commercial
crop of walnuts, accounting for the majority of the world's trade in walnuts.
The Earth Dinner gets family and friends together over flavorful, fresh
dishes made with locally produced ingredients. A deck of 50 Earth Dinner
Creativity Cards written by award-winning author Douglas Love is used to
stimulate dinner table conversation ." A self-described
"foodie" and environmental activist, Marquez has
dedicated her life to pioneering organic agriculture, a
practice she learned from her mother, a gifted gardener. Stewards of the earth who use
nature as their teacher, Organic Valley farmers produce
organic milk, soy , cheese, butter, spreads, creams, eggs,
produce, juice and meat sold in food cooperatives,
natural foods stores and supermarkets throughout the
country.

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McDonald's Fruit + Walnut Salad was introduced in the U. Balint, CEO , California Walnut Commission and
Executive Director, Walnut Marketing Board.

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McDonald's USA Recognized for 2005 Launch of the Fruit + Walnut Salad

CARMEL, Calif.

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More than 80 percent of McDonald 's 13,700
U. He is the creator and
executive producer of the Emmy Award nominated and
Parents' Choice Award winning television series, OUT OF
THE BOX for Disney Channel and JAMMIN' ANIMALS for HBO
Family.organicvalley . Organic Valley represents 689 organic family
farmers in 20 states.

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McDonald 's(R) USA Receives Distinguished Service Award From the California Walnut Commission and Walnut Marketing Board

The Fruit + Walnut Salad contains a selection of fresh, succulent red and
green apples and grapes and is served with a side of low-fat yogurt and
candied walnuts. and
internationally .

sq packers

com.com for
further information.

About Organic Valley Family of Farms
The Earth Dinner is presented by Organic Valley Family of Farms, an
organic farmer-owned cooperative committed to re-awakening the connection
between farmers, the people who produce food with care, and their urban
neighbors, the people who depend on quality food for their well being.

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For more information on McDonald's visit http://www.

farmer foodservice

We continually
strive to meet our customers' changing needs and the Fruit + Walnut Salad is a
great example of a quick, convenient, on-the-go way to consume apples and
other fresh fruit.html
for a list of Chefs Collaborative restaurants hosting Earth Dinner events. Love has been producing live professional
theatre for the past 23 years introducing children to the
art form.organicvalley.

growers cooperative

S. in May 2005 as
part of the company's ongoing commitment to provide customers with a variety
of menu choices to encourage customers to lead balanced, active lifestyles
through promoting food choice, physical activity and nutrition literacy.coop . It is a time to celebrate
our planet, and all the life giving natural resources and
beauty that the Earth provides.douglaslove .org ), Board Member , Organic
Trade Association ( http://www.

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, The California Walnut Commission
and Walnut Marketing Board have announced McDonald's USA as the recipient of
the 2006 Distinguished Service Award, the California walnut industry's highest
award.S.walnuts. Call (609) 252-9680 or visit http://www. "The Earth Dinner tradition will
help us be more in touch with where our food comes from.

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restaurants are independently owned and operated by local franchisees. PRINCETON, N.
"Earth Dinner is an exciting new tradition that will help Americans
connect with our food, our environment and one another," said Chef Robinson, a
member of Chefs Collaborative , a national network of more than 1,000 members
of the food community who promote sustainable cuisine . The cards will
inspire Earth Dinner participants to make connections they might not otherwise
have made.S.

Organic Valley Presenter of the Earth Dinner, Organic Valley is one of
Family of Farms America's leading national organic brands and is the
largest independent and farmer-owned organic dairy
cooperative.

farmer soybeans

,
Princeton.
Organic Valley is one of America's leading national organic brands and is
the largest independent and farmer-owned organic dairy cooperative in the
nation. The cooperative represents 689 organic family farmers in 20 states.

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Visit http://www. The cards ask questions ranging from who
invented the fork (the French ) and the number of hours it takes for a hen to
lay an egg (24) to your earliest food memory and the names of any of the
farmers who grew the food on your plate. Mr.

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"McDonald's is committed to
providing our valued customers with menu choice and variety.coop ).

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"The California walnut industry applauds McDonald's efforts in continuing
its commitment to providing consumers easy and accessible ways to consume
healthful foods and for exemplifying that consumers will, in fact, select
healthful foods like fruit, yogurt and walnuts if such options are made
available," said Dennis A.mcdonalds.terramomo . The site also offers menu and recipe ideas,
suggestions for setting the table and decorations, and a list of organizations
supporting Earth Dinner with Chefs Collaborative and Organic Valley (Beyond
Pesticides, Bioneers, Children's Health Environmental Coalition, Earth Day
Network, Earth Pledge , Environmental Working Group, Music Matters, Slow Food,
Organic Consumers Association, Om Organics , Social Venture Network, The Center
for Organic Education and Promotion, and Waterkeeper Alliance , among others.)
"The Earth Dinner is a way for family and friends to come together to
appreciate the remarkable role food plays in our lives, in our family's
histories, and on our planet," says Theresa Marquez, Earth Dinner Founder and
Organic Valley Consumer Affairs Director. Check
out the Earth Dinner website at http://www.

EARTH DINNER BACKGROUND

Earth Day Earth Day, traditionally celebrated by the United Nations
on the vernal equinox (on or about March 20th), became a
U.com ), and Consumer
Affairs Director, Organic Valley Family of Farms
( http://www.

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Douglas Love Douglas Love is the author of more than twenty creativity
books and plays for children.

Theresa Marquez The catalyst behind The Earth Dinner, Marquez is one of
the original "mothers of organic.coop .

midwestern bakers

Mark Lepine, director of menu development, McDonald's USA, was
presented with the award at last night's walnut industry meeting in Carmel in
recognition of the company's introduction of the Fruit + Walnut Salad which
includes a packet of candied walnuts to sprinkle on top.org .
Marquez currently serves as President, The Organic Center
for Education and Promotion
( http://www.organic-center.

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"Our customers are loving the Fruit + Walnut Salad," said Wade Thoma, vice
president of menu management, McDonald's USA.organicvalley . national holiday proclaimed by Gaylord Nelson and
John McConnell April 22, 1970. Douglas Love is a
member of the Writer's Guild of America, The Dramatists
Guild, The Authors League and the Academy of Television
Arts and Sciences. http://www. For further information, contact Organic Valley
at 1-888-444-MILK or visit
http://www.

midwestern packers

California provides 99 percent of the total U.earthdinner.

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Mediterra Restaurant + Bar Celebrates Earth Day with the 'Earth Dinner(TM )'

ota.

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About the Walnut Marketing Board and California Walnut Commission
The Distinguished Service Award was established in 1989 to honor
significant contributions to the California walnut industry.S.
Stewards of the earth who use nature as their teacher, Organic Valley farmers
produce organic milk, soy, cheese, butter, spreads, creams, eggs, produce,
juice and meat sold in food cooperatives, natural foods stores and
supermarkets throughout the country .

vaillant wholefoods

About McDonald's USA
McDonald's USA, LLC, is the leading foodservice provider in the United
States serving a variety of wholesome foods made from quality ingredients to
millions of customers every day. Chefs Collaborative is
partnering with Organic Valley Family of Farms, the nation's leading
cooperative of organic farmers, to launch the Earth Dinner in New Jersey and
nationwide .org/restaurants. For further information, contact Organic
Valley at 1-888-444-MILK or visit http: //www.

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, In honor of the 35th anniversary
of Earth Day this month, Chef Lawrence Robinson is hosting a special Earth
Dinner chef's tasting menu at the Mediterra Restaurant + Bar, 29 Hulfish St. Open to the public, the special menu will be offered the week of
April 18-22 for both lunch and dinner , as well as special menu additions on
April 23 and 24.
Said Love, who created and produced Disney Channel's hit live action
creativity series, "Out of the Box," "I've designed the Earth Dinner
Creativity Cards to spark imagination, memories and laughter. He is currently producing large-scale theatre
for families with Walden Media and the Shorenstein Hays
Nederlander theatres as the Producing Artistic Director
of FAMILY STAGE - San Francisco.

farmer cooperative

Additionally, it tastes great, meets a variety of
nutritional needs and can be part of a Balanced Active Lifestyle," added
Thoma. Located in
Sacramento, California, the Walnut Marketing Board and California Walnut
Commission represent the approximately 5,300 walnut growers and 55 walnut
handlers of California by promoting consumption of walnuts through publicity ,
product promotions, research and education programs in the U.com .

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org.S."
Earth Dinner cards are available free to download at
http://www."

Chefs Collaborative Holds Earth Dinners Nationwide
Around the country, Chefs Collaborative member restaurants have created
special Earth Dinner menus to run for one night or a series of nights.earthdinner.