Chex Mix Day Becomes Annual Event for Colorado Town; Sterling, CO., Celebrates With a Main Street Parade, Comedy Show, and $1,000 Scholarship.

Business Editors & Food Writers

STERLING, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 15, 2002

The town of Sterling is celebrating the best-selling snack mix on the market today with a Main Street parade, the naming of a "Mr. and Mrs. Chex Mix," the presentation of a college scholarship, a donation to a local food bank and a comedy show with comedian, Sean Morey. This is the second year the town has celebrated Chex Mix Day and the event just keeps getting bigger and bigger.

The first Chex Mix Day was created after local radio DJ Jason Murphy asked listeners of his KPMX morning radio show to name their favorite snack food. The resounding answer was Chex Mix.

"What an incredible day this is for Chex Mix," said Allegra Sinclair, General Mills. "This is a great event and a fantastic town. They have really embraced the fun of snacking."

The afternoon parade includes high school band and cheerleaders, local firefighters, police officers and more. The entire day's activities include radio remotes, Chex Mix recipe contests and other activities. In addition, General Mills will make a donation of Chex Mix to the Cooperating Ministry of Logan County. The organization provides food distribution, clothing and home health services to the residents of Logan County.

The excitement of Chex Mix Day continues into the evening with a musical comedy show featuring Sean Morey, creator of popular comedy songs including "Ghost Chicken's in the Sky," and "The Man Song."

General Mills has sent more than 1,000 bags of Chex Mix to Sterling, most of which will be donated to the local food shelf at Cooperating Ministries of Logan County. For the second year, General Mills is also awarding a $1,000 scholarship to a Fleming High School student selected by the local scholarship committee. This year's winner is Amanda Anderson who will be attending Northeastern Junior College this fall.

"We love Chex Mix and we are glad to have support from General Mills again," said Chip Steger, mayor of Sterling. "This year's event really involves the entire community and brings everyone together. In these trying times we wanted to get out and have a little fun and Chex Mix had the perfect recipe."

Known as the Queen City of the Plains, Sterling (pop. 11,557) is located in the northeastern corner of Colorado on Interstate 76. Having the largest population of any Colorado community east of Greeley, Sterling is the regional shopping hub for Northeast Colorado and Southwest Nebraska. For more information, go to www.sterlingcolo.com.

General Mills is a leading global manufacturer and marketer of consumer foods products, with annual worldwide sales of $13.5 billion. Its global brand portfolio includes Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Green Giant, Old El Paso and more. It also has more than 100 U.S. consumer brands, more than 30 of which generate annual retail sales in excess of $100 million. Included in the U.S. portfolio are some of the nation's most popular brands including Cheerios, Wheaties and other Big G cereal brands; Yoplait and Colombo yogurts, Betty Crocker desserts and dinner mixes; Betty Crocker and Nature Valley snacks; Totino's frozen pizza and snacks and Progresso ready-to-serve soups. General Mills is also a leader in the bakeries and foodservice business as a major supplier of baking and other food products to the foodservice and commercial baking industries. For more information, go to www.generalmills.com.