Whole Foods Market(TM) Goes Platinum - For the 2009 Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival Presented by Food & Wine

MIAMI, July 23 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2009 Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by Food & Wine kicks off its eighth year with exciting new announcements from two top sponsors. Whole Foods Market has signed on as a new platinum sponsor and the new title sponsor of the Grand Tasting Village, and Kellogg's Kidz Kitchen will move into Fun and Fit as a Family -- the Festival's childhood obesity initiative at Jungle Island.

"I'm certain the addition of Whole Foods Market will be a big part of how continue to 'wow' our guests in many new and exciting ways in our eighth year," said Lee Brian Schrager, Festival founder and director. "Combining our much-loved Kidz Kitchen with our Fun and Fit as a Family event will also highlight all of the innovative family programming the Festival is continuing to develop."

As the premier destination for Chefs and Foodies alike, Whole Foods Market will bring its unique style to the sunny shores of South Beach for America's favorite culinary extravaganza. Already an integral part of Florida's culinary scene, Whole Foods Market is making its mark by partnering with Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival. This commitment is a prime example of Whole Foods Market's leading role in the ever changing and always innovative world of great food.

A central component to the 2009 festival will be the Whole Foods Market Grand Tasting Village - bringing the same "playground-for-foodies" experience from stores across the country straight to the sands of South Beach. In this venue, Whole Foods Market will showcase some of the highest quality culinary creations available in their stores, in a unique setting within the Grand Tasting Village.

"We're thrilled to be able to bring Whole Foods Market's distinctive perspective to what is unquestionably America's premiere culinary event," says Russ Benblatt, Regional Marketing Director for Whole Foods Market. "Our stores are all about the celebration of great food, and we can't think of a better place to share that passion than with the thousands of people looking to experience the leading edge of the culinary world, up-close and personal in the Grand Tasting Village."

Keeping in tandem with their healthy lifestyle philosophy, Whole Foods Market has also signed on as a supporting sponsor of Fun and Fit as a Family, the wildly successful "mini-festival" within the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival that was launched last year and designed to help inform parents and children on how to adopt healthy eating habits and combat childhood obesity.

The unparalleled highlight of Fun and Fit as a Family in 2009 is the addition of Kellogg's Kidz Kitchen. In a move designed to keep all of the festival's family programming in one location, Kellogg's Kidz Kitchen will trade the sand for the jungle. Bringing with them three-years of festival experience, Kellogg's will join Fun and Fit as a Family as host of Kidz Kitchen featuring star-studded culinary demonstrations with a healthy focus that are created exclusively for children and their parents. "Kellogg's Kidz Kitchen provides an opportunity for children to interact with Kellogg brands and meet their favorite chefs," notes Kellogg's Teresa Hernandez, National Account Executive. Past star chef participants have included Rachael Ray, Giada DeLaurentiis, Emeril Lagasse and Jamie Oliver; and the roster for 2009 promises to be equally impressive.

Taking place for a second year at Jungle Island, one of Miami's premiere theme parks, Fun and Fit as a Family brings together the best culinary, fitness, food, and health personalities and professionals straight into the backyard of the community. Obstacle courses, relay races, garden exploration, discovery centers, and featured culinary demonstrations in Kellogg's Kidz Kitchen make this interactive learning experience a must for the whole family.

With Whole Foods Market as the Platinum Sponsor and Kellogg's Kidz Kitchen on board at Fun and Fit as a Family, the eighth annual Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by Food & Wine is sure to satisfy your every craving. Come see what's new February 19th to the 22nd, 2009 -- and bring your appetite!

About the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival

The Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by Food & Wine is produced by Florida International University and Southern Wine & Spirits of Florida with the support of the Miami Beach Visitors & Convention Authority and the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs. For more information about Florida International University visit www.fiu.edu, for the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management visit www.hospitality.fiu.edu and for more information about Southern Wine & Spirits visit www.southernwine.com.

About Whole Foods Market(R)

Founded in 1980 in Austin, Texas, Whole Foods Market (www.wholefoodsmarket.com) is the world's leading natural and organic foods supermarket and America's first national certified organic grocer. In fiscal year 2007, the company had sales of $6.6 billion and currently has more than 270 stores in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The Whole Foods Market motto, "Whole Foods, Whole People, Whole Planet"(TM) captures the company's mission to find success in customer satisfaction and wellness, employee excellence and happiness, enhanced shareholder value, community support and environmental improvement. Whole Foods Market, Fresh & Wild(TM), and Harry's Farmers Market(R) are trademarks owned by Whole Foods Market IP, LP. Wild Oats(R) and Capers Community Market(TM) are trademarks owned by Wild Marks, Inc. Whole Foods Market employs more than 53,000 Team Members and has been ranked for 11 consecutive years as one of the "100 Best Companies to Work For" in America by FORTUNE magazine.

About Kellogg's

By joining Fun and Fit as a Family in 2009, Kellogg's is continuing their commitment to changing what and how they market to children under 12 years old. Based on review of various scientific reports, Kellogg's will apply a Kellogg Global Nutrient Criteria (Nutrient Criteria) to all products currently marketed to children around the world. Products that do not meet the Nutrient Criteria will either be reformulated or will no longer be marketed to children under 12 years old by the end of 2008.