The American Lamb Board and California Lamb Producers, in partnership with the Golden Gate Restaurant Association (GGRASF) and San Francisco magazine, brought together dozens of San Francisco's top restaurants, chefs and area wineries at Fort Mason pavilion on July 18.  Hosted by Executive Chef Matthew Accarrino of SPQR, Bay Area chefs celebrated American Lamb by creating succulent selections paired with local wines while lamb lovers sipped and savored, created swag bags and swung to the music of local jazz groups.  

"American Lamb has a rich history on the west coast and we were excited to see so many local culinary talents come together to celebrate the California lamb industry's 150th anniversary," said Megan Wortman, Executive Director of the American Lamb Board.  

Guests enjoyed luscious lamb tastes and voted for favorite dishes in a "People's Choice" competition while lambassador judges awarded "Best-in-Show" honors, including:  

• Best Leg and People's Choice: Chef David Lawrence of 1300 on Fillmore for Cabernet and Balsamic Braised Leg of Lamb served over Blue Cheese Grits
• Best Loin: Chef Kim Alter of Plate Shop for American Lamb Loin with Smoked Garlic Puree, Vegetables and Herbs
• Best Shank: Chef Ola Fendert of OOLA Restaurant for Rosemary and Red Wine Marinated Lamb Shank braised and served with Heirloom Tomato Panzanella
• Best Shoulder: Chef Lizzie Binder of Bar Bambino for Hand-Rolled Garganelli with Pecorino Braised Lamb Shoulder

For information about upcoming events, including the SF Chefs Food & Wine Fork It Over Extravaganza and Sonoma Country Wine Weekend's Taste of Sonoma, visit www.FansofLambSanFrancisco.com.  You can follow the American Lamb Board on Facebook or Twitter, @FANofLAMB.

About the American Lamb Board

The American Lamb Board is an industry-funded research and promotions commodity board that represents all sectors of the American Lamb industry including producers, feeders, seed stock producers and processors. The Board, appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture, is focused on increasing demand by promoting the freshness, flavor, nutritional benefits, and culinary versatility of American Lamb. The work of the American Lamb Board is overseen by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the board's programs are supported and implemented by the staff in Denver, Colorado.

SOURCE The American Lamb Board

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http://www.FansofLambSanFrancisco.com

Tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease in America(1), yet over eight in ten (84%) American parents don't realize this(2).  Smiles Across America® (SAA), an Oral Health America program led in conjunction with Trident® gum, is pleased to welcome Denver-based Kids in Need of Dentistry (KIND) into the SAA network.  This effort is part of an ongoing commitment by Oral Health America and Trident to help fight cavities among our nation's youth and together, will work to address the need for school-based and school-lined oral disease prevention services in the Denver area.

With the help of Trident's $1.5 million dollar, three-year commitment to the SAA program, the organization currently supports dental services to over 250,000 children annually in underserved communities nationwide.  Today, with the help of Trident's contribution, the program will expand its reach to Denver.  

With this support, KIND will increase the number of public schools it reaches in the Denver area by 39%.  Community leaders join Trident®, SAA, KIND, and Denver partners to bring attention to the importance of healthy mouths for children living in Denver and nationwide.  Trident's financial commitment is critical to Oral Health America's expansion of services to dental programs in need of SAA-funding such as KIND.  

"We are very pleased to welcome Kids in Need of Dentistry to our family of care providers," said Beth Truett, president and CEO of Oral Health America. "Through our combined efforts, we can raise public awareness about the importance of healthy mouths for healthy lives, and proactively provide education and services in schools to prevent tooth decay for uninsured and underserved children."

Tooth decay affects nearly 50 percent of second graders and almost 80 percent of 17-year-olds(3). While a new survey by Trident finds that U.S. parents don't necessarily consider tooth decay a chronic childhood disease, they do recognize that if left untreated, it can negatively impact a child's well-being (63%), self-esteem (62%) and even concentration level (30%)(4).  Each year, over 51 million school hours are lost as a result of problems related to tooth decay. Trident's contributions help SAA link local governments, businesses and supporters with care providers and schools to help fight untreated oral disease in children and prevent the loss of pivotal hours in the classroom.  

"We are so excited to help more than double the number of children who currently receive oral health services and education in schools through SAA's care provider network and announce that the network will now include Denver," said Becky McAninch, Senior Brand Manager, Trident Marketing.  "Providing oral health care solutions to our nation's youth has always been a primary goal of Trident and we are pleased to continue funding partnerships like the one with KIND to help shed a light on the importance of pediatric oral health care in underserviced communities."  

Consumers can purchase any pack of Trident gum from September 13, 2010 through September 19, 2010 and five cents per pack will be donated to Smiles Across America(5).

Thanks to contributions from supporters like Trident, SAA provides its network with the funding and technical assistance in the areas of communication and coalition building that enables them to reach more underserved and uninsured children and address barriers to care—lack of resources and transportation, low literacy and language diversity. To support the partnership, Walgreens and Plackers dental flossers have generously provided supplies for the Denver program, and Denver-area businesses DNTLworks Equipment Corporation, Crown Seating, LLC, and Confirm Monitoring Systems, Inc. will be supporting the expansion of KIND's programs through generous donations of dental equipment and laboratory services. To learn more about the Trident and Smiles Across America partnership, visit www.TridentCares4Kids.org.

About Trident® Sugar-Free Gum

Trident gum has long been a pioneer in providing oral health benefits to consumers.  Trident was the first gum brand of its kind to undergo extensive long-term clinical testing in 1967 with studies showing that people who chewed Trident experienced significantly fewer cavities.  Most recently, the brand introduced Trident Xtra Care™ with Recaldent®, a great tasting sugar-free gum that delivers superior strengthening power versus regular sugar-free chewing gum.  Today, Trident is the best selling chewing gum and sugar-free gum in the world(6) and a recent study shows that the brand continues to be recommended by four out of five dentists who would recommend sugar-free gum to their patients who chew gum(7).  

About Smiles Across America® (SAA)

SAA is a signature program created by Oral Health America, a national non-profit organization dedicated to changing lives by connecting communities with resources to increase access to care, education and advocacy.  SAA improves the health of elementary school students by supporting oral disease prevention services in school-based or school-linked settings, and demonstrating to communities that healthy mouths are integral to overall health.  For more information, visit http://www.oralhealthamerica.org.

About Kraft Foods

The combination of Kraft Foods and Cadbury creates a global powerhouse in snacks, confectionery and quick meals.  With annual revenues of approximately $50 billion, the combined company is the world's second largest food company, making delicious products for billions of consumers in more than 160 countries.  The combined company's portfolio includes 11 iconic brands with revenues exceeding $1 billion – Oreo, Nabisco and LU biscuits; Milka and Cadbury chocolates; Trident gum; Jacobs and Maxwell House coffees; Philadelphia cream cheeses; Kraft cheeses, dinners and dressings; and Oscar Mayer meats.  Another 70+ brands generate annual revenues of more than $100 million.  Kraft Foods (www.kraftfoodscompany.com; NYSE: KFT) is a member of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, Standard & Poor's 500, Dow Jones Sustainability Index and Ethibel Sustainability Index.

(1)  Oral Health in America: A Report of the Surgeon General, May 2000

(2)  Trident:  Oral Health perception survey, June 2010

(3)  National Center for Health Statistics, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III

(4)  Trident:  Oral Health perception survey, June 2010

(5)  Donation capped at $600,000.  Includes single packs, multipacks, bottles and club packs

(6)  2007 Euromonitor

(7)  Data on file

SOURCE Trident

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http://www.TridentCares4Kids.org
http://www.oralhealthamerica.org

ATD.A, ATD.B / TSX

LAVAL, QC, July 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. ("Couche-Tard") today responded to the announcement by Casey's General Stores, Inc. ("Casey's") (NASDAQ: CASY) that its Board of Directors has rejected Couche-Tard's increased tender offer of $36.75 per share in cash that was announced on July 22, 2010.

Alain Bouchard, President and Chief Executive Officer of Couche-Tard commented, "We are disappointed that the Casey's Board of Directors has rejected our increased $36.75 cash offer and has initiated a recapitalization for only 25% of the shares without even sitting down to talk to us. We will continue to evaluate our options."

As previously announced, on July 22, 2010, Couche-Tard increased the offer price in its pending tender offer, being made through an indirect wholly owned subsidiary, to acquire all of the outstanding shares of common stock of Casey's to $36.75 per share in cash. The increased offer price implies a total enterprise value of approximately $1.9 billion on a fully diluted basis, including net debt of Casey's of approximately $28 million.

Couche-Tard's increased all-cash offer represents a 26% premium over the one-year average closing share price of Casey's as of April 8, 2010 (the last trading day prior to the public disclosure of Couche-Tard's proposal), a 20% premium over the 90-calendar day average closing share price of Casey's as of April 8, 2010, and a 16% premium over the closing price of $31.59 per share of Casey's on April 8, 2010. Couche-Tard's increased offer also represents a 12% premium to the all-time and 52-week high trading price of common stock of Casey's trading prior to April 8, 2010. By contrast, Couche-Tard noted that the mean for all unsolicited cash offers over $1 billion since 1997 represents a 31% discount to the target companies' respective all-time highs and a 6% discount to their respective 52-week highs.

Couche-Tard's tender offer is scheduled to expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on Friday, August 6, 2010, unless further extended. Except for the price increase, all other terms and conditions of the tender offer remain unchanged.

The tender offer documents, including the Offer to Purchase and the Letter of Transmittal, and preliminary proxy materials have been filed with the SEC. The shareholders of Casey's may obtain copies of the tender offer documents at www.sec.gov. Free copies of such documents can also be obtained by calling Innisfree M&A Incorporated, toll-free at (877) 717-3930.

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC is acting as financial advisor to Couche-Tard and dealer manager for Couche-Tard's offer. Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP and Nyemaster, Goode, West, Hansell & O'Brien, P.C. are acting as legal counsel. Innisfree M&A Incorporated is acting as information agent for Couche-Tard's offer and proxy solicitor in connection with Couche-Tard's solicitation of proxies at the 2010 annual meeting of shareholders of Casey's.

About Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.

Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. is the leader in the Canadian convenience store industry. In North America, Couche-Tard is the largest independent convenience store operator (whether integrated with a petroleum company or not) in terms of number of company-operated stores. Couche-Tard operates a network of 5,878 convenience stores, 4,146 of which include motor fuel dispensing, located in 11 large geographic markets, including eight in the United States covering 43 states and the District of Columbia, and three in Canada covering all ten provinces. More than 53,000 people are employed throughout Couche-Tard's retail convenience network and service centers. For more information, please visit: http://www.couche-tard.com/corporate.

Forward-looking Statements

The statements set forth in this communication, which describes Couche-Tard's objectives, projections, estimates, expectations or forecasts, may constitute forward-looking statements. Positive or negative verbs such as "plan", "evaluate", "estimate", "believe" and other related expressions are used to identify such statements. Couche-Tard would like to point out that, by their very nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties such that its results, or the measures it adopts, could differ materially from those indicated or underlying these statements, or could have an impact on the degree of realization of a particular projection. Major factors that may lead to a material difference between Couche-Tard's actual results and the projections or expectations set forth in the forward-looking statements include the possibility that Couche-Tard will not be able to complete the tender offer as expected; Couche-Tard's ability to achieve the synergies and value creation contemplated by the proposed transaction; Couche-Tard's ability to promptly and effectively integrate the businesses of Casey's; expected trends and projections with respect to particular products, services, reportable segment and income and expense line items; the adequacy of Couche-Tard's liquidity and capital resources and expectations regarding Couche-Tard's financial condition and liquidity as well as future cash flows and earnings; anticipated capital expenditures; the successful execution of growth strategies and the anticipated growth and expansion of Couche-Tard's business; Couche-Tard's intent, beliefs or current expectations, primarily with respect to future operating performance; expectations regarding sales growth, gross margins, capital expenditures and effective tax rates; expectations regarding the outcome of various pending legal proceedings; seasonality and natural disasters; and such other risks as described in detail from time to time in the reports filed by Couche-Tard with securities authorities in Canada and the United States. Unless otherwise required by applicable securities laws, Couche-Tard disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The forward-looking information in this communication is based on information available as of the date of the communication.

Important Additional Information

This communication does not constitute an offer to buy or solicitation of an offer to sell any securities. The tender offer (the "Tender Offer") is being made pursuant to a tender offer statement on Schedule TO (including the Offer to Purchase, Letter of Transmittal and other related tender offer materials) filed by Couche-Tard and ACT Acquisition Sub, Inc. ("ACT Acquisition Sub") with the SEC on June 2, 2010. These materials, as they may be amended from time to time, contain important information, including the terms and conditions of the Tender Offer, that should be read carefully before any decision is made with respect to the Tender Offer. Investors and security holders of Casey's can obtain free copies of these documents and other documents filed with the SEC by Couche-Tard through the web site maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov or by directing a request to the Corporate Secretary of Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc., 4204 Industriel Blvd., Laval, Québec, Canada H7L 0E3. Free copies of any such documents can also be obtained by directing a request to Couche-Tard's information agent, Innisfree M&A Incorporated, at (877) 717-3930.

In connection with the proposed transaction, Couche-Tard and ACT Acquisition Sub intend to file a preliminary proxy statement with the SEC. Any definitive proxy statement will be mailed to the shareholders of Casey's. Investors and security holders of Casey's are urged to read these and other documents filed with the SEC carefully in their entirety when they become available because they will contain important information. Investors and security holders of Casey's will be able to obtain free copies of these documents (if and when available) and other documents filed with the SEC by Couche-Tard through the web site maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov or by directing a request to the Corporate Secretary of Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc., 4204 Industriel Blvd., Laval, Québec, Canada H7L 0E3. Free copies of any such documents (when available) can also be obtained by directing a request to Couche-Tard's information agent, Innisfree M&A Incorporated, at (877) 717-3930.

Certain Information Regarding Participants

Couche-Tard and ACT Acquisition Sub, its indirect wholly owned subsidiary, and certain of their respective directors and executive officers, and Couche-Tard's nominees for election to the board of directors of Casey's at the 2010 annual meeting of shareholders of Casey's, may be deemed to be participants in the proposed transaction under the rules of the SEC. As of the date of this press release, Couche-Tard is the beneficial owner of 362 shares of common stock of Casey's (which includes 100 shares of common stock of Casey's owned by ACT Acquisition Sub). Security holders may obtain information regarding the names, affiliations and interests of Couche-Tard's directors and executive officers in Couche-Tard's Annual Report on Form 40-F for the fiscal year ended April 25, 2010, which was filed with the SEC on July 19, 2010, and its proxy circular for the 2010 annual general meeting, which was furnished to the SEC on a Form 6-K on July 19, 2010. These documents can be obtained free of charge from the sources indicated above. Additional information regarding the interests of these participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will also be included in any proxy statement and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC if and when they become available.

SOURCE Alimentation Couche-Tard inc.

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The UK's most prestigious, independent wine and spirit competition, the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC), has awarded this year's Gin & Vodka Association Trophy to a new Aldi own label gin.

Oliver Cromwell 1599 Premium Gin, a new product made exclusively for Aldi, beat stiff competition from leading distillers to win the top accolade.

Currently scheduled for launch in September, Oliver Cromwell 1599 Premium Gin will be sold in a 50cl bottle in 450 Aldi stores nationwide and is expected to retail at under GBP10. Following its unprecedented IWSC win, the budget retailer expects the award-winning product to be a hit with Christmas shoppers looking for quality and value for money.

IWSC competition director Frances Horder said, "Aldi's success in the IWSC may come as a surprise to consumers but they have been steadily gaining credibility in the industry for their spirits category in recent years, winning the International Wine and Spirit Competition European Retail Spirits Buyer Trophy in 2009. We are delighted for the buying team and their suppliers for their deserved success and we hope this award will give consumers the reassurance and guidance they need to pick this product off the shelf."

The results of the spirits judging follow surprise wins in the IWSC northern hemisphere wine judging earlier this year, including a bronze medal for the first ever release from a new Welsh winery - Ancre Hill Estates in the Wye valley - and a silver (best in class) for the Eglantine Vineyard North Star from Nottinghamshire.

Oliver Cromwell 1599 Premium Gin is due to be unveiled as a trophy winner tonight [27th July 2010] alongside the other spirits trophies' winners at an exclusive industry tasting hosted by the IWSC and the Worshipful Company of Distillers at the Innholders' Inn.

The IWSC is judged by a panel selected from 300 fully qualified, experienced industry judges. Noted for its vigorous and unrivalled judging process, the IWSC is proud to be the only competition of its kind that conducts a full blind tasting with extensive chemical analysis.

For the full results of this year's IWSC spirits judging, please visit http://www.iwsc.net

Editors' notes:

The International Wine and Spirit Competition was founded in 1969 and is the premier competition of its kind in the world. Its aim is to promote the quality and excellence of the world's best wines, spirits and liqueurs. All entries of wines, spirits and liqueurs are blind tasted in groups divided by variety, region and vintage as necessary. Awards are made on a points system and sponsored trophies are presented in selected categories.

Technical analysis is carried out on Gold, Gold (Best in Class), Silver (Best in Class) award winning wines, spirits and liqueurs to ensure that all products are technically sound and will be of the same high quality when they reach the consumer as they were when the judging panels originally tasted them.

The IWSC is supported by a group of Vice Presidents made up of some of the most influential men and women in the trade, including Baroness Philippine de Rothschild, Miguel Torres, Marchese Piero Antinori, Robert Drouhin, Paul Symington, May de Lencquesaing, Gina Gallo, Rafael Guilisasti and this year's IWSC President, Prince Michael zu Salm-Salm, of the distinguished and most venerated Salm-Dalberg family.

    For further information or images, please contact:

    Lucy Richardson
    Phipps
    17 Exeter Street, London, WC2E 7DU
    Tel: +44(0)20-7759-7400
    e-mail: iwsc@phippspr.com

    Comments

    - For comment from the IWSC, please contact competition director Frances
      Horder on +44(0)1483-542-701

    - For comment from Aldi, please contact Helen Easson at Weber Shandwick
      on +44(0)161-238-9428, HEasson@webershandwick.com

SOURCE International Wine and Spirit Competition

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Phillips Distilling Company introduces a sweet addition to its wildly popular line of colorful flavored vodkas– UV Sweet Green Tea Vodka.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100727/CG41429)

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100727/CG41429)

UV Sweet Green Tea Vodka is the only sweet tea vodka blended with natural green teas. Steeped in the rich coast-to-coast tradition of sweet teas, UV Sweet Green Tea Vodka is the sophisticated sweet tea choice for cocktail enthusiasts.

Not your typical sunporch tea, UV Sweet Green Tea Vodka is infused with a distinctive green tea flavor. This sweet green tea flavored vodka blends the Zen-like qualities of green teas with a modern sweet tea twist.

"Other sweet tea vodkas available in the market use black tea leaves in their recipes, which is not how sweet teas were traditionally made," said Dean Phillips, president and CEO of Phillips Distilling Company. "This is not your grandmother's sweet tea. We saw an extraordinary opportunity to introduce the market to an original sweet green tea vodka. From chilaxing at the lawn party to cocktailing at the posh lounge, UV Sweet Green Tea Vodka is a hot new refresher."

Beautiful inside and out, UV Sweet Green Tea Vodka is infused with green tea leaves sourced from global locations. Capturing the taste, aroma, and colors of these natural ingredients, UV exudes a hint of citrus and tropical fruits. Such flavors yield a divine, honey-green vodka presented in UV Vodka's award-winning bottle design. Like all UV Vodkas, UV Sweet Green Tea Vodka is distilled four times and carbon filtered to assure purity and the perfect pH balance.

Newly introduced this summer, UV Sweet Green Tea Vodka is already gaining industry prestige. UV Sweet Green Tea Vodka was recently awarded the Distinguished Platinum Medal by the Spirits International Prestige Awards in San Diego.

"With the addition of UV Sweet Green Tea Vodka to our UV Vodka line, this timeless beverage will quickly become an essential item in everyone's well-stocked bar," said Phillips. "UV Sweet Green Tea Vodka has the ability to be mixed and served in both traditional and fresh ways, encouraging our customers to create their own perfect sweet green tea cocktail. UV Sweet Green Tea Vodka is part of the new repertoire in the art of mixology."

Light, crisp and naturally sweet, UV Sweet Green Tea Vodka revitalizes the way traditional sweet teas are served. The fresh brewed taste of green tea adds a refreshing take to this classic sweet tea flavor. Try recipes such as the 'UV High Tea,' mixed with one part UV Sweet Green Tea Vodka with two parts lemonade over ice, and the 'UV Green Water,' one part UV Sweet Green Tea Vodka with two parts water over ice. All recipes lend to a sweet and fragrant creation; the smooth taste of green tea lingers on every savvy palette.

UV Sweet Green Tea Vodka is the 12th variety of flavored vodka within the popular UV Vodka brand. Other flavors include coconut, cherry, blue raspberry, vanilla, grape, apple, citruv, orange and lemonade.

UV Sweet Green Tea Vodka is available in all bottle sizes, with a suggested retail price of $12.99 for a .750ml bottle The UV Vodka brand is on track to exceed sales of 1 million cases in 2010.

Visit www.uvvodka.com for additional information and recipe ideas.

About Phillips Distilling Company

From a small distributor of candy and newspapers to becoming one of the most innovative and enduring distilled spirit companies in the U.S., Phillips Distilling Company has been producing high-quality products using the finest ingredients from around the globe for five generations. From America's first schnapps in the 1930s, to flavored vodka in the 1950s, to flavored whiskey in the 2000s, Phillips has consistently been a pioneering company while operating as one of America's last family-owned spirits businesses. The Phillips portfolio includes the UV Vodka line of flavored vodkas, Prairie Organic Vodka, Trader Vic's Rums, Liqueurs and Cocktails, Feckin Irish Whiskey, Phillips Union Whiskey, SourPuss Liqueurs and Ice Hole Liqueurs. The company is based in Minneapolis.

On the web: www.phillipsdistilling.com

SOURCE Phillips Distilling Company

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