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HALLOWEEN CHEDDAR MINIS

CABOT CHEESE PROMOTES BETTER SKELETONS THIS HALLOWEEN Cabot Cheddar Minis are Healthy Alternative to Sweet Treats

Cabot, VT – (October 3, 2006) –Parents who don’t want to appear wicked on Halloween often allow their children to consume far more candy than they would otherwise be allowed. Perhaps under the guise of affection-by-confection, parents often contribute to the sugar-fest further with their choice of handouts to all the little goblins and fairy princesses that come knocking. Cabot Cheese offers a solution: individually packaged Cabot Cheddar Minis are among the healthy, kid-approved options parents can offer that won’t leave trick-or-treaters feeling tricked.

“Cheese is a great alternative for Halloween,” says Cabot Health spokesperson Sara Wing. “Not only is cheese a healthy source of calcium and strong bones, but studies have shown that eating cheese between meals can help reduce tooth decay. And kids love cheese!”

Cabot Cheddar Minis are individually-wrapped ¾ ounce bars of Cabot’s award-winning cheddars. Available in Sharp Cheddar and 50% Reduced Fat Cheddar, these Minis can be purchased by the box (100 count) from Cabot’s web site at www.shopcabot.comor by calling toll-free at 1-888-792-2268. Cabot Snack Packs, containing 8 units of the ¾ ounce bars per bag, can also be purchased at grocery stores. School meals, bag lunches and on-the-go snacking can all benefit from the health and convenience of Cabot Minis.

In addition to offering healthier treats like cheese, pretzels, small boxes of cereal or granola bars, there are other successful, parent-approved Halloween strategies. Feeding children a nutritious and filling meal prior to trick-or-treating can help reduce Fright Night sugar intake. Offering cash-for-candy or buying back less nutritious treats can often be successful. Some parents also trade small toys for treats. According to a study from in Yale’s Journal of Nutrition, Education and Behavior, children are just as likely to choose a small toy as candy when offered both on Halloween. Parents are still cautioned to cull out treats that are not packaged unless the giver is well known to the family.

“It is important for parents who encourage healthy eating habits to be consistent on holidays and special occasions,” said Wing. “While a special treat now and again is not going to harm anyone, it is important that kids not learn to associate celebrations, good behavior and special events as opportunities to gorge on sweets.”

Cabot Creamery Cooperative has been in continuous operation in Vermont since 1919 and is best known as makers of “The World’s Best Cheddar,” as honored twice now at World Championship Cheese Contests. Cabot is owned by the dairy farm families of Agri-Mark, the Northeast’s premier dairy cooperative. For additional information on Cabot Creamery, you are invited to visit www.cabotcheese.com.