HORSHAM, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Thomas’®, the leading brand of pre-packaged grocery store bagels in the country, is celebrating National Bagel Day 2016 on Tuesday, Feb. 9, by debuting its first entirely new full-size bagel flavor in more than two years — the Lemon Blueberry Bagel — as chosen by consumers during Facebook voting last fall.
This new, limited-edition flavor will hit shelves just in time for National Bagel Day, and will be available for only six weeks. The Lemon Blueberry Bagel beat out contenders Apple Granola, Jalapeno Corn and Whole Wheat Everything — in respective order — to take the top spot.
“In recent years, the Thomas’ brand has seen a strong rise in the popularity of its Limited Edition flavors, so it was only fitting to give consumers the chance to vote on our next variety through social media,” said Jon Silvon, Senior Marketing Director of Thomas’ products. “The consumers have spoken, and we’re so excited to unveil the Lemon Blueberry Bagel in honor of National Bagel Day.”
Thomas’ will celebrate National Bagel Day on the ground in Los Angeles with a sampling event and outdoor party, but consumers across the country also have the chance to get a taste of Thomas’ Bagels, as the company will give away 10,000 free packages of bagels on its Facebook page all day Feb. 9. Consumers should visit Facebook.com/ThomasEnglishMuffinsandBagels to enter for their chance to win instantly. And while they’re online, fans can find ways to celebrate National Bagel Day at home by visiting ThomasBreads.com to get access to dozens of innovative bagel recipes to make during any meal.
Additionally, in honor of this annual food holiday, Thomas’ will be giving back to those in need by donating 2,016 packages of bagels — or nearly 12,100 bagels total — to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank at the Feb. 9 sampling event. The event will serve as the official kickoff to Thomas’ 2016 national sampling tour, the Tour Like No Other, which will take a branded Thomas’ “toaster” food truck to outdoor festivals and block parties in 18 cities coast to coast, allowing attendees to get a taste of a “Breakfast Like No Other” with Thomas’ English Muffins and Bagels.
The Thomas’ brand dates back to 1880 when Samuel Bath Thomas created his original English Muffin in New York City using a secret process that included griddle baking to create a Nooks and Crannies® English Muffin. The company has since added bagels and breakfast breads to its breakfast offerings. Today, Thomas’ sells the No. 1 English Muffin and No. 1 grocery bagel in the U.S. For a full list of Thomas’ products and where to buy them, please visit www.ThomasBreads.com.
About Bimbo Bakeries USA
Bimbo Bakeries USA (BBU) is a leader in the baking industry, known for its category leading brands, innovative products, freshness and quality. Our team of 22,000 U.S. associates operates more than 60 manufacturing locations in the United States. Over 11,000 distribution routes deliver our leading brands such as Arnold®, Bimbo®, Boboli®, Brownberry®, Entenmann's®, Freihofer's®, Heiner’s™, Marinela®, Mrs Baird's®, Nature's Harvest®, Oroweat®, Sara Lee®, Stroehmann®, Thomas'®, and Tia Rosa®. BBU is owned by Mexico's Grupo Bimbo, S.A.B de C.V., the world's largest baking company with operations in 22 countries.
About the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
For 43 years, the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank has worked to mobilize resources in the community to alleviate hunger. With a vision that no one goes hungry in Los Angeles County, the Food Bank has distributed more than 1 billion pounds of food since its inception. It provides food to over 320,000 people monthly and in 2015 distributed 62 million pounds of food. The Food Bank collects food from hundreds of resources, which — with the help of more than 27,000 volunteers annually — it distributes through a network of more than 625 partner agencies at more than 1,000 distribution and program sites. In addition, 97 percent of all donations go directly to programs. Our efficiency and effectiveness led to a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and LA Business Journal named the Food Bank as the “Nonprofit Organization of the Year” among large local organizations in 2013. For more information or to get involved, visit: www.lafoodbank.org.
