands across the country, so too will their funding of leading regional cancer research centers.
Athena Partners celebrated its two year anniversary in August 2005. The venture philanthropy was founded by May, a former Microsoft marketing executive and breast cancer survivor who dedicated her business expertise and passion to empowering consumers to make a difference through their purchasing power. In its two years, Athena has sold six million bottles and donated $110,000 to institutions world-renowned for cancer research. Currently, Athena water is available in more than 900
locations, including more than 50 medical centers and 20 schools. To find out where Athena is available, please visit www.athenapartners.org.
Athena Partners®, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, is dedicated to advancing research and education to eliminate breast and gynecological cancers. A full 100 percent of the net profits from sales of Athena® bottled water and related products are devoted to innovative research to find a cure.
Athena bottled water is available through grocery stores, coffee shops, cafés and other locations.
Athena Partners’ Web site, www.athenapartners.org, provides a comprehensive directory to leading cancer information and resources about women’s cancers. SYSCO is the largest foodservice marketing and distribution organization in North America, providing food and related products and services to approximately 390,000 restaurants, healthcare and educational facilities, lodging establishments and other foodservice customers. The company generated sales of $30.3 billion for the fiscal year 2005 that ended July 2, 2005. SYSCO's operations are located throughout the United States and Canada and include broadline companies, specialty produce and custom-cut meat operations, Asian foodservice, hotel supply operations and chain restaurant distribution subsidiaries. For more information about SYSCO visit the company's Internet home page at www.sysco.com.
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