MINNEAPOLIS (August 26, 2008) – In-store bakery managers can give consumers a compelling reason to visit the bakery during the busy back to school time with the Box Tops for Education fundraising promotion from General Mills Bakeries & Foodservice. Since 1996, America’s schools have earned more than $200 million through the Box Tops for Education program.
Box Tops for Education is one of the largest and most well-known brands in the school fundraising arena. The program allows consumers to clip Box Tops coupons valued at ten cents each from more than five billion packages available in retail stores and redeem them for cash for schools. The program provides in-store bakery operators a way to further engage with consumers, providing an easy way to get involved with their communities and schools. The program for in-store bakeries offers peel-off stickers worth 2 Double Box Tops – 20 cents – on packages of specially marked bakery products. “With more than 90,000 schools enrolled, Box Tops for Education has helped America’s schools earn more money than any other consumer packaged goods fundraiser,” said Renee Seran, promotions manager, General Mills Bakeries & Foodservice.” Through the Box Tops for Education in-store bakery promotion, bakery managers can help consumers support their schools.” General Mills will provide in-store bakery operators a merchandising tool kit to successfully execute a Box Tops for Education promotion. Kits include two rolls of Bonus Box Tops certificates, shelf wobblers, a double-sided sign and counter cards with tear pads featuring Bakery Bonus Cards, which allow consumers to earn even more cash for their schools. Consumers who collect and redeem five Bonus Box Tops certificates on the Bakery Bonus Card will double their earnings, bringing the total card value to 20 Box Tops, worth $2.00.
“It’s great for the in-store bakery to be able to participate in a national promotion such as Box Tops for Education,” said Kathy Hopta-Cummings, A&P Bakery Senior Category Manager. “The program is easy to execute at the store level and is a great way to support kids’ education. It’s a win-win. Customers can enjoy a variety of baked goods and help raise cash for schools, too.” By expanding the promotion to the in-store bakery, retailers can create a total store event around Box Tops for Education, which has a proven ability to drive into the store consumers who are looking for promoted Box Tops products.
Box Tops for Education has grown to be General Mills’ largest strategic philanthropic effort. Today, 95 percent of all K-8 schools are enrolled in the Box Tops program. For more information about the Box Tops for Education promotion, in-store bakeries should contact their General Mills Bakeries & Foodservice sales representative.
About General Mills Bakeries & Foodservice
The General Mills Bakeries & Foodservice division sells a wide array of high-quality products into the retail bakery channel, including bakery flour, dry baking mixes and frozen products including cinnamon rolls, muffins, puff pastry, scones and other sweet goods. It also markets dry baking mixes and bakery flour in the foodservice, restaurant and wholesale bakery channels. The division also sells General Mills branded cereal, yogurt, snacks and more in a wide variety of foodservice outlets, such as cafeterias, convenience stores and vending machines. The division generates more than $1.8 billion in annual sales.