The Golden Bear and the subsidiaries of The Schwan Food Company join forces with Children's Miracle Network Hospitals; also adds seven new flavors to the growing premium ice cream brand

NORTH PALM BEACH, Fla., Feb. 24, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- One year after the successful launch of a deliciously affordable ice cream that puts smiles on children's faces, golf icon Jack Nicklaus and the subsidiaries of The Schwan Food Company (collectively "Schwan"), have teamed up with Children's Miracle Network Hospitals® (CMN Hospitals) to make those smiles a little bigger. Jack Nicklaus Ice Cream is celebrating its first year with a commitment to contribute to this national non-profit organization that raises funds and awareness for 170 children's hospitals across North America. The ice cream brand was already a proud supporter of the Nicklaus Children's Health Care Foundation.

As the charitable support of Jack Nicklaus Ice Cream expands after year one, so does its offering of flavors, as the line will expand from seven to 14 flavors in 2016. In addition, the retail distribution of the ice cream will expand to new markets nationwide. "It's no secret that I love ice cream" Tweet this

"I'm extremely proud of the work we've done together with Schwan over the past year," Jack Nicklaus said. "My wife Barbara and I have a passion for philanthropy and, especially, supporting pediatric care through our work in South Florida and nationally with our Nicklaus Children's Health Care Foundation and Nicklaus Children's Hospital. Our family has enjoyed a wonderful relationship with CMN Hospitals in recent years, and because Schwan shares our passion for helping children, together we now look forward to advancing the mission of CMN Hospitals nationwide through the sales of our ice cream."

Since 1983, CMN Hospitals has been focused on generating funds and awareness for the benefit of children served by its member hospitals in North America.
"We are excited about this new partnership and the impact it will have on local sick and injured kids," said John Lauck, president and CEO of Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. "The corporate community continues to open its arms to our efforts with incredible support nationwide. Generous sponsors like Schwan and Jack Nicklaus truly help us make a difference in the lives of children and their families."

"This past year has been fantastic and what better way to celebrate the success of Jack's ice cream than coming together to support a worthy cause perfectly aligned with our own commitment to helping youth," said Dimitrios Smyrnios, chief executive officer of The Schwan Food Company. "In working with Jack, Barbara and Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, Schwan will have the special opportunity to help children and families in communities across the country. And let's not forget that everyone loves ice cream, so we have the added benefit of putting smiles on kids faces.

"Seven New Flavors!

In addition to the partnership with Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, the team from Jack Nicklaus Ice Cream is introducing seven new flavors loaded with quality, delicious ingredients. These new flavors include: Blueberry Cheesecake, Black Cherry, Mint & Chip, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Cookies & Cream, Pineapple Upside Down Cake and Mango Crisp. Original flavors include: Warm Spiced Butter Pecan, Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl, Salted Caramel Toffee, Strawberry Lemonade, Triple Chocolate, Coffee and Donuts, and Homemade Vanilla. Several of the new flavors have been inspired by recipes from Barbara Nicklaus, who just released a cookbook, Well Done!, with all proceeds benefitting the Nicklaus Children's Health Care Foundation.

The 2015 trial of the ice cream in select markets throughout Florida and Central Ohio was such a success, that Jack Nicklaus Ice Cream has expanded distribution. The ice cream is now available at Kroger, Publix, and Cub stores in select markets. Go to http://www.jacknicklausicecream.com/where-to-buy.htm to find a participating store near you. Consumers across the country can also have a select assortment of the ice cream delivered conveniently to their homes by ordering online at http://www.schwans.com/ or through the Schwan's™ mobile app.

"When we began developing the line back in 2014, it was truly a collaborative effort between Schwan, our family and our company, and Schwan has continued to be fantastic partners," Jack Nicklaus said. "The team at Schwan has a world-class product development center. Together, we have created a variety of flavors — all with real ingredients — for a quality, premium ice cream at a value price.

"I said a year ago that anyone who knows me knows it is no secret that I love ice cream. I will emphasize again today that I have never had so much fun in the research and development of a product. I am thrilled to witness the success of the ice cream, while furthering our mission to help children's health care with an affordable, delicious product."

Get social: #golffreezesover / @jacknicklaus

About the Nicklaus Companies

The Nicklaus Companies is dedicated to promoting excellence in the game of golf, preserving its great traditions and growing the game. For nearly 50 years, the mission of the Nicklaus Companies has been to enhance the golf experience, and to bring to the national and international consumer, golf-related businesses and services that mirror the high standards established in the career and life of Jack Nicklaus. In 2007, Jack Nicklaus partnered with Howard Milstein to help further the growth of the company and to realize the full potential of the brands and branded businesses. Howard Milstein is Chairman of New York Private Bank & Trust and is actively involved in the Nicklaus Companies serving as Co-Chairman along with Jack.

Products and services include golf-course design, development of golf and real estate communities, and the marketing and licensing of golf products and services. Nicklaus-branded products have been marketed worldwide since 1962. The Jack Nicklaus and Golden Bear-branded lifestyle collection of products include: restaurants; beverages; wine; home appliances; flooring; cabinets; apparel; footwear; golf academies; golf balls and other equipment.
For more information on the Nicklaus Companies, please visit www.nicklaus.com.

About The Schwan Food Company

The Schwan Food Company is a privately held, multibillion-dollar business. The various subsidiaries manufacture, market and sell fine frozen foods through home delivery, retail-grocery and foodservice channels. Its many popular brands include Red Baron®, Tony's®, and Freschetta® pizza, Mrs. Smith's®and Edwards® desserts and Schwan's® fine frozen foods. Headquartered in Marshall, Minn., for more than 60 years, the company's subsidiaries employ about 13,000 people in the United States. To learn more about the subsidiaries of The Schwan Food Company, visit www.theschwanfoodcompany.com.

About Children's Miracle Network Hospitals

Children's Miracle Network Hospitals raises funds and awareness for 170 member hospitals that provide 32 million treatments each year to kids across the U.S. and Canada. Donations stay local to fund critical treatments and healthcare services, pediatric medical equipment and charitable care. Since 1983, Children's Miracle Network Hospitals has raised more than $5 billion, most of it $1 at a time through the charity's Miracle Balloon icon. Its various fundraising partners and programs support the nonprofit's mission to save and improve the lives of as many children as possible. Find out why children's hospitals need community support, identify your member hospital and learn how you can 'Put Your Money Where the Miracles Are' at CMNHospitals.org and facebook.com/CMNHospitals.

For product images, contact Tarsha Rice at The Schwan Food Company via email at tarsha.rice@schwans.com. 

CONTACT: Jack Nicklaus & the Nicklaus Companies
         Brittany Miller, 561-227-0404
         brittany.miller@nicklaus.com
         
         Scott Tolley, 561-227-0300
         scott.tolley@nicklaus.com
         
         or
         The Schwan Food Company
         Tarsha Rice, 507-537-8550
         tarsha.rice@schwans.com
         or
         Children's Miracle Network Hospitals
         Brooke Johnson, 801-214-7511
         bjohnson@cmnhospitals.org