Stagg, 11, and Keene, 12, are quite possibly Bleu’s biggest fans and love breads made with whole grain. Both girls submitted essays about why their schools needed a lunch makeover and a little fun brought to the lunchroom as part of the Sara Lee Soft & Smooth Bread Ultimate Lunch Switcheroo Contest, a competition for Southern California students in grades three through eight. The grand prize includes a visit from Bleu, a $5,000 grant for the school and a one year supply of free Sara Lee Soft & Smooth made with whole grain bread for the winner. Sara Lee enlisted Bleu to help encourage kids and families to learn more about the benefits of whole grain.

“Getting Corbin involved not only gets kids excited about meeting a megastar, but it inspired some thoughtful and unique ideas about making lunch fun and nutritious,” said Tim Zimmer, vice president, Sara Lee Fresh Bakery. “We hope all this excitement will get kids and families to make the switch to breads with more whole grain.”

In their essays both girls described how meeting Bleu would be a dream come true. Keene said she and her sister love to eat sandwiches made with Sara Lee Soft & Smooth made with whole grain bread and how her mom is happy to buy it knowing it’s good for them. Keene wants all her classmates to try the bread and see how good food can be fun to eat.

Stagg said she and her mom love to cut out shapes of stars in peanut butter and jelly sandwiches made with Sara Lee Soft & Smooth bread. She eats toasted bread in the morning because it makes her feel full and gives her energy for the day. The winning essays can be found at www.thejoyofeating.com/lunch.

Both students received the news in December that they were winners and were presented with a gift box packed with goodies from Sara Lee and Bleu to commemorate the occasion. They each spent their holiday break preparing for the big day and dreaming up ideas for how their schools could use the $5,000 grant.

“I would like to see my school offer more vegetarian foods like grilled cheese sandwiches for people like me who don’t eat red meat or chicken,” said West Hollywood Elementary sixth grader, Stagg.

“I think my school should use the money to buy new and colorful tables and chairs and umbrellas for our outdoor lunch areas for everyone to enjoy,” said St. Rose of Lima seventh grader, Keene.

Whole Grain Nutrition

Along with Bleu’s appearance, local registered dietitian, Monica Montes, will talk with the students about whole grain nutrition and help Bleu present the $5,000 check.

“Everyone, especially kids, needs the benefits of whole grain in their diets,” said Monica Montes, registered dietitian and certified personal trainer at N.E.W. Health Consultants, Inc. in Pasadena, Calif. “Health professionals recommend most Americans consume 48 grams, or three servings, of whole grain daily to help maintain a healthy weight and reduce the risk of stroke, diabetes and cancer. Sara Lee Soft & Smooth breads, made with whole grain, give consumers the soft texture and light color they prefer with the nutrition they need. It’s the perfect bread for pleasing picky eaters while adding more whole grain goodness to the lunchbox.”

The Sara Lee Soft & Smooth bread line in particular has a mild taste and smooth texture most consumers prefer with added whole grain nutrition. The bread line includes Sara Lee Soft & Smooth made with Whole Grain White Bread, Sara Lee Soft & Smooth 100% Whole Wheat Bread, Sara Lee Soft & Smooth 100% Honey Whole Wheat Bread and Sara Lee Soft & Smooth Honey made with Whole Grain White Bread. Sara Lee has seen success with its bread line, particularly the Soft & Smooth made with Whole Grain White Bread, which since its launch in 2005 has become the best-selling loaf in the country. Consumers can learn more about Sara Lee products at www.thejoyofeating.com.

About Grace Stagg

Stagg is a sixth grader at West Hollywood Elementary School and quite possibly Bleu’s biggest fan. This is the 11-year-old’s first year attending the school where she is involved with the drama team, serves as a student tutor and will soon be appearing in the school’s upcoming musical production. In her spare time she loves to read and works as a freelance celebrity interviewer for Hollywood events. Stagg has interviewed dozens of celebrities such as Paris Hilton, Ashley Tisdale and the cast of Hairspray but has not yet met her idol, Corbin Bleu, until today. Her favorite sandwiches are peanut butter and jelly or tuna made with Sara Lee Soft & Smooth bread.

About Taylor Keene

Keene is a 12-year-old, outgoing and bubbly seventh grader at St. Rose of Lima School in Chula Vista. She has attended the school since kindergarten and is a cheerleader, volleyball player and honor roll student. Outside of school, Keene is an aspiring actress and singer performing with the Christian Youth Theater. She has always been health conscience and loves peanut butter and jelly or turkey sandwiches made with Sara Lee Soft & Smooth bread. She and her sister, an eighth grader at St. Rose of Lima School, are huge Corbin Bleu and “High School Musical” fans. Since Keene narrowly missed meeting Bleu at this year’s Mother Goose Parade in El Cajon, Calif. on Nov. 18, she is excited to get another opportunity to meet her idol and role model for the first time.

About Corbin Bleu

Corbin Bleu is best known for his starring role as Chad Danforth in the record-breaking and award-winning “High School Musical” and “High School Musical 2.” He will reprise his role on the big screen later this year in Walt Disney Pictures' “High School Musical 3.” Bleu recently completed producing and starring in the feature film “Freestyle,” set for release in 2008. He also starred as a boxer turned double Dutch champion in the Disney Channel movie “Jump In!” with Keke Palmer and his real-life father, David Reivers. His television credits include a series regular role on “Flight 29 Down,” and guest starring roles on “ER,” “The Amanda Show,” “Hannah Montana,” “Cover Me” and “Malcolm & Eddie.” He starred in the feature film “Catch That Kid” and has appeared in “Galaxy Quest,” “Mystery Men,” “Family Tree” and “Soldier.” Bleu is signed with Hollywood Records and his debut solo album, entitled “Another Side,” was released on May 1, 2007. He is currently in the studio working on his second CD. He recently starred in the sold-out 42-city national concert tour of “High School Musical: The Concert,” and spent the summer on tour performing his own music alongside Drake Bell and Aly & AJ. Bleu was nominated for an NAACP Image Award for his role in “High School Musical,” and was selected as one of Teen People's 25 Under 25, Teen Vogue's Young Hollywood stars, and as part of Entertainment Weekly's annual “Must List” as “Must 'Musical' Prodigies.” His favorite sandwich is grilled cheese on Sara Lee Soft & Smooth 100% Honey Whole Wheat Bread.

About Sara Lee Corp.

Each and every day, Sara Lee (NYSE: SLE) delights millions of consumers and customers around the world. The company has one of the world’s best-loved and leading portfolios with its innovative and trusted food, beverage, household and body care brands, including Ambi Pur, Ball Park, Douwe Egberts, Hillshire Farm, Jimmy Dean, Kiwi, Sanex, Sara Lee, and Senseo. Collectively, these brands generate more than $12 billion in annual net sales covering approximately 200 countries. The Sara Lee community consists of 52,000 employees worldwide. Please visit www.saralee.com for the latest news and in-depth information about Sara Lee and its brands.