Jif(R) Announces the Nation's Most Creative Peanut Butter Sandwich

ORRVILLE, Ohio, March 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, The J.M. Smucker Company, the makers of Jif(R) announced Shannon Lewis, 7, of Manalapan, New Jersey as the winner of the Fourth Annual Jif(R) "Most Creative Peanut Butter Sandwich Contest(TM)." Lewis' love for accessories inspired her to create the Peanutty Pretty Purse Pitas that included Jif Creamy peanut butter, a whole wheat pita pocket, strawberry-banana squeezable yogurt, fresh banana and fresh strawberries. This unique recipe earned Lewis a $10,000 college scholarship fund and a Jif gift basket.

The contest culminated with a live judging event at the Culinary Loft in the SOHO area of New York City. Lewis edged out four other finalists from across the nation. The four runner-up's each received a $1,000 college scholarship fund and a Jif gift basket. For photos and complete recipes, visit http://www.jif.com/.

  Runner-Up's
  * Andrew, 10, Huntington, WV - Chinese Monkey Roll with Honey Ginger
    Dipping Sauce
  * Victoria, 11, San Mateo, CA - Jif Peanut Butter California Roll
  * Larry, 9, Ansonia, CT - Easy P.B. & B. Empanadas
  * Maya, 9, Columbia, MD - Nutty Chicken Taco

"All five finalist recipes this year truly embody what this Contest is all about -- helping parents to foster creativity in their children," said Maribeth Badertscher, director, corporate communications, The J.M. Smucker Company. "We would like to congratulate Shannon, all the runner-up's and every child who submitted an entry this year."

About the Contest

Hundreds of peanut butter sandwich recipes from across the U.S. were submitted late last fall and underwent an initial round of judging based on creativity, nutritional balance, taste, appearance and ease of preparation. The top 10 sandwich recipes were then photographed and posted to http://www.jif.com/, where America voted online for their favorite sandwich based on the same criteria. The points from the first round of judging and the online vote were totaled and the top five finalists selected. The five finalists participated in the March 2nd live judging event. For more information about Jif peanut butter tips, recipes, contests and promotions, log on to http://www.jif.com/.

About The J.M. Smucker Company

The J.M. Smucker Company (http://www.smuckers.com/) was founded in 1897 when the Company's namesake and founder sold his first product -- apple butter -- from the back of a horse-drawn wagon. Today, over a century later, the Company is the market leader in fruit spreads, peanut butter, shortening and oils, ice cream toppings, and health and natural foods beverages in North America under such icon brands as Smucker's(R), Jif(R) and Crisco(R). The family of brands also includes Pillsbury(R) baking mixes and ready-to-spread frostings; Hungry Jack(R) pancake mixes, syrups and potato side dishes; and Martha White(R) baking mixes and ingredients in the U.S., along with Robin Hood(R) flour and baking mixes and Bick's(R) pickles and condiments in Canada. For over 109 years, The J.M. Smucker Company has been headquartered in Orrville, Ohio, and has been family run for four generations. Since the 1998 inception of FORTUNE Magazine's annual survey of the 100 Best Companies to Work For, The J.M. Smucker Company has consistently been recognized as one of the top 25 companies to work for in the United States. The J.M. Smucker Company has over 3,500 employees worldwide and distributes products in more than 45 countries.

Pillsbury is a trademark of The Pillsbury Company, used under license.