ATLANTA -- The bakery departments of at least two supermarket chains have tied in to an antidrug campaign by handing out free cookies bearing a "Just Say No" message.
The effort is being conducted in conjunction with "Just Say No" International, Oakland, Calif., and Parco Foods, Blue Island, Ill., a bakery supplier.
The cookies are being distributed free to any children who may be passing through the stores' bakery departments. So far participants include the Kroger Co. division here and Hornbacher's Foods, Fargo, N.D.
"The program began with Kroger," said an official of Parco Foods. "They spoke with someone at 'Just Say No,' who then spoke with someone at Parco."
Kroger officials declined to comment.
For each pound of "Just Say No" cookies it sells to participants, Parco Foods will donate a portion of its proceeds to "Just Say No" International, an organization devoted to creating programs for children and teenagers to help them avoid drugs.
Dean Hornbacher, general manager of Hornbacher's Foods, said the company had been involved with a local chapter of "Just Say No" on past projects, and this seemed like another good idea.
He said the company introduced the cookies in late April in its five in-store bakeries and has received some positive comments from consumers.
Hornbacher said it is in talks with "Just Say No" for some other programs. He declined to elaborate.
"Just Say No" International operates in all 50 states and in 12 countries around the world. The organization recently introduced Youth Power, a program to help kids learn to avoid destructive behaviors.
The Parco official said that while the "Just Say No" cookie program began with Kroger, its representatives were trying to roll the program out across the country in various other markets.
