 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
WELCH’S FEATURED ON “JOHN RATZENBERGER’S MADE IN AMERICA”
Former “Cheers” star works side-by-side with Welch’s employees and grower in new Travel Channel program examining the American working spirit
CONCORD,Mass. (March 16, 2004) — Scores of products are "Born in the USA,"
but what gives an American product its staying power? According to actor
John Ratzenberger, it's the American working spirit. Ratzenberger, who
played postman Cliff Clavin on the hit television show "Cheers," discovered
what goes into America's favorite grape juice when he visited the vineyards
of southern New York State and the Welch's manufacturing facility in North
East, Penn. The fruits of his labor will be revealed when Welch's is featured
on "JOHN RATZENBERGER'S MADE IN AMERICA," a new Travel Channel program.
The episode premieres Tuesday, January 20, 2004, at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT.
Ratzenberger came to the Chautauqua grape belt in the summer of 2003 to meet the grape growers, line employees, and Welch's managers. Through the experience, he viewed the manufacturing of Welch's Purple 100% Grape Juice from the front lines, walked the fields with Jamie Millitello, a fifth-generation grape grower, and talked about the historic partnership between Welch's and the National Grape Growers Cooperative with Welch's CEO Daniel Dillon.
"These are the people who really built America, who get up every morning and work their hearts out every day," Ratzenberger said. "They get their hands dirty and they are great at what they do. They take pride in their workmanship, and there's nothing like it."
"JOHN RATZENBERGER'S MADE IN AMERICA" serves up snapshots of the people and places that are the backbone of the American economy. The new series travels from town to town, highlighting the unique niche each product has found in popular culture. Ratzenberger provides viewers with an intimate portrait of the American worker, focusing on the craft and the level of skill, pride, and dedication workers bring to the manufacturing process as they create a multitude of products that Americans — and others around the world — have come to know and love.
Welch's is the world's leading marketer of Concord and Niagara grape-based products, including grape juice and jelly. The company produces a variety of other fruit-based products, including 100% juices, juice cocktails, and drinks in the following forms: single serve, bottled, refrigerated, and frozen and shelf-stable concentrates. In addition, Welch's produces a number of fruit spread products under both the Welch's and BAMA brand names. Welch's Web site can be found at www.welchs.com.
"JOHN RATZENBERGER'S
MADE IN AMERICA" is produced for Travel Channel by Termite Art.
Erik Nelson is executive producer for Termite Art. Kathleen Cromley is
executive producer for Travel Channel. This program is produced in cooperation
with the Reader's Digest Association.
Travel Channel is the only television network devoted exclusively to travel entertainment. Capturing the fascination, freedom, and fun of travel, Travel Channel delivers insightful stories from the world's most popular destinations and inspiring diversions. It is available in more than 74 million homes and is a service of Discovery Networks, U.S., a unit of Discovery Communications, Inc. Visit Travel Channel on the Web at www.Discovery.com
