Grace Foods throws support behind 117th Penn Relays

Grace Foods, the Caribbean's premier food producer and distributor, will once again throw its support behind the prestigious Penn Relays, with a number of initiatives directed at benefiting both athletes and spectators, who are expected to descend on the April 28-30 meet.

Now in its 117th year, the Penn Relays, which is hosted by the University of Pennsylvania, has long been a stomping ground for local high-school teams and have always carried a rich backbone of Jamaican support.

Some 39 Jamaican teams participated in last year's Relays, as did double World Record holder and World and Olympic sprint double champion, Usain Bolt, and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.

It is to this end that the company, which also sponsors Olympic and World 100m champion Fraser-Pryce, has decided to throw its financial muscle behind Team Bickle, which has made it their duty each year to ensure the well-being of the Jamaican athletes in Philadelphia.

Grace Foods will provide cash donations and will also offer assistance in the athlete's nourishment through the provision of food items.

Grace Foods will also be setting up its 'Caribbean Oasis' in the Penn Carnival Village, where fans will get an opportunity to sample a range of the region's foods such as the Grace Coconut Water Plus, a sport drink that contains six essential minerals with a lower-than-normal sodium content.

Anthony Lawrence, global brand manager, shared how much the Grace Foods family views this sponsorship as an investment in the country's future athletes.

"As Jamaica strives to maintain its enviable record as world champions and celebrate the achievements of athletes from Arthur Wint, Donald Quarrie and Herb McKinley to Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell and with Jamaica's continued track and field domination, fans will be geared up to discover the next star to blast out of the 'sprint factory' of the world.

"It's going to be a fantastic three days. The best of Jamaica will be on show. Our athletes will bring their showmanship, Grace will bring great food and there's no doubt that the Jamaican patrons will certainly bring the vibe," Lawrence added.

Michael Felici, general manager of corporate partnership for University of Pennsylvania athletics and The Penn Relays, says fans can expect exciting competition.

"Caribbean fans can once again expect three exciting days of top-flight competition on the Penn Relays track. The sport's best in high school, college and Olympic development levels are in the process of qualifying for the oldest and largest track meet in the United States," said Felici.

"And, as always, outside Franklin Field will be as much fun as inside with vendors, led by Grace Foods, providing entertainment, contests and prizes. We invite all fans, especially our Caribbean friends to visit the Grace Foods display for a taste of home in Philadelphia," Felici added.