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happiTV chooses CIPIO’s Next-Gen Subscriber Experience Platform to Meet Demand of Subscription Growth

CIPIO.ai

CIPIO, an AI company that is Humanizing Subscriptions TM, today announced happiTV adopts CIPIO’s Next-Gen Subscriber Experience (SX) Platform TM to fuel growth. The LGBTQ+ community continues to play a pivotal role in shaping modern society. As a leading voice of the community, happiTV curates and delivers cutting-edge and award-winning content across major streaming devices and services including Roku, Amazon Fire, Android TV, and iOS. In anticipation of exponential growth of viewership and engagement, happiTV looks to CIPIO to lead efforts to drive a deeper relationship between Subscriptions and Subscribers. “Based on the overwhelming support of Pride Month, we have experienced a massive shift in thinking and mindset around acceptance of LGBTQ+ specific content programming. Our growth is directly tied to this shifting mindset and we need to effectively scale with the demand,” said Daniel Bort, CEO of happiTV. “Through their cutting edge AI platform and to meet the demand for our content, CIPIO provides us the ability to provide world-class user experiences for our subscribers as if we were one of the media giants of the world. As a result of the collaboration, happiTV is equipped and prepared for exponential subscriber and revenue growth.” By Humanizing Subscriptions TM, CIPIO empowers modern digital businesses to significantly enhance subscriber experiences throughout the subscriber’s journey from the trial to paid to proactively retaining subscribers and optimizing content acquisition costs. “CIPIO is proud to support happiTV’ s mission to impact society through groundbreaking content and programming for the LGBTQ+ community. This relationship embodies our mission around Humanizing Subscriptions TM,” said Sundeep Sanghavi, CEO of CIPIO. “Our team is obsessed with supporting content businesses like happiTV and their ability to thrive in an ever-changing digital world. Our primary objective is to create a lifelong connection between happiTV subscribers and their subscriptions which ultimately will exceed business objectives and fuel growth.” Digital businesses continue to proliferate society globally. As content subscriptions grow, businesses like happiTV are faced with common challenges: churn, conversion from free to paid and optimizing content acquisition costs. Through CIPIO’s Subscriber Experience Platform TM, digital organizations can address these challenges head-on to keep pace with dynamic market pressure. CIPIO is rapidly gaining momentum in the media and entertainment space and is leveling the playing field by providing the enhanced AI capabilities with augmented data to any and all size media and entertainment organizations. About CIPIO CIPIO Inc. provides the leading patent-pending AI platform that Humanizes Subscriptions TM for digital organizations. By bringing together human, machine, and domain data, CIPIO arms organizations with capabilities to sense, learn, predict and recommend digital experiences to strengthen the subscriber and subscription relationship. CIPIO impacts both the top and bottom-line financials for some of the world’s leading brands such as happiTV, Zype, InteliVideo, and Jonas Fitness. Learn more about CIPIO here. About happiTV happiTV is a new entertainment app dedicated to streaming content of interest to the LGBTQ+ community. Delivering feature films, TV series, non-fiction, or short-form videos, happiTV serves as an anchor for positive role models and powerful messages for the queer population. Unlike any other, happiTV is a place where the community can find powerful entertainment and resources that will better their lives. We are a 100% minority-owned and operated enterprise (LGBTQ+ and Latino) in the United States of America. Please patronize our sponsors and enjoy the work of our partners and creatives. Together, we can bring smiles and big grins around the world. That's what we are all about. We are happiTV. Contact Details CIPIO Media Relations +1 315-398-9541 pr@cipio.ai Company Website https://cipio.ai/

July 06, 2021 08:00 AM Pacific Daylight Time

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Pension Protection Act Overlooked by Many Retirees.

Jennifer Lang Financial Services, LLC

Contact Details Jennifer Lang Financial Services, LLC. Jennifer Lang +1 651-314-4812 mail@jenniferlangfinancialservices.com Company Website https://www.annuityquoteadvisor.com/

July 06, 2021 10:05 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Spiceology Teams Up with Craft Beer Pioneers New Belgium Brewing to Introduce Beer-Infused Blends

Spiceology

Spiceology, the fastest-growing spice company in America, announced today its latest innovation in partnership with New Belgium Brewing with the release of six new beer-infused blends. The launch of this line follows Spiceology’s 2020 launch of fan favorite beer-infused blends made in collaboration with over-the-fire cooking expert Derek Wolf. Spiceology and New Belgium Brewing are taking summer barbecue plans by storm with these new rubs, featuring bold summer-inspired flavors. The new beer-infused blends were carefully curated to inspire friends and family to come together and experiment with flavor with innovative profiles, including Citrus Ginger, Habanero Grapefruit, Hot Honey, Moroccan Tagine, Summer BBQ, and Sweet & Sour. “When you think of Spiceology, you think of big and bold experimentation. And that’s exactly what you think of when you think of New Belgium,” said Tony Reed, Chef and Director of Innovations and Partnerships at Spiceology. “When we had the chance to pair the iconic flavors of New Belgium brands like Fat Tire and Voodoo Ranger with our spices, we knew that the flavors of barbecuing would never be the same.” Both companies aim to bring delicious flavor to all through spice blends and beer, and most importantly aim to make the world a better place while doing so. At Spiceology, the team believes in better flavor, not just through good ingredients and unique combinations, but also through responsible business practices designed to create a better world, with diversity and inclusion at the heart of the workforce. 63% of the executive leadership team at Spiceology is made up of women, and benefits are offered equitably across the company, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. As a chef-owned and operated company, Spiceology is committed to supporting fellow LGBTQ+ community members all year long through its ‘Love is Love’ product, which donates 10% of sales to a different LGBTQ+ organization every month. “Just like New Belgium, we believe that business should be a force for good,” said Chip Overstreet, CEO at Spiceology. “While we’ve always been a fan of New Belgium for their delicious beers, this partnership really came to life when we realized our desire to use our business for good was synergistic.” For 30 years now New Belgium has crafted world class beer while pushing forward solutions to the biggest social and environmental challenges of our time. New Belgium was the first brewery to be alternatively-powered and is a certified B Corp, and recently announced their flagship, Fat Tire, as the first carbon neutral beer in America. “We’re always evolving at New Belgium and looking for partnerships that support our goal of being a force for good. Collaborating with Spiceology gives us the opportunity to pair our world-class beers with custom-blended rubs while working with a company that shares our values” said Shaun Belongie, VP of Marketing at New Belgium Brewing. “As we celebrate our 30 th anniversary this year and look ahead to the future, we remain committed to partnering with brands like Spiceology who give us the opportunity to experiment in ways we haven’t before.” With this delicious new line of beer-infused rubs, Spiceology and New Belgium invite consumers to come together and experiment with bold flavors both in the kitchen and beyond. find all six new beer-infused blends on Spiceology’s website. For more information on Spiceology and its products, please visit Spiceology.com, or follow the brand on Instagram. ABOUT SPICEOLOGY Founded in 2013, Spiceology is the fastest-growing privately owned spice company in America, who set out on a mission from day one to eliminate dull flavor. The chef-owned and operated, one-stop spice shop offers innovative signature blends and over 300 fresh small-batch ground spices, herbs, chiles, salts, confections, fruit and vegetable powders, and modernist cooking ingredients. By bringing both staple and unique flavor to leading restaurants and directly to your home kitchen, Spiceology aims to change how its community adds flavor to their food, for good. The brand is sold direct to consumers and chefs across the U.S. and Canada, with customers as far-reaching as Australia and Dubai. For more information or to place an order, visit www.spiceology.com or follow us on Facebook and Instagram. For recipe inspiration, visit here. ABOUT NEW BELGIUM BREWING New Belgium Brewing is recognized as a leader in sustainability and social responsibility. Founded in 1991 in Fort Collins, Colorado, the company expanded to Asheville, North Carolina in 2016, Denver, Colorado in 2018, and San Francisco, California in 2021, and is now the 4 th largest craft brewery in the U.S. Dedicated to proving that business can be a force for good, New Belgium is a Certified B Corp and was the first brewery to join 1% for the Planet. The brewery has donated over $29 million to charitable causes since 1991. New Belgium is famous for its flagship beer, Fat Tire Amber Ale, along with year-round favorites like Voodoo Ranger IPA, Sour IPA and La Folie Sour Brown Ale; as well as an award-winning wood-aged sour program and innovative limited release beers. To learn more about the full product lineup and New Belgium’s Human Powered Business model, visit NewBelgium.com. Contact Details Cassidy Levine +1 908-770-7880 cassidy@spiceology.com Company Website https://spiceology.com/

July 06, 2021 08:01 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Tayler Jade Breaks Top 50 on Mediabase Chart with “WYA”

Tayler Jade

WYA’s continued global growth is further propelled with two dance remixes by world renowned DJ’s Mikey Francis and Marc Stout. Ten weeks after Tayler Jade’s initial chart introduction, “WYA'' breaks the Top 50 on the Mediabase Activator Chart at #47 with national radio and fan support, 10+ million global digital streams, and club banging dance remixes by world renowned DJ’s and Producers. Released on April 9, 2021, by Jade Entertainment, “WYA” has created a global buzz and viral wave that has captured the attention of radio, media, fans, DJ’s and music producers all over the world. Today WYA holds strong at #47 on the Top 40 Mediabase Activator Chart and expected to break the Top 40 in the coming days. As an independent artist, Tayler’s ascent across all platforms highlights that technology and talent are the great equalizer to big labels and huge marketing budgets. “For a new independent artist with no major label support to see this type of success this early on, proves that new ideas and hard work pays off and no dream is too big.” – Thomas Barsoe, Founder OC Hit. In mid-April “WYA” was playing on Top 40 radio stations in the United States. Today, it is spinning on 30+ BDS reporting stations. In early June, its remixes started blowing the roof off the hottest nightclubs in Las Vegas with the support of some of the best local resident DJ’s of: Omnia, Hakkasan, Wet Republic, XS and Encore. Mikey Francis, Marc Stout and Tony Arzadon have made a tremendous impact on the success of “WYA” in the EDM/Dance world. In the first three weeks of release, Mikey Francis’ remix of “WYA” is quickly approaching 3 million streams; the Marc Stout and Tony Arzadon remix hit 2.5 million in the first 12 days. “It's been a pleasure to work with such a kind and talented creative as Tayler, and the speed at which fans are connecting with her work is quite astounding. The moment I heard WYA I knew that this was going to be a big hit and the response from the club crowds has been nothing short of amazing.” – Mikey Francis “Tony and I only get involved in projects we are excited about and see potential in and this was one of those. The response to our mix of ‘WYA’ has been insane and we are excited to see how far this track continues grow worldwide!” - Marc Stout Tayler Jade is connecting with music fans at a very rapid pace and her vision of building a connected community that not only share her love for music, but with a mission of using her community to impact the lives of children around the world will hopefully become the blueprint for other artists to follow. “Music brings people together at a spiritual level. Tayler has that rare gift, and it is inspiring to see how she wants to use her gift to help feed and educate children all around the world. Her idea of bringing people together through music in order to bring awareness to these children in need is a beautiful thing to watch and as her father words cannot express how proud of her I am.” – John Royce Lynch As an independent artist, to find her place alongside her hero’s and some of the biggest artists in the world in the first 6 months of her debut is a blessing and an impressive accomplishment. While Tayler’s music continues to climb the charts, she manages to remain grounded and grateful for the support of her family, fans and team. “As a fan of music myself, I am humbled by all the love and kindness that my team and I have been shown as we embark on this journey to create social impact that can make a difference in the lives of those in need. It really means the world to me to have your support and I cannot thank you enough.” – Tayler Jade The excitement surrounding “WYA” has prompted an early release of Tayler’s next single “Whatever You Say” which will be available for pre-sale Friday, July 9th and officially released August 6,2021. This will be the last of the 3 singles to round out this initial public introduction phase to assess community response to Tayler Jade’s original music and brand. TAYLER JADE is an American Pop/R&B singer-songwriter. Her debut “Dual Single” released on February 12, 2021 under her own label JADE ENTERTAINMENT, is climbing the TOP 40 Media Base Activator Chart alongside the biggest artists in the world. Part One of her dual release “Temporary” and Part Two “WYA” seem to have connected with music fans worldwide, with over several million streams on all the major streaming platforms in only a few short months and continuing to climb. To learn more about Tayler Jade, we invite you to join the movement at www.TAYLERJADE.com Contact Details Jade Entertainment Jason Jepson +1 949-394-7033 jason.jepson@taylerjade.com DNT Agency Dani Thompson danithompson@dntagency.com Company Website https://www.taylerjade.com/

July 06, 2021 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Comcast Establishes 50 WiFi-Connected Lift Zones in Houston and Surrounding Areas

Comcast Houston

As part of its ongoing commitment to help connect low-income families to the Internet so they can fully participate in educational opportunities and the digital economy, Comcast today announced it has equipped 50 locations in Houston and surrounding areas with free WiFi enabled Lift Zones. Working with its network of nonprofit partners, Comcast is providing robust WiFi hotspots in safe spaces designed to help students get online, participate in distance learning and do their homework. This initiative provides free connectivity inside partner community centers for the next three years. “We are proud to partner with community organizations across Houston and surrounding areas and equip them with free internet service to provide safe, fast, and reliable connectivity,” said Ralph Martinez, regional senior vice president, Comcast Houston. “The COVID-19 crisis put many at risk of being left behind, accelerating the need for comprehensive digital equity and Internet adoption programs to support them. We hope these Lift Zones will help those who, for a variety of reasons, are unable to connect to effective distance learning at home.” Each Lift Zone location will be outfitted with a robust WiFi solution, powered by Comcast Business, at no cost. The sites are equipped with a combination of Comcast Business’ award-winning Business Internet, WiFi Pro and SecurityEdge solutions; customized based on the size and unique connectivity needs of each location. Some of the Houston and surrounding area community organizations that have established Lift Zones in their respective facilities include Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Houston, the City of Houston, and the City of Galveston. A full list of Comcast Lift Zones in Houston and surrounding areas, can be found here. Earlier this year, Comcast announced a $1 billion commitment over ten years in continued support of digital equity, including its Lift Zones initiative, which aims to establish WiFi-connected safe spaces in 1,000+ community centers nationwide for students and adults by the end of 2021. Lift Zones complement Comcast’s Internet Essentials program, which has helped connect approximately 10 million low-income people to the Internet at home since 2011, including almost one million Texans. Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company that connects people to moments that matter. We are principally focused on broadband, aggregation, and streaming with over 56 million customer relationships across the United States and Europe. We deliver broadband, wireless, and video through our Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky brands; create, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, Universal Studio Group, Sky Studios, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, multiple cable networks, Peacock, NBCUniversal News Group, NBC Sports, Sky News, and Sky Sports; and provide memorable experiences at Universal Parks and Resorts in the United States and Asia. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information. Contact Details Comcast Misha McClure +1 832-547-6783 Misha_McClure@cable.comcast.com Company Website https://houston.comcast.com/

July 06, 2021 05:00 AM Central Daylight Time

California is Open Again: What You Need to Know Before You Visit

YourUpdateTV

California’s tourism industry was hit tremendously hard by the pandemic, with nearly one million jobs lost across the state. But as the nation reopens, California's overall economy is expected to rebound faster than the national average, according to economists. Recently, President and CEO of Visit California, Caroline Beteta, participated in a nationwide satellite media tour to discuss the states reopening, top destinations, and tips on how to make up for lost time. A video accompanying this announcement is found here: https://youtu.be/WJhB_7XLI7s To celebrate California’s reopening, Visit California launched their Dreaming On in California campaign. Visit California encouraged locals and visitors to share their stories of postponed dreams, skipped plans and cancelled celebrations from 2020. Chosen participants received once-in-a-lifetime, statewide experiences featuring jaw dropping, dream-worthy partnerships and appearances. Experiences ranged from an unforgettable meal prepared by acclaimed celebrity chef Curtis Stone, to behind-the-scenes access at a San Diego Padres game, a magical Disneyland Resort Vacation, a luxury road trip with stops at Marriot International properties, and a series of fairytale weddings at the luxurious Carneros Resort and Spa. Everyone lost out on so much last year – missed milestones, time with loved ones, travel, and much more. Now it’s time to recapture those moments. California’s hospitality industry has fully reopened and is rolling out the red carpet for travelers this summer and beyond. For more information, visit www.visitcalifornia.com. About Caroline Beteta: Caroline Beteta serves as president & CEO of the industry-led Visit California, a nonprofit organization created to market California as a premier travel destination to increase the state’s share of tourism-related revenues. She simultaneously serves as a strategic advisor for the Governor’s Office of Business & Economic Development (GO-Biz). Beteta is responsible for implementing Visit California’s global marketing program on behalf of the organization’s 21,000 investors and serves as the lead spokesperson for California’s travel industry. In her tenure, she has overseen a decade of growth for California’s travel industry, peaking in 2019 with a record $144.9 billion in economic benefit to the state. She has shepherded the growth of Visit California into a global marketing franchise and helped restore travel and tourism following numerous natural and economic crises. About Visit California: Visit California is a nonprofit organization with a mission to develop and maintain marketing programs – in partnership with the state’s travel industry – that keep California top-of-mind as a premier travel destination. For more information about Visit California and for a free California Official State Visitor's Guide, go to www.visitcalifornia.com. For story ideas, media information, downloadable images, video and more, go to media.visitcalifornia.com. About YourUpdateTV: YourUpdateTV is a social media video portal for organizations to share their content. It includes separate channels for Health and Wellness, Lifestyle, Media and Entertainment, Money and Finance, Social Responsibility, Sports and Technology. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

July 02, 2021 11:34 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Summer Home Maintenance To-Do List

YourUpdateTV

Summer is a great time to tackle your to-do list, but with seemingly endless lists it is hard to know what project is a “must-do” or what can be delayed. It is easy to put off home maintenance projects, but there are a few projects that shouldn’t wait. Recently, Home Care Expert at Angi, Bailey Carson, shared her top maintenance projects for the summer and tips on saving money and time. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/fm8VglbsBJM If you only do a few home projects this season, make them these—you’ll save yourself a lot of time, money and despair down the road. Weather Proofing - A home that can withstand all seasons is critically important and key to a four seasons home are weather proofing projects like caulking and weather-stripping doors and windows and implementing passive design can make a huge difference. Leaky Roofs or Windows - Leaks in the short-term are a nuisance, but in the long-term leaks create huge problems for your home. At Angi, major roof repair is one of the most common tasks and according to our cost data can easily cost in the thousands. To avoid the total replacement, be proactive and take care of weak spots. Call a professional to do an assessment. In addition to saving money, leaks can cause water damage and buildup of hazardous mold. Cleaning gutters & downspouts - Fall leaves, followed by winter weather and spring showers, can cause major buildup in your gutters and downspouts. Cleaning these each year can prevent roof problems, water damage and flooding in and around your home. Annual HVAC servicing - A hot summer day is the last time you want an unexpected AC outage. Servicing your HVAC units can help prevent those, while also determining if there are any inefficiencies that could be driving up your energy bills and costing you more and more each month. Cleaning out dryer vents - We may be good at cleaning out the lint trap each time we use the dryer, but most of us tend to put off dryer vent cleanings because they’re out of sight, out of mind. No more – these are a major fire hazard, and they cause your dryer to work harder each time, wasting energy and driving up your monthly utility bills, and replacements can be costly. For more information and to find an expert near you, visit Angi.com About Bailey Carson: Bailey Carson is a Home Care Expert at Angi and Head of Book Now. In this role, she oversees all aspects of Book Now services from product and operations to sales and marketing. She transitioned from her prior role as General Manager of Everyday Services for Angi. Previously, Bailey was the SVP of Growth for Handy, an Angi sister brand, where she led the expansion of its cleaning business, overseeing marketing, operations and customer support. In addition to her 15+ years of work experience, Bailey is also a seasoned homeowner and just completed a move to Virginia including a remodel – all with three kids (including twins)! She has dedicated countless hours of personal and professional time to understanding the ins and outs of everyday home care including cleaning, lawncare and more. Bailey earned her MBA from Harvard Business School and her BS in Business Administration and Accounting from Washington and Lee University. About YourUpdateTV: YourUpdateTV is a social media video portal for organizations to share their content. It includes separate channels for Health and Wellness, Lifestyle, Media and Entertainment, Money and Finance, Social Responsibility, Sports and Technology. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

July 01, 2021 11:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Pocono Organics Becomes World’s First Regenerative Organic Certified Hemp Grower

Pocono Organics

Pocono Organics, one of the largest regenerative organic farms in North America, has received its Regenerative Organic Certification (ROC), becoming the first source grower of Regenerative Organic Certified hemp in the world. The Regenerative Organic Alliance (ROA) is the governing body for the Regenerative Organic Certification standards and criteria and was created by three global pioneers in the organic and regenerative organic industries – Patagonia, Rodale Institute, and Dr. Bronner’s. The ROA has meticulously developed the revolutionary ROC designation for farms and products that meet the highest standards in the world for soil health, animal welfare, and social fairness. This new label goes beyond the existing USDA Certified Organic standards and does not include hydroponic growing practices. “This is an absolute game-changer for our farm as well as for companies and consumers searching for ROC produce and hemp that they can trust,” said Ashley Walsh, founder and president of Pocono Organics. “There is a vital link between the health of our soil, the health of the crops we grow, and ultimately human health.” Walsh and her team have recently launched their USDA Certified Organic full-spectrum hemp extract product line. Now with the new designation, these will become the first products in the world made with ROC hemp. It’s important to know how your hemp is grown and the true potency of the products. Independent, third-party testing shows that there are no heavy metals or pesticides and also reports accurate potency for Pocono Organics’ products. Pocono Organics’ CBD is the only line to carry the respected Rodale Institute logo on its products and packaging. The two global leaders have conducted extensive research on the potential uses of industrial hemp for the last three years. Pocono Organics’ wellness products are CBD-abundant and harness the power of full-spectrum hemp extract to deliver a broader range of health-promoting cannabinoids that contain well under.3% THC. New York Magazine recently named Pocono Organics’ bath bombs one of the Best CBD Bath Products to buy. The product line - available online and carried in retail outlets, spas, and numerous doctors’ offices across multiple states - is formulated in Pocono Organics’ in-house lab to create artisanal, small-batch items including tinctures, creams, body oil, salve sticks, lip balms, and bath bombs. The Global Center for Research, Education, and Discovery, which opened to the public in June of 2020, spans more than 380 acres atop the iconic Pocono Mountains and is a source grower of regenerative organic certified produce and hemp for retailers, distributors, restaurants, and consumers. Regenerative organic agricultural practices make soil health the priority and include low-till methods and zero-use of synthetic chemicals, pesticides and GMOs. Pocono Organics’ farming approach, in partnership with Rodale Institute, produces some of the cleanest and most nutrient-dense crops grown on earth – making them better for consumers – while also strengthening and healing the soil in which they are grown – which is better for our planet. In fact, Rodale Institute released a White Paper in September, 2020 illustrating the science that a global switch to regenerative crop and pasture systems could drawdown more than 100 percent of annual CO2 emissions. “For more than 70 years, our partners at Rodale Institute have led the world in regenerative organic science and research that shows how healthy soil grows more nutrient-dense food,” Walsh continued. “Our vision, as a health and wellness organization, is to inspire people and heal the earth. The United Nations has reported that we have less than 60 farming cycles left before our soil is completely depleted of the nutrients needed to grow the food we need. So, we are not only facing issues of human health, but of soil health that will further impact humanity and the food we eat. The ROC designation is proof of our commitment to this mission, to our communities, and our planet.” The USDA’s 2020-2025 food guidelines also highlight the need for Americans to eat more nutrient-dense foods to promote better health and fight the risk of chronic disease. “I can attest to the power of using food as medicine and plant-based wellness products, like hemp, from my own personal health journey. I was diagnosed with gastroparesis in my late ‘20s, which is a paralyzed stomach. Essentially, I can’t digest food like normal people. So, when doctors suggested cutting out parts of my stomach, inserting feeding tubes, and putting me on a regiment of medications to make me well, I leaned into organic food as a source of nutrition that drastically improved my health and changed my life. That is where the vision of Pocono Organics originated, which makes our mission extremely personal for me.” Pocono Organics is also an agritourism destination with a boutique 56-room hotel adjoining the farm property. Guests can get their hands dirty on the farm and enjoy freshly picked vegetables and fruits as well as prepared meals from its market and café. There are also regular in-person and virtual experiential series ranging from cooking classes with Executive Chef and Food Network Chopped Champion, Lindsay McClain to wellness and food education programs for children. -30- About Pocono Organics Pocono Organics Pocono Organics is a health and wellness organization with a mission to inspire people and heal the earth. The Global Center for Research, Education, and Discovery is one of the largest Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC) farms in North America and grow the world's first and only ROC hemp. Located in Long Pond, Pennsylvania, Pocono Organics has more than 380 acres of farm land and, at full build out, will have 120,000 square feet of greenhouse. Pocono Organics has a strategic partnership with Rodale Institute, the global leaders in Regenerative Organic Agriculture science and research and is one of their largest research satellite facilities. Awarded the 2019 Environmental Innovator of the Year by the Green Sports Alliance, sustainability is a hallmark of Pocono Organics. The farm draws power from a 3MW, 25-acre solar farm and reclaims rain water from 70,000 square feet of roofs for irrigation. Pocono Organics also serves the local community through its Clean Food, Dirty Hands school education program and veterans in transition through a Veteran Farmer Training Program. In addition, the property includes an organic farmer's market and cafe, and with a 56-room adjoining hotel, is an agritourism destination, and host location for annual festivals. Please visit www.PoconoOrganics.com to learn more about Pocono Organics' mission and work. Contact Details Pocono Organics Mike Mooney +1 704-361-9499 mike@poconoorganics.com Company Website https://www.poconoorganics.com/

July 01, 2021 09:15 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Valley Produce Joins FreshEdge

Rotunda Capital Partners LLC

Valley Produce (“Valley”), a distributor of fresh produce and specialty products, has joined FreshEdge, a family of produce and specialty food companies backed by Rotunda Capital Partners. The addition further diversifies the group’s combined customer base, and increases its breadth and depth of service offerings in Tennessee and the southeastern U.S. Valley is part of a growing family that includes Piazza Produce & Specialty Foods, Indianapolis Fruit, Get Fresh, McCartney Produce, Leonardo’s Produce, Garden Cut, CIBUS Fresh and Papania’s. FreshEdge now operates with 1,430 employees and approximately 600,000 square feet of warehouse space, and a fleet of more than 600 trucks. “We are excited for Valley to join our family of ‘Best in Class’ fresh food distribution companies that are supported by our vertically integrated value-added operations,” said Steve Grinstead, CEO of FreshEdge. Terms of the deal, which closed on June 30, 2021, were not disclosed. The transaction strengthens the combined business’s presence in eastern Tennessee and enables continued expansion into the broader southeastern U.S. “We welcome the Valley team and are excited to have them join FreshEdge,” said Greg Corsaro, president and COO of FreshEdge. “Adding Valley to our family of companies greatly enhances our ability to serve retail and foodservice customers throughout the Mid-South and Southeast.” Founded in the early 1980s, Valley distributes fresh produce and specialty products to foodservice customers from its facility near Knoxville, Tennessee. Mark Stansberry will continue to lead Valley as president, and the company’s operations will carry on from its current facility. “By joining FreshEdge, Valley will expand its selection of specialty items and add fresh cut processed products such as fresh salads, sandwiches, and healthy snack items – while continuing to provide exceptional customer service to our current and future customers,” said Stansberry. “We look forward to this new era of opportunity and growth for Valley.” FreshEdge is backed by Rotunda Capital Partners, a Bethesda, Maryland-based private equity firm that invests equity capital in established lower middle-market companies. Rotunda provides opportunities for management teams to reach strategic, financial, and operational objectives. Rotunda entered the food business in 2017 with the acquisition of Indianapolis Fruit and Piazza Produce. FreshEdge was created in 2019 when Get Fresh joined the platform. Valley represents FreshEdge’s fifth acquisition since Rotunda’s initial investment. Together, Rotunda and FreshEdge intend to continue expanding FreshEdge by welcoming more companies into the group—all focused on high quality produce and specialty food products, along with exceptional service—to create a unique team of complementary entities. About FreshEdge FreshEdge was formed in 2019 through the combination of Get Fresh Produce (founded 1982) and the IF&P Foods family of companies, primarily composed of Indianapolis Fruit (founded 1947) and Piazza Produce (founded 1970). Collectively, the three leading fresh food distribution companies have nearly 150 years of combined experience serving the grocery and food service industries. In addition, FreshEdge includes two Garden Cut branded fresh-cut processing facilities, a tomato re-packer, a USDA fresh kitchen (CIBUS Fresh), and two transportation companies. FreshEdge’s fleet resource includes 620 trucks servicing the Midwest and beyond from nine facilities totaling approximately 600,000 square feet of warehouse space. Today, FreshEdge is one of the largest independent fresh food distributors in the United States and a category leader in providing both the foodservice and retail industries with fruit, vegetables, proteins, fresh grab-n-go offerings, dairy, floral, and specialty products. About Rotunda Capital Partners Rotunda Capital Partners is a private equity firm that invests equity capital in established, lower middle market companies. Rotunda partners with management to build data-driven growth platforms within its targeted sectors, including value-added distribution, asset light logistics and industrial/business services. Founded in 2009, the firm has a long history of helping management teams achieve their goals for growth. The Rotunda team actively provides guidance and draws on deep industry and financial relationships to contribute to the successful execution of Rotunda’s companies’ strategic plans. The firm has offices in Bethesda, MD and Evanston, IL. For more information, visit www.rotundacapital.com. # # # Contact Details Rotunda Capital Partners Jill Lafferty +1 847-280-1295 jill@rotundacapital.com FreshEdge Greg Corsaro +13179813440 gcorsaro@freshedgefoods.com Company Website https://www.rotundacapital.com

July 01, 2021 08:56 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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