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The Dish on Today's Get Togethers - What's the Buzz? ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., May 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Despite a culture of plugged-in, electronic relationships, U.S. adults in large numbers report they are rejecting isolation to reconnect with friends and family again. According to The Country Crock(R) Deluxe Side Dishes "Dish on Get Togethers" survey, three out of four Americans (76%) are socializing at home -- playing board games and charades, gossiping, pursuing hobbies together, and having friends over to watch TV. According to the survey, conducted by Harris Interactive, nearly six in ten Americans (57%) share time at least once a month with family and friends. Younger Americans, 18 - 44 years old, are driving the trend to reconnect -- nearly seven in ten are socializing at least once a month (67%). Among those 18 - 34, more than three in ten (31%) get together several times a week or more. That's What Friends Are For Friends come before family say U.S. adults. We want to see friends more than our immediate or extended families (62%, 57% and 24% respectively). In large numbers we are also socializing with co-workers outside the workplace (67% for men, 55% for women). "We are making time for friends and family again," said Jeanne Benedict, author and host /designer of the TV theme party show, "Weekend Entertaining." "We want to slow down, relax, and enjoy our time together, without spending hours prepping in the kitchen." As Americans entertain at home, it's no surprise that half of those surveyed (50%) say they are looking for faster food preparation so they can spend more time with friends and family. "Serving wholesome, easy-to-prepare dishes like those offered by Country Crock Deluxe Side Dishes allows party hosts to save time getting ready for their get togethers, while giving their guests the taste of homemade," says Ms. Benedict. The Country Crock Deluxe Side Dishes "Dish on Get Togethers" survey, conducted online among 2,758 U.S. adults, 18 years of age and older, was commissioned to determine trends on get togethers and social networking. Friends and Family Around the Tube The data reports television has become a social medium. American Idol wins as the most popular show to get together to watch (24%), followed by Grey's Anatomy (19%), CSI (18%) and 24 (14%). Among comedies, Family Guy, The Simpsons and South Park are the favorites. Most Wanted Guests Will Smith, George Clooney and Barack Obama are the three men we most want at our next gathering (24%, 23%, and 20% respectively); President Bush finished fourth (19%). Ellen, Oprah, and Julia Roberts are the top women (28%, 27%, 18%). Women want to talk most to George Clooney (38%), while men most want to spend time with Oprah (22%). What's A Get Together Without Food? "As people make more time for friends and put more time into relationships, food is the centerpiece of the new social connection," said Ms. Benedict. "Getting together with friends and family offers a balance to our hectic world. People are looking to reconnect with others and get more involved in their networks." More than four in ten surveyed, say friends and families are increasingly bringing food to their social gatherings. Side dishes are the most popular contribution (29%), followed by appetizers (27%) and entrees (11%). Side dishes are particularly popular among Americans over 50 (38%), and friends and family gathering in the South (33%). Friends and family are also contributing drinks (38%), including alcoholic beverages (28%) and soft drinks or coffee (18%). When is comes to entertaining at home, four in ten women say convenience is king -- shorter meal prep and easier clean up are important. "Country Crock chilled side dishes can provide a simple, easy-to-prepare home style dish ideal for serving during meal-sharing get togethers," said Ms. Benedict. "The side meals are based on difficult to prepare recipes that have been turned into hassle-free, fully prepared dishes that can be ready in minutes." So What's the Dish at Get Togethers? According to the survey, when we get together we share gossip and talk about our children (16%), our communities (12%), politics (10%), relationships (9%, 15% among women), movies or TV (8%), and our work (7%). Sex (2%), religion (2%) and safety/security (1%) are among the least topics at get togethers. We share time together watching TV (41%), playing games like cards or charades (39%), reuniting with family (39%), playing sports (22%), pursuing interests like a book or dinner club, or hobbies like scrapbooking or knitting (26%). Country Crock's Deluxe Side Dish varieties include Loaded Mashed Potatoes, Scalloped Potatoes, Cheddar Broccoli Rice and the classic Macaroni & Cheese. These hassle free, fully-prepared sides are refrigerated, never frozen, and ready to heat and serve in just five minutes. Country Crock Side Dishes come packaged in 21-24 ounce reusable tubs with lids (approximately four servings per container) and are found in the refrigerated meat or deli sections of supermarkets nationwide. About Unilever Unilever (NYSE:UL)(NYSE:UN), one of the world's largest consumer products companies, aims to add vitality to life by meeting everyday needs for nutrition, hygiene and personal care. Each day, around the world, consumers make 150 million decisions to purchase Unilever products. The company has a portfolio of brands that make people feel good, look good and get more out of life. In the United States these brands include recognized names such as: Axe, "all," Ben & Jerry's, Bertolli, Breyers, Caress, Country Crock, Degree, Dove personal care products, Hellmann's, Lipton, Knorr, Popsicle, Promise, Q-Tips, Skippy, Slim-Fast, Snuggle, Suave and Vaseline. All of the preceding brand names are registered trademarks of the Unilever Group of Companies. Dedicated to serving consumers and the communities where we live, work and play, Unilever in the United States employs approximately 15,000 people in 66 office and manufacturing sites in 24 states and Puerto Rico- generating more than $9 billion in sales in 2005. For more information, visit http://www.unileverusa.com/. Contact: Kristen Ryan M Booth & Associates 212/481-7000 ext. 3225 DATASOURCE: The Country Crock(R) Deluxe Sides Dishes CONTACT: Kristen Ryan of M Booth & Associates, +1-212-481-7000 ext. 3225, for The Country Crock(R) Deluxe Sides Dishes Web site: http://www.unileverusa.com/

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