GlobeNewswire Inc | Dec 1, 2020 09:00AM EST

December 01, 2020

MORTON GROVE, Ill., Dec. 01, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lifeway Foods, Inc. (Nasdaq: LWAY) (Lifeway or the Company), the leading U.S. supplier of kefir and fermented probiotic products to support the microbiome kicks off this holiday season with the release of their holiday commercial and Giving Tuesday initiatives.

Lifeway is spreading the holiday message of resilience and love through the release of their latest commercial. The inspirational holiday spot was created to encourage positivity through the end of the year.

This season the need to pull together as a community and support each other is greater than ever, said Lifeway CEO Julie Smolyansky. Were ramping up production to support the increased demand at retail, as well as additional product for giving initiatives. We want everyone to enjoy a safe and meaningful holiday season, and want to do our part to support the mental and physical health of our communities, which is why we have now donated over 250,000 servings of Lifeway Kefir this year.

Lifeway will be making monetary contributions to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and Meals on Wheels Northern Illinois in an effort to support both mental and physical health this holiday season. The company will also continue to give back by donating over $30,000 worth of product to food pantries and non-profit organizations this holiday season.

Lifeway will be donating products to the following organizations and encourages others who are able to do the same:

-- Meals on Wheels, Northeast IL -- Meals on Wheels Chicago -- Greater Chicago Food Depository -- Lakeview Pantry -- The Love Fridge -- Grocery Run Club -- Food Not Bombs -- My Block, My Hood, My City -- Common Threads -- Irving Park Food Pantry -- El Valor -- 360_Nation

This Giving Tuesday, Lifeway will also sponsor Chicagos City Clerk Anna M. Valencias 4th annual Women of Worth event. This event supports women and mothers across Chicago in need to bring them cheer throughout the holiday season.Lifeway will be supporting 60 mothers in need with a packed cooler of products and a $50 gift card to Midwestern grocery chain Marianos.

Were so thankful to have the support of Lifeway for our 4thannual Women of Worth event, said Clerk Valencia. We know this year has been particularly tough for our city and its families. Its because of the generous actions of companies like Lifeway, community organizations and all of our sponsors that were able to spread a little more joy this holiday season.

Were proud to partner with Lifeway on their Giving Tuesday initiative. At Marianos, were dedicated to our Purpose: To Feed the Human Spirit. This partnership with Lifeway will provide resources to mothers so they can gather their family around the dining table this holiday season, said Amanda Puck, Marianos Director of Strategic Brand Development.

Were always looking for ways to support initiatives that have a real, tangible impact on individuals, which is why were proud to partner with our friends at Marianos and sponsor this years Women of Worth event, said Julie Smolyansky, CEO of Lifeway Foods. In a year that has been so challenging, were inspired by the resilience and generosity on display in recent months. We applaud all the groups doing on-the-ground support and strive to activate our community to give back wherever they can this holiday season.

To view the full commercial, visit YouTube.com. To learn more about Lifeway and its products, visit lifewayfoods.com.

About Lifeway Foods

Lifeway Foods, Inc., which has been recognized as one of Forbes Best Small Companies, is Americas leading supplier of the probiotic, fermented beverage known as kefir. In addition to its line of drinkable kefir, the company also produces cupped kefir and cheese, frozen kefir, specialty cheeses, probiotic supplements and a ProBugs line for kids. Lifeways tart and tangy fermented dairy and non-dairy products are now sold across the United States, Mexico, Ireland and the United Kingdom. Learn how Lifeway is good for more than just you at www.lifewayfoods.com

About the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support and crisis counseling to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across the United States. The Lifeline is a national network of over 180 local crisis centers, uniting local resources with national standards and best practices. Funded by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and administered by Vibrant Emotional Health,the Lifeline is a leader in suicide prevention and mental health crisis care. Since its inception in 2005, the Lifeline has engaged in innovative public messaging, development of best practices in mental health, creative partnerships, and more to improve crisis services and advance suicide prevention for all.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

Forward-Looking Statements

All statements in this release (and oral statements made regarding the subjects of this release) contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding, among other things, future operating and financial performance, product development, market position, business strategy and objectives. These statements use words, and variations of words, such as expect, vision, will, predict, grow, and trend. Other examples of forward looking statements may include, but are not limited to, (i) statements of Company plans and objectives, including the introduction of new products, or estimates or predictions of actions by customers or suppliers, (ii) statements of future economic performance, and (III) statements of assumptions underlying other statements and statements about Lifeway or its business. You are cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations of future events and thus are inherently subject to uncertainty. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from Lifeways expectations and projections. These risks, uncertainties, and other factors include: price competition; the decisions of customers or consumers; the actions of competitors; changes in the pricing of commodities; the effects of government regulation; possible delays in the introduction of new products; and customer acceptance of products and services. A further list and description of these risks, uncertainties, and other factors can be found in Lifeways Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, and the Companys subsequent filings with the SEC. Copies of these filings are available online at https://www.sec.gov, http://lifewaykefir.com/investor-relations/, or on request from Lifeway. Information in this release is as of the dates and time periods indicated herein, and Lifeway does not undertake to update any of the information contained in these materials, except as required by law. Accordingly, YOU SHOULD NOT RELY ON THE ACCURACY OF ANY OF THE STATEMENTS OR OTHER INFORMATION CONTAINED IN ANY ARCHIVED PRESS RELEASE.

Company Contact:Derek Miller847-967-1010DerekM@Lifeway.net