Ojai, CA. - July 2, 2009 - To support the health and well-being of the men and women of the National Guard, Nourish America has teamed up with the National Foundation for Women Legislators (NFWL) and Natural Alternatives International (NAI) to begin "Operation Vital Nutrients," a new Nourish America program providing daily multi-vitamin/minerals to members of the National Guard. Kentucky Adjutant General, Major General Edward W. Tonini and the Kentucky National Guard Family Readiness Groups across the state are facilitating the distribution of the supplements to all of Kentucky’s 8,000 National Guard men and women.

"I want to thank Michael Morton of Nourish America, Robin Read of the National Foundation for Women Legislators, Councilwoman Tina Ward-Pugh and Mark LeDoux of Natural Alternatives International for their efforts on behalf of the soldiers, airmen and families of the Kentucky National Guard," said Major General Tonini at a recent media event in Louisville, KY. "We appreciate the gift you have provided us. We in the Kentucky Guard understand the need for good nutrition. Having deployed nearly 12,000 troops over the past eight years to austere environments in stressful conditions, we have put the health and welfare of our soldiers and airmen at our highest priority. Without a healthy force, we cannot perform our mission."

Due to a generous donation from NAI, Nourish America is able to provide a year’s supply of high quality daily multi-vitamins specially formulated for the National Guard men and women of Kentucky.

NAI’s CEO Mark LeDoux shared, "NAI recognizes the sacrifices of the men and women of our communities who serve in our National Guard. We know the stresses that come from rearranging lives and family schedules to heed the nation's call. It would be unpatriotic of us to not fully support these fine men and women who don our nation's uniform to protect our lives and our prosperity. As a public company, we fully recognize that the best teams are made up of motivated, trained and properly nourished people.It is our privilege to support these troops and Nourish America in their endeavors. May God Bless and protect each of those who serve."

"Operation Vital Nutrients represents the nation's best, working together through a public/private partnership to ensure that our citizen soldiers have basic nutritional support. Through Operation Vital Nutrients, these brave men and women will have the essential nutrients they need to face the many stresses and problems created by their deployment as well as the physical and emotional healing needed after their return from combat zones. We are deeply grateful for our partners in this important initiative" says Michael Morton, Executive Director of Nourish America.

Nourish America and NFWL’s goal is to have the Operation Vital Nutrients in all 50 states and the U.S. Territories over a three-year period, reaching each and every member of the National Guard - approximately 460,000 men and women.

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Nourish America is an award-winning 501 (c) 3 organization committed to improving the health of those in need through nutritional supplements, nourishing foods (including naturals and organics) and health education. Daily, 30,000 children in need, 34,000 low income seniors and 12,000 National Guard throughout America receive nutrition through Nourish America programs. Nourish America also provides nutritional support to evacuees, victims and emergency workers during domestic disasters.

Nourish America has received high ratings three years in a row for its fiscal management from Charity Navigator, the nation’s leading charity watchdog organization. Independent audits of Nourish America’s finances show that over 94% of all donations go directly to programs and those served. Donations can be made online at www.nourishamerica.org or through Chance to Give Foundation’s (www.chancetogive.com) iPhone charity app.

National Foundation for Women Legislators: Through annual educational and networking events, the National Foundation for Women Legislators supports women legislators from all levels of governance. As a non-profit, non-partisan organization, NFWL does not take ideological positions on public policy issues, but rather serves as a forum for women legislators to be empowered through information and experience. www.womenlegislators.org

Natural Alternatives International I (NAI): Founded in 1980, NAI prides itself on a strong commitment to health, scientific integrity and quality. NAI is a recognized and leading formulator and manufacturer of customized nutritional supplements and their comprehensive partnership approach to client servicing is unique within the industry combining clinical research, science-based formulation, advanced quality assurance testing methodologies, superior manufacturing and packaging capabilities, and broad marketing experience to create nutritional products that are formulated to address specific health conditions. www.nai-online.com.

Nourish America

Nourish America

Nourish Americaâ„¢ improves the health status of children, families, and seniors at risk for malnutrition by providing vitamin supplements, nourishing foods (including organics and naturals) as well as nutrition education and research. Strengthening Our Next Generation is our first priority - a series of programs ensuring that America’s future is strong, vital and positive. Programs include: Healthy Moms and Babies: Providing low income pregnant mothers-to-be the prenatal multi-vitamin support they need to assure a healthy pregnancy and healthy babies at birth. Children First: Providing nourishing foods and supplements to help low income children thrive both at school and in life. Teen Support: Supplying teens with nutrients to support healthy growth, emotional balance and success. Jump Start PE: Providing micro-grants to support quality, daily physical education programs in our nation’s schools. Other Nourish America programs include: Senior Support: Assuring that our senior citizens have the basic nutrients they need to keep up their energy, their health and their independent living. Operation Vital Nutrients: Providing much needed multivitamins and other nutrients to our citizen soldiers- the National Guard. Disaster Response: Helping those in need in times of crisis with nourishment and support. Nourish America owes its success to an innovative model of collaboration driven by the belief that every American, regardless of socio-economic status, deserves to receive the basic nourishment that is essential for health and well-being In this way we significantly reduce the escalating cost to the American people to care for those in need while also improving the health and well-being of all our citizens.

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