Kretschmar® and Festival Foods of Minnesota Partn

LISLE, III., June 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kretschmar ^® Premium Deli Meats & Cheeses and Festival Foods of Minnesota Fresh Foods have partnered with Make-A-Wish ^® Minnesota to help grant the wishes of children battling life-threatening illnesses. Now through July 12, shoppers at Festival Foods of Minnesota and Knowlan's Fresh Foods and Festival Foods stores across the St. Paul, Minn. area can contribute by purchasing $1 or $5 Make-A-Wish ^® Stars at the cash register.

“We have been long-time partners with Kretschmar on their line of premium sliced deli meats,” said Jason Herfel, Knowlan’s Super Markets vice president of fresh foods and marketing. “We are proud to extend our partnership to join them in this effort to benefit children, along with Make-A-Wish.”

Shoppers can also show their support for Make-A-Wish Minnesota by purchasing Kretschmar Make-A-Wish Sandwiches at the deli counter. A portion of these sales will help fund the wishes of local children.

“Make-A-Wish Minnesota has positively impacted the lives of so many children and their families as they endure the challenges of battling a life-threatening illness,” said Michael Baughman, Smithfield Foods director of marketing. “Everyone at Kretschmar is incredibly grateful for Make-A-Wish, and their efforts grant wishes and change lives. We are excited to partner with Festival and Knowlan's, and we are thankful for all of the thoughtful contributions made by Festival and Knowlan's shoppers.”

Since 2012, Kretschmar has contributed more than $650,000 to Make-A-Wish nationally and sponsored more than 12 wishes with local chapters through its Legendary Wishes campaign.

Kretschmar has raised more than $85,000 in support of Make-A-Wish through partnerships with retailers like Knowlan’s Fresh Foods. These funds continue to help local Make-A-Wish chapters grant even more wishes.

For more information about Kretschmar Deli and its involvement with Make-A-Wish visit  www.KretschmarDeli.com or www.Facebook.com/KretschmarDeli . Kretschmar is a brand of Smithfield Foods.

About Kretschmar Kretschmar Premium Deli Meats & Cheeses has meant quality since 1883. Our hams are made with a unique hardwood smoking process.  Kretschmar poultry and beef are hand-trimmed using the finest cuts.  Our full line of Off-The-Bone deli meats are delicately sliced from the leanest, most tender cuts. And our premium Wisconsin cheeses repeatedly win in competitions world-wide. Try the Legendary Taste of Kretschmar today. For great recipes and more, like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/kretschmardeli or visit our website at www.kretschmardeli.com .

About Smithfield Foods Smithfield Foods is a $15 billion global food company and the world's largest pork processor and hog producer. In the United States, the company is also the leader in numerous packaged meats categories with popular brands including Smithfield ^® , Eckrich ^® , Nathan's Famous ^® , Farmland ^® , Armour ^® , John Morrell ^® , Cook's ^® , Kretschmar ^® , Gwaltney ^® , Curly's ^® , Margherita ^® , Carando ^® , Healthy Ones ^® , Krakus ^® , Morliny ^® , and Berlinki ^® . Smithfield Foods is committed to providing good food in a responsible way and maintains robust animal care, community involvement, employee safety, environmental and food safety and quality programs. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com .

About Make-A-Wish Minnesota Thirty-five years and 5,000 wishes later, Make-A-Wish Minnesota is local, and we are here to stay with your support! From granting four wishes in our first year to granting more than 250 last year, we have come a long way, but our work is not over yet. We're lighting a spark within our organization and our community to grant a wish for every eligible child because we know wishes matter. According to a 2011 U.S. study of wish impact, most health professionals surveyed believe a wish-come-true can influence the health of children. Kids say wishes give them renewed strength to fight their illnesses, and their parents say these experiences help strengthen the entire family. For more information about Make-A-Minnesota and how you can share the power of a wish ^® , please call 612-767-9474 (WISH), visit mn.wish.org or connect with us at facebook.com/makeawishmn or on Twitter @MakeAWishMN.

About Knowlan's Super Markets, Inc. Festival Foods stores in St. Paul and Minneapolis are owned by Knowlan’s Super Markets, Inc. The company, based in Vadnais Heights, Minnesota, owns six Festival Foods stores and two Knowlan’s Fresh Foods stores. Knowlan’s Super Markets, Inc. is a privately held company founded in 1905. Twin Cities native Lauri Youngquist, President and CEO, currently owns and operates the chain. Youngquist’s sister, Marie Arthun, is also an owner.  More information is available at FestivalFoods.net . 

Contact: Faye Shroff Breaking Limits for Kretschmar 2137 South Blvd., Suite 200 Charlotte, N.C. 28203 Direct: (704) 766-9062 Cell: (704) 591-4353                                 E-Mail: fshroff@breakinglimits.net