DOWNERS GROVE, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Coming soon to a lunchbox near you: Sara Lee Soft & Smooth^™ Bread and Disney’s “High School Musical 3: Senior Year.” Sara Lee Fresh Bakery, the makers of the best-selling bread in the country, is asking kids to get in front of the camera and show America how to make lunchtime showtime. Beginning today, the company will kick-off the Sara Lee Soft & Smooth “Lunchtime is Showtime” Video Contest and put out a casting call asking school-aged kids to create a video that encourages their peers to eat whole grain bread and to show their Soft & Smooth moves on how to make lunchtime showtime – just like the kids at East High from “High School Musical 3: Senior Year.”

The students with the winning video entry will receive a visit to their school by Corbin Bleu and Justin Martin from Disney’s “High School Musical 3: Senior Year” to serve lunch and a $25,000 grant for their school to bring joy to the lunchroom. The contest is part of the Sara Lee promotion of the highly anticipated theatrical release of Disney’s “High School Musical 3: Senior Year” and to increase America’s consumption of whole grain. The call for entries runs through Friday, Nov. 7, 2008.

“I can’t wait to see the creative videos kids put together for the Sara Lee Soft & Smooth ‘Lunchtime is Showtime’ Video Contest. As an actor it is always inspiring to see the imaginative work of others,” said Bleu, star of Disney’s “High School Musical 3: Senior Year.” “I’ve learned to eat more nutritious foods to give me energy and keep me strong and healthy, and we hope kids will understand that it can still taste great. I am thrilled to be a part of a program that encourages kids to eat well, help friends do the same and have fun doing it.”

The kids of East High will hit the big screen for Disney’s “High School Musical 3: Senior Year” on Friday, Oct. 24, 2008 in theaters nationwide.

“One of the best ways to interest kids in nutrition is to make it fun and enjoyable,” said Tim Zimmer, vice president, Sara Lee Fresh Bakery. “The Sara Lee Soft & Smooth ‘Lunchtime is Showtime’ Video Contest is a great way for moms and kids to learn about eating more whole grains and have a lot of fun in the process. We hope kids will discover nutrition can be fun and delicious as they head back to school.”

Sara Lee is kicking off the contest in conjunction with the second annual Sara Lee Soft & Smooth Take Your Whole Grain Sandwich to School Day on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008. On this day, parents are encouraged to send their kids to school with a whole grain sandwich in their lunch. Health professionals recommend most Americans consume three servings, or 48 grams, of whole grain daily to help maintain a healthy weight and reduce the risk of stroke, diabetes and cancer. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the average American consumes far less than the recommended servings of whole grain per day.

"Children and their parents don't always care for the taste of whole grain foods, so getting them to eat the recommended amount can be tricky," says Elizabeth M. Ward, registered dietitian and author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Feeding Your Baby and Toddler. “Sara Lee Soft & Smooth bread provides moms the nutrition they want for their kids along with the soft texture, mild taste, and light color kids prefer. It's the perfect bread for pleasing the pickiest eaters and for packing a child's lunchbox with whole grain goodness."

About the “Lunchtime is Showtime” Video Contest

Individuals or groups in kindergarten through eighth grade are eligible to enter the contest. Kids can sing, dance, act or cheer as they show how whole grains can fuel lunchtime fun – “High School Musical 3” style. In addition to the visit by Bleu and Martin, each winner or group of winners will also receive a $25,000 grant for their school and a one-year supply of free Sara Lee Soft & Smooth bread. Submissions will be accepted Sept. 3 - Nov. 7, 2008 at www.thejoyofeating.com, during which time visitors to the Web site can vote for their favorite video.

“I am having a blast working with Corbin on such a fun project that involves all the things I love: food, fun and making movies. Sandwiches are one of my favorite foods, especially a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on whole grain bread, so I am excited to have the chance to talk with other kids about eating more whole grains,” said Martin from Disney’s “High School Musical 3: Senior Year.” “As a new member to the cast I am very fortunate to have such an incredible mentor like Corbin to show me the ropes – both on the set and off – I hope kids will want to follow in my footsteps just as I am following in Corbin’s.”

The Sara Lee Web site, thejoyofeating.com, also will feature a variety of recipes and tips inspired by “High School Musical 3: Senior Year” to help moms create a healthy lunch for their kids. Moms also will have the opportunity to take a pledge to switch their families to bread with more whole grain and find out about other Sara Lee and “High School Musical 3: Senior Year” activities and promotions.

Additionally, the site includes the Whole Grain-O-Meter where moms may search for their favorite wheat bread to determine if it is 100% whole wheat or enriched wheat. Most wheat breads sold in the country are enriched wheat breads that have added various B vitamins and iron but have little whole grain nutrition. According to a national survey conducted by Sara Lee North America, 73 percent of mothers mistakenly identified their traditional wheat bread as 100% whole wheat, when it was actually enriched wheat bread.

About Sara Lee Soft & Smooth Bread

Products included in the Soft & Smooth bread and bun lines are: Sara Lee Soft & Smooth made with Whole Grain White Bread, Sara Lee Soft & Smooth 100% Whole Wheat Bread, Sara Lee Soft & Smooth 100% Honey Whole Wheat Bread, Sara Lee Soft & Smooth Honey made with Whole Grain White Bread, Sara Lee Soft & Smooth made with Whole Grain White Hamburger and Hotdog Buns, and Sara Lee Soft & Smooth Wheat Hot Dog and Hamburger Buns made with Whole Grain. Sara Lee has seen success with its bread line, particularly the Soft & Smooth made with Whole Grain White Bread, which since its launch in 2005 has become the best-selling loaf in the country. Consumers can learn more about Sara Lee products at www.thejoyofeating.com.

Sara Lee Soft & Smooth “Lunchtime is Showtime” Video Contest Rules and Regulations

No purchase necessary to enter or win. Making a purchase will not improve your chances of winning. Internet access and email account required to participate. See official rules posted at www.thejoyofeating.com for full details, including video submission requirements. Participation is open to legal residents of the 50 United States and Washington, D.C. who are enrolled as students in grades kindergarten through 8 in any public or private school (excluding home school) as of September 1, 2008. Participation requires prior parental approval. Contest begins September 2, 2008 at 9:00 am et and ends on November 7, 2008 at 11:59:59 pm et.

Many will enter our contest but only one person will win a prize.

Void outside of the 50 United States and Washington D.C. and where prohibited by law. Do not enter this contest if you do not meet eligibility requirements. Grand prize: (1) one grand prize will be awarded, consisting of a private screening at winner’s school of the winning video for classmates and school student body with a celebrity visit from Corbin Bleu and Justin Martin, one (1) year supply of free Sara Lee Soft and Smooth bread for the winner (52 coupons for the purchase of 52 loaves) and one (1) $25,000 grant to be awarded to the winner’s school, ARV of grand prize: $25,145.08. Sponsor: Sara Lee Corp.

About Sara Lee Corporation

Each and every day, Sara Lee (NYSE: SLE) delights millions of consumers and customers around the world. The company has one of the world's best-loved and leading portfolios with its innovative and trusted food, beverage, household and body care brands, including Ambi Pur, Ball Park, Douwe Egberts, Hillshire Farm, Jimmy Dean, Kiwi, Sanex, Sara Lee, and Senseo. Collectively, these brands generate more than $13 billion in annual net sales covering approximately 200 countries. The Sara Lee community consists of 44,000 employees worldwide. Please visit www.saralee.com for the latest news and in-depth information about Sara Lee and its brands.

About Disney’s High School Musical 3: Senior Year

Disney’s “High School Musical” phenomenon leaps onto the big screen in HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 3: SENIOR YEAR, in which America’s favorite high school students (ZAC EFRON, VANESSA HUDGENS, ASHLEY TISDALE, LUCAS GRABEEL, CORBIN BLEU and MONIQUE COLEMAN) hit senior year. Amidst a basketball championship, prom and a big spring musical featuring all of the Wildcats, Troy and Gabriella vow to make every moment last as their lifelong college dreams put the future of their relationship in question. A crew of sophomore Wildcats (MATT PROKOP, JUSTIN MARTIN, JEMMA MCKENZIE-BROWN) joins in the fun as the film’s incredible new music and exciting dance numbers take maximum advantage of the big screen.

About Disney’s High School Musical Franchise

Disney's "High School Musical" premiered in January 2006 on Disney Channel U.S. and posted the highest ever ratings for a Disney Channel Original Movie at the time. It went on to become a smash hit internationally, airing on 27 Disney Channels and free-to-air broadcasters worldwide. It has reached more than 250 million viewers in more than 20 languages across 100 countries. It was the first TV movie to be offered on the iTunes Music Store, and was the #1 TV movie on DVD in 2006. That same year, the movie’s soundtrack was the #1 ranked album.

“High School Musical,” directed by Kenny Ortega, written by Peter Barsocchini, and produced by Bill Borden and Barry Rosenbush, delivered licensed amateur and professional touring stage productions, a best-selling junior novel, a popular consumer products franchise at mass retailers, a themed show at the Disneyland^® Resorts in Anaheim, Orlando and Paris, a sold-out 42-date arena concert tour in North America and Latin America, and a popular touring ice show around the world. Adding to its success, it won two Emmy Awards, a DGA Award, an Imagen Award and a Director's Guild of America Award, among other honors. It received a Billboard Music Award (Soundtrack of the Year) and was nominated for an American Music Award.

"High School Musical 2" was ranked the #1 basic cable telecast of all time following its August 17, 2007, premiere (18.6 million viewers) and thus far has been seen by 187 million total worldwide viewers in 24 languages. The "High School Musical 2" DVD release was the top-selling TV property on DVD for 2007. The movie’s soundtrack is triple Platinum.

© Disney

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