Hudson Valley, NY – September 26, 2011 – Panera Bread is inviting its customers to join the fight against breast cancer by eating a bagel for breakfast during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October). Panera Bread will continue its proud tradition this year of donating a portion of Pink Ribbon Bagel proceeds sold during the entire month of October directly to the Hudson Valley Chapter of the American Cancer Society. Panera’s signature Pink Ribbon Bagels are now available in the Middletown, Newburgh, Fishkill, Poughkeepsie, and Nanuet cafes.  In addition, Panera will be collecting money throughout the month through their Operation Dough-Nation® program and donating it to the American Cancer Society’s Hudson Valley Chapter. 

Shaped in the form of the iconic pink ribbon, Pink Ribbon Bagels feature cherry chips, dried cherries and cranberries, vanilla, honey and brown sugar, and are baked fresh early each morning by Panera’s bakers at each bakery-cafe. The product follows the tradition of ‘thinking pink’ during the month of October in the quest to eradicate breast cancer disease.  Sue Stees, one of Panera Bread’s first franchisees and a breast cancer survivor, developed the idea for the Pink Ribbon Bagel in 2001 as a way to help support the cause. Nearly two million Pink Ribbon Bagels were sold in 2010, raising more than $75,000 for charities.

Panera Bread’s Middletown and Fishkill cafes are also donating bagels to be enjoyed by walkers and volunteers during the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walks being held on Sunday, October 16^th at Woodbury Commons Premium Outlets in Central Valley, NY and Dutchess Stadium in Wappingers Falls, NY. This year marks the Walk’s 16^th anniversary and they are gearing up for more participants than ever. Last year’s walks raised over $60 million with 800,000 walkers nationwide. Registration begins at both locations at 7:30 a.m. For more information, please contact Maggie D. Beaute-Lucien at (845) 440-2513 or maggie.lucien@cancer.org

“Panera Bread is committed to serving the members of the local community, many of whom have had their lives touched by breast cancer,” states Tony Diaz, Operations Partner for Take Home The Bread, Franchisee. “We are honored to support the American Cancer Society in the fight to find a cure for breast cancer.”

For the past 14 years, Panera Bread has helped many charitable organizations through Operation Dough-Nation®, a program that allows Panera Bread and its customers to aid local charities.  Cash donations made by customers in the Community BreadboxÔ cash boxes at the registers are distributed annually to local charities. Panera also donates unsold bread to local area hunger relief agencies. For further information regarding Panera Bread, please contact BBG&G Advertising & PR at 845-695-1880.

About Panera Bread:

Panera Bread Company owns and franchises 1,493 bakery-cafes as of June 28, 2011 under the Panera Bread®, Saint Louis Bread Co.®, and Paradise Bakery & Café® names.  Our bakery-cafes are principally located in suburban, strip mall and regional mall locations.  We feature high quality, reasonably priced food in a warm, inviting, and comfortable environment.  With our identity rooted in handcrafted, fresh-baked, artisan bread, we are committed to providing great tasting, quality food that people can trust.  Nearly all of our bakery-cafes have a menu highlighted by antibiotic-free chicken, whole grain bread, and select organic and all-natural ingredients, with zero grams of artificial trans fat per serving, which provide flavorful, wholesome offerings.  Our menu includes a wide variety of year-round favorites complemented by new items introduced seasonally with the goal of creating new standards in everyday food choices. 

In neighborhoods across the United States and in Ontario, Canada, our customers enjoy our warm and welcoming environment featuring comfortable gathering areas, relaxing decor, and free internet access.  Our bakery-cafes routinely donate bread and baked goods to community organizations in need. The franchisee Take Home The Bread, LLC plans to open 7 new bakery-cafes in the area over the next five years and is opening a café in the Town of Poughkeepsie on September 26, 2011. Additional information is available on the Company’s website, http://www.panerabread.com.                                               

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