Tag: PR Newswire

TOKYO, April 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Clé de Peau Beauté announced the renewal of its three-year global partnership with UNICEF, marking a new phase of commitment to empower an additional 7.3 million girls. With a total pledge of US$17.4 million since 2019, this represents the largest private sector contribution to UNICEF’s Global Gender Equality Program that aims to accelerate positive change for adolescent girls. To date, the partnership has already supported 12.9 million girls worldwide, significantly surpassing the partnership’s original expectations.

With the renewal of its third term, programs supported by Clé de Peau Beauté will expand beyond a sole focus on STEM to place greater emphasis on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics), integrating art and creativity as complementary forces alongside science and technology. In Indonesia, for example, girls participating in project-based learning initiatives are already combining scientific knowledge with creative expression to develop innovative solutions to enhance climate resilience.

“Witnessing how this partnership has transformed the lives of the girls – inspiring confidence, creativity and new possibilities for their future – made the decision to renew our commitment an incredibly meaningful one,” said Naomi Kawanishi, Global Brand President of Clé de Peau Beauté. “We are particularly excited about the focus on STEAM, empowering girls not just with technical knowledge but with the creative confidence to become true innovators. This is how we help unlock their full potential.”

The renewal builds on the strong foundation of impactful programs with innovative STEM learning initiatives already providing a breadth of opportunities for girls through the partnership.

“UNICEF welcomes Clé de Peau Beauté’s continued leadership on gender equality and deep commitment to empowering girls,” said Carla Haddad Mardini, UNICEF’s Director of Private Sector Fundraising and Partnerships. “Our renewed partnership, and expanded focus on strengthening critical STEAM skills, is a powerful investment in girls as changemakers who have a powerful role to play in shaping our future.”

The Critical Need for Continued Investment^[1]

This renewed commitment comes at a crucial time. Globally, girls continue to face significant barriers to education and skills development. 122 million girls remain out of school, and nearly 40 percent of adolescent girls and young women do not complete upper secondary education. Girls are also underrepresented in STEM and digital fields, accounting for just 35 percent of STEM graduates and 3 percent of ICT graduates, while nearly 50 million girls lack basic literacy skills. In low-income countries, around 90 percent of girls remain offline, limiting access to learning and opportunity.

These challenges are driven by intersecting barriers – including harmful gender norms, child marriage, and unpaid care responsibilities – underscoring the critical need for sustained investment and gender-responsive approaches that enable girls to gain the skills and opportunities necessary to build their futures.

Through this renewed collaboration, Clé de Peau Beauté and UNICEF will continue working together to expand opportunities for girls worldwide and support the next generation in realizing their full potential.

Notes to Editors

About the Clé de Peau Beauté – UNICEF Partnership

Since 2019, Clé de Peau Beauté has partnered with UNICEF to support girls’ education, skills development and empowerment through the Skills4Girls initiative. The partnership focuses on expanding access to future-ready skills, including digital literacy, STEAM learning and life-skills programs, while addressing the social and structural barriers that limit girls’ opportunities.

About Clé de Peau Beauté

Clé de Peau Beauté, the global luxury brand from Shiseido Co Ltd, was founded in 1982 as the ultimate expression of elegance and science. Clé de Peau Beauté means the key to skin’s beauty. The philosophy of the brand is to unlock the power of a woman’s radiance by harnessing makeup technologies and advanced skincare from around the world. Forever guided by an exquisite aesthetic sensibility and intelligence, Clé de Peau Beauté has instilled its products with modernity, enchantment, and dynamism to emerge as an industry leader in delivering radiance so remarkable, it emanates from within. Available in 28 countries and regions worldwide.

Clé de Peau Beauté Official Website: https://www.cledepeau-beaute.com/global/

Clé de Peau Beauté for UNICEF Landing Page: https://www.cledepeau-beaute.com/global/cpb-for-unicef.html

Clé de Peau Beauté Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cledepeaubeaute/

Clé de Peau Beauté Official Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cledepeaubeaute 

About UNICEF

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. Visit https://www.unicef.org/

UNICEF does not endorse any company, brand, product, or service.

Translations in languages other than English and Japanese are provided for distribution convenience only.

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SOURCE Clé de Peau Beauté

Funding supports Green Means Go infrastructure across Sacramento County and senior housing at San Juan Apartments along Stockton Boulevard

SACRAMENTO, Calif., April 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Health Net, one of California’s most experienced Medi-Cal managed care health plans and a Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) company, today announced a $3 million investment in the Sacramento region to support housing stability and infrastructure, including partnerships with the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) and Mutual Housing California. The investment will help increase affordable housing and the infrastructure needed to support it in Sacramento County.

Health Net’s Sacramento investment includes:

• $2 million to SACOG to support infrastructure for at least 50 affordable housing units in Sacramento County through the Green Means Go infill accelerator program
• $1 million to Mutual Housing California to provide permanent affordable housing for over 100 seniors in the second phase of the San Juan Apartments

“At Health Net, we understand that where you live can directly impact your health,” said Amber Kemp, Vice President of Medi-Cal Strategy, Execution, and Engagement. “That’s why we’re investing in partnerships that bring together housing, infrastructure and community development. When we work with SACOG and Mutual Housing California, we’re helping build neighborhoods that support healthier lives—where families are safe, connected and can live healthier, fuller lives.”

$2 million for Green Means Go Infrastructure

SACOG’s Green Means Go program serves as a catalyst for cities and counties across the region to address the evolving challenge of reinvesting in urban cores and commercial corridors. The investments have helped add housing closer to where people work and shop to create a vibrant place to live and work, attracting new business and residents.

“This investment reflects the power of aligning housing and infrastructure to create lasting community impact,” said Patrick Kennedy, County Sacramento Supervisor and SACOG Board Member. “Through SACOG’s Green Means Go program, we were proud to support the first phase of Mutual Housing’s San Juan Apartments, creating needed affordable housing—bringing critical infrastructure to a project that will open in May 2026. With continued partnership and investments like this from Health Net, we’re building on that momentum to deliver more housing, better connectivity, and healthier communities across the region.”

$1 million for San Juan Apartments Phase Two

The investment will support the continued development of San Juan Apartments Phase Two, an expansion of affordable housing along the Stockton Boulevard corridor. The project is part of Mutual Housing California’s innovative approach to factory-built housing designed to serve seniors, delivering high-quality, affordable homes more efficiently while supporting older adults to age in stable, healthy environments.

“We’re incredibly grateful for Health Net’s partnership and their leadership in recognizing the powerful connection between health and housing,” said Craig Adelman, CEO of Mutual Housing California. “This investment is more than funding — it’s a shared commitment to creating healthier, more equitable communities. At San Juan Apartments Phase Two, we’re advancing a factory-built housing model designed to serve seniors with high-quality, stable, and affordable homes. By delivering housing more efficiently, we can reduce development costs while accelerating access to the kind of stable environments that lead to better health outcomes — fewer hospital visits, improved well-being, and greater independence for older adults. Health Net’s support allows us to scale this approach — expanding opportunity while ensuring more seniors can age with dignity in communities built for their long-term health.”

What’s Next

Partners will continue to advance planning and predevelopment work for San Juan Apartments Phase Two and support upcoming Green Means Go infrastructure activities across the region.

Together, these efforts demonstrate how cross-sector collaboration — linking healthcare, social services, housing, and infrastructure — can address drivers of health and strengthen community resilience.

About Health Net
Founded in California more than 45 years ago, Health Net, LLC (“Health Net”), a company of Centene Corporation, believes that every person deserves a safety net for their health, regardless of age, income, employment status or current state of health. Today, we provide health plans for individuals, families, businesses of every size and people who qualify for Medi-Cal or Medicare. With more than 117,000 of our network providers, Health Net serves more than three million members across the state. We also offer access to substance abuse programs, behavioral health services and managed healthcare products related to prescription drugs. We make these health plans and services available through Health Net and its subsidiaries: Health Net of California, Inc., Health Net Life Insurance Company and Health Net Community Solutions, Inc. These entities are wholly owned subsidiaries of Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC), a leading healthcare enterprise committed to transforming the health of the communities we serve, one person at a time. Health Net and Centene Corporation employ more than 5,700 people in California who work at one of five regional Talent Hub offices. For more information, visit www.HealthNet.com.

About Mutual Housing California
Mutual Housing California is a Sacramento-based nonprofit organization that develops, manages, and supports sustainable affordable housing where residents are partners in advancing equitable communities. Since its founding in 1988, Mutual Housing has honed its place-shaping strategies to foster inclusive neighborhoods that provide stable housing, resident services, and opportunities for people at all income levels to thrive.

About Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG)
The Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) is the regional planning agency for the six-county Sacramento region. SACOG works to advance transportation, land use, and infrastructure strategies that support economic vitality, environmental sustainability, and equitable access to opportunity. Through programs like Green Means Go, SACOG invests in infrastructure that enables new housing and more connected communities.

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SOURCE Health Net, LLC

SACRAMENTO, Calif., April 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) is warning that a proposed bill could add costly new requirements for advanced manufacturing, deterring investment in the high-cost state.

Just last year, California took steps to attract advanced manufacturing, recognizing the industry’s role in strengthening supply chains, driving innovation, and reducing emissions through in-state production.

Now, Senate Bill 954 (Blakespear, 2026) would push that progress in the opposite direction by adding new layers of approvals and costly requirements, narrowing build locations, and creating more uncertainty for companies looking to invest in California.

“California made a clear commitment to attract advanced manufacturing investment, and SB 954 sends the opposite message,” said Lance Hastings, President & CEO of CMTA. “Manufacturers need certainty. When the state adds new hurdles and changes the rules in such a short timeframe, companies will look to other states or countries where they can build faster and more affordably.”

Building a facility in California already requires navigating complex environmental, safety, and local approvals that can take years to complete. In industries like clean energy and technology, those delays can determine whether a project is built in California or elsewhere.

SB 954 increases the risk that companies delay, scale back, or move out of state.

Manufacturing makes California stronger. Careers in the industry provide strong wages and long-term opportunities. Beyond jobs, producing goods in California—where environmental and labor standards are among the highest in the world—results in significantly lower impacts than in many other states.

“When advanced manufacturing investment leaves California, it goes to states or countries that are more welcoming,” Hastings added. “That means fewer jobs here and often higher global emissions. If California wants to lead on climate and innovation, we should be making it easier to manufacture here. SB 954 moves us in the wrong direction.”

SB 954 passed out of the Senate Environmental Quality Committee on a 5-2 vote and now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee for consideration.

CMTA urges policymakers to maintain a stable business environment that supports advanced manufacturing investment, starting with rejecting SB 954.

About CMTA

CMTA has advocated for pro-growth laws and regulations since 1918. The total output from manufacturing in California is $382 billion per year, roughly 10% of the state’s GDP. Manufacturers employ 1.2 million Californians. For more, visit cmta.net.

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SOURCE California Manufacturers & Technology Association

Florida Crystals Corporation is proud of its more than 30-year role in the immensely successful public-private partnership that has restored America’s Everglades and for its part in helping accelerate the EAA Reservoir project.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., April 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Florida Crystals Corporation congratulates the State of Florida and Army Corps of Engineers for finalizing all contracts to build the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Reservoir.

“Florida Crystals has supported the EAA Reservoir since it was first authorized almost 30 years ago as part of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan,” said Pepe Fanjul, Jr., Co-President of Florida Crystals. “We advocated for the passage of CERP in 2000, and we’re extremely proud of the role we played to facilitate acceleration of the EAA Reservoir’s construction.”

In 2019, Florida Crystals voluntarily terminated leases early with the State of Florida and the South Florida Water Management District to make land available in the EAA Reservoir Project’s footprint to facilitate its expedited schedule, including terminating a lease early that had a term through 2045. Transitioning the farmland subject to those leases early to the government was pivotal to helping meet the reservoir’s 2029 completion goal.

“For decades, the EAA Reservoir has been hailed as the final and most important project to restore the southern Everglades, so this is a great moment for Everglades restoration,” said Gaston Cantens, Vice President of Florida Crystals. “We commend the Governor and the Army Corps for this milestone in finalizing Everglades restoration.”

The collaboration between EAA farmers, who have carried out the work on the ground, day-to-day for more than 30 years to supply clean water to the Everglades, and the government in the monumental task of restoring the Everglades is a model for the overwhelming success a public-private partnership can accomplish.

Florida Crystals is tremendously proud to be a part of the EAA farming community, a remarkable group of farmers who supply America with a secure, reliable, U.S.-grown source of sugar, rice, vegetables, fruits and more, while also preserving the Everglades. As part of the 1994 Everglades Forever Act, EAA farmers implemented a science-based Best Management Practices (BMPs) program to help restore the Everglades. EAA farmers have invested heavily in the on-farm BMPs and monitoring to ensure clean water flows south to the Everglades. Annual water data consistently show water leaving the EAA farming basin is cleaner than when EAA farms received it from Lake Okeechobee. EAA farmers – the largest private funders of Everglades restoration – also pay an Agricultural Privilege Tax, which has generated approximately $350 million to fund the construction of Everglades projects and contributes to ongoing operations and maintenance costs. EAA farmers, including Florida Crystals, have also given up more than 100,000 acres of the most productive farmland in the U.S. for restoration projects.

“We look forward to the EAA Reservoir coming online in a few short years, and we commend all the elected leaders, staff and the agricultural community over the past three decades who have worked together to make this goal a reality,” said Cantens.

About Florida Crystals Corporation
Florida Crystals Corporation is a vertically integrated cane sugar company that rotates sugarcane, rice and vegetables on more than 190,000 acres in South Florida, where it also owns two sugar mills, a sugar refinery, a packaging and distribution center, Florida’s only rice mill, and one of the largest renewable power plants of its kind in the U.S., which uses sugarcane fiber to generate eco-friendly energy that powers its sugar operations. Florida Crystals is Florida’s largest organic farmer and the only producer of Regenerative Organic Certified® sugar that is grown and milled in the U.S. and sold through the Florida Crystals® brand. Its subsidiary, ASR Group International, Inc., is the world’s largest cane sugar refining and marketing company and sells sugar under the Domino®, C&H®, Florida Crystals®, Redpath®, Tate & Lyle®, Lyle’s®, Sidul® and Whitworths® brands. It also owns Tellus Products, which makes single-use, compostable tableware products from plant fibers sold under the Tellus® brand. Florida Crystals Corporation and ASR Group International, Inc. are holding companies that conduct business through their subsidiaries and are headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida.

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SOURCE Florida Crystals Corporation

BELLINGHAM, Wash., April 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Lautenbach Recycling will celebrate Earth Day Wednesday, April 22nd with a ribbon cutting at 3:30 p.m. and a community open house from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at its new facility at 2885 E. Bakerview Road in Bellingham.

This event marks a major milestone for the company as it expands its operations to better serve Whatcom County. For years, many Bellingham residents and businesses have lacked a convenient local option for recycling construction and demolition materials and other valuable resources. The new facility directly addresses that need by accepting wood, metal, cardboard, and other commodities that might otherwise end up in landfills.

Developed in collaboration with local partners and organizations, Lautenbach’s Bakerview location makes recycling easier, more accessible, and more effective for the entire community.

Guests attending the event will have the opportunity to tour the facility, meet members of the Lautenbach Recycling team, and learn more about the how the company’s advances landfill diversion and sustainable materials recovery across Northwest Washington.

“Our goal has always been to make recycling more accessible while reducing the amount of material that ends up in landfills,” said Troy Lautenbach, President of Lautenbach Recycling. “Opening the Bellingham facility allows us to better serve the community and increase our success recovering valuable materials that can be reused.”

“Earth Day is the perfect opportunity to bring people together to see firsthand how local businesses and residents are working together to responsibly manage our resources,” Lautenbach said.

Lautenbach Recycling operates facilities in San Juan, Mount Vernon, and Bellingham, providing construction and demolition recycling, organics management, container services, and specialized hauling throughout the region.

Light refreshments will be provided during the event, and local leaders, community partners, and businesses will attend as the company celebrates the opening of its newest location.

“Recycling is ultimately a community effort,” Lautenbach added. “The more people understand how it works and participate in it, the greater the impact we can have together.”

For more information, visit www.lautenbachrecycling.com or contact the team directly to learn how Tony and the Lautenbach team can support your recycling goals.

Lautenbach Recycling is the largest family-owned recycling company in Washington State, founded in 1991 by brothers Troy and Torrey Lautenbach. Committed to responsible waste management and environmental sustainability, Lautenbach Recycling provides comprehensive services to residential and commercial clients in the Pacific Northwest. Our residential and industrial services include transportation, sustainable demolition, self-haul recycling, roll-off boxes, food waste depackaging, and composting. Lautenbach Recycling contributes to a greener future by efficiently processing and reusing materials, thereby conserving valuable resources and protecting our environment. As a family-owned and operated business, we take pride in our deep-rooted community values and strive to make a positive impact on our region. https://www.lautenbachrecycling.com

Lautenbach’s Family of Recycling Businesses includes:

• Skagit Soils – Providing green and organic waste composting services https://skagitsoilsinc.com
   
• San Juan Transfer Station – Recycling and garbage drop-off services for Friday Harbor and San Juan Island https://sanjuantransferstation.com
   
• NWR Container Rentals – Selling and Renting Storage Containers, Mobile Offices and Steel Road Plates: https://nwrcontainers.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lautenbach-recycling-to-celebrate-earth-day-with-grand-opening-of-bellingham-facility-302740212.html

SOURCE Lautenbach Recycling

KANSAS CITY, Mo., April 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Sun Life U.S. has renewed its partnership with the Kansas City Royals for 5 years, through the 2030 baseball season. The partnership, which first began in 2017, allows Sun Life to continue building on previous community programming, including youth fitness and oral health programs and fundraising to support local non-profits in Kansas City.

“We are pleased to renew our partnership with the Royals and find new ways to make a positive impact in Kansas City,” said David Healy, president, Sun Life U.S. “We have a large office here and believe strongly in supporting the communities where our employees live and work, particularly in ways that benefit those in need. We are hopeful that our work with the Royals and our focus on improving the oral health of all will resonate with the Kansas City community and create excitement among the great fan base.”

With this new agreement, Sun Life and the Royals will collaborate with TeamSmile, a national non-profit that leverages relationships with sports teams and universities to hold large-scale dental clinics for local kids from underserved communities. Sun Life supports TeamSmile events across the country and helped launch the Dental Home Project, which establishes relationships for underserved youth with local dentists.

Throughout the baseball season, Sun Life and the Royals will conduct the “Every Single Smile” campaign, which will generate a $50 donation from Sun Life to TeamSmile for each Royals single during the regular season. The Royals and Sun Life will also host an additional TeamSmile clinic this fall, increasing access to oral healthcare for local children in need.

“We’re proud to continue our partnership with Sun Life and build on the meaningful work we’ve accomplished together over the past several years,” said Alex Schulte, vice president of Corporate Partnerships, Kansas City Royals. “Their commitment to improving the health and well-being of our community aligns closely with our values, and we’re excited to keep working together to make a lasting impact across Kansas City.”

First signing on as a Royals sponsor in 2017 Sun Life and The Kansas City Royals Foundation have run annual health clinics for local youth, and the season-long #StrikeoutDiabetes fundraising campaign to support health programs at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City. The agreement with the Royals also gives Sun Life top-tier game experience and hosting opportunities. Sun Life is also a sponsor and partner of the Boston Celtics and Maine Celtics.

Click here to learn more about Sun Life’s philanthropic partnerships and programming.

About Sun Life
Sun Life is a leading international financial services organization providing asset management, wealth, insurance and health solutions to individual and institutional Clients. Sun Life has operations in a number of markets worldwide, including Canada, the U.S., the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of December 31, 2025, Sun Life had total assets under management of C$1.60 trillion. For more information, please visit www.sunlife.com.

Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the ticker symbol SLF.

Sun Life U.S. is one of the largest providers of employee and government benefits, helping approximately 48 million Americans access the care and coverage they need. Through employers, industry partners and government programs, Sun Life U.S. offers a portfolio of benefits and services, including dental, vision, disability, absence management, life, supplemental health, medical stop-loss insurance, and healthcare navigation. Sun Life employs nearly 8,300 people in the U.S., including associates in our partner dental practices and affiliated companies in asset management. Group insurance policies are issued by Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada (Wellesley Hills, Mass.), except in New York, where policies are issued by Sun Life and Health Insurance Company (U.S.) (Lansing, Mich.). For more information visit our website and newsroom.

Media contacts

Devon Fernald
Sun Life U.S.
Devon.Portney.Fernald@sunlife.com
781-800-3609

Connect with Sun Life U.S.

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SOURCE Sun Life U.S.

Fast‑casual brand to celebrate the grand opening of its third restaurant in Lee County on April 29, featuring a year of free chicken salad for guests

ATLANTA, April 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Chicken Salad Chick, the nation’s only fast casual chicken salad restaurant concept, announced today the opening of a brand-new restaurant in Lee County, Florida, located at 1206 Solaris Drive in Cape Coral. The new location features a convenient drive-thru, and the local community is invited to celebrate its grand opening on Wednesday, April 29, when the first 100 guests in line will win free chicken salad for a year*. 

During the grand opening week, guests can expect to experience the Southern hospitality Chicken Salad Chick is known for while taking advantage of various specials and giveaways. These include:

• Wednesday, April 29 – Free Chicken Salad for a Year to the First 100 Guests – The first guest in line at 10am will receive one FREE large Quick Chick of chicken salad per week for an entire year. The next 99 guests in line will receive one FREE large Quick Chick of chicken salad per month for a year.*
• Thursday, April 30 – The first 50 guests to purchase an entree with two sides will receive a FREE Teal Chick Cooler!**
• Friday, May 1 – The first 50 guests to purchase an entree with two sides will receive a FREE Navy Canvas Tote Bag!**
• Saturday, May 2 – The first 50 guests to purchase an entree with two sides will receive a FREE Teal Stainless Steel Tumbler!**
• Monday, May 4 – The first 50 guests to make a $12 purchase will win a FREE Scoop Bounceback Card!***

Chicken Salad Chick of Cape Coral is owned and operated by multi-unit franchise owners, Scott Pace and Kendal Potesta. The husband-and-wife duo opened their first Chicken Salad Chick back in 2022 in Fort Myers and have since opened up two more locations in Southwest Florida, including Estero and Port Charlotte. Cape Coral will mark their fourth location to open. Potesta grew up in the restaurant industry, while Pace brings a strong financial background from his years working on Wall Street. Together, their business experience and shared passion for “Spreading Joy, Enriching Lives, and Serving Others” helps them deliver outstanding customer service at each of their restaurants.

“Our love for Chicken Salad Chick began during a special time in our lives – when Kendal was expecting our first child. Chicken salad was one of the only foods she craved, so Chicken Salad Chick quickly became part of our routine after her appointments,” said Scott Pace, co-owner of Chicken Salad Chick Cape Coral. “Before long, we were inspired to open locations of our own and are so grateful to everyone who has been part of our entrepreneurial journey. We can’t wait to serve fresh, flavorful food with a side of warm hospitality to the Cape Coral community soon.”

Chicken Salad Chick is known for its dozen-plus variety of made-from-scratch chicken salad flavors, fresh sides, gourmet soups, signature sandwiches, and desserts. The new Cape Coral restaurant offers in-restaurant, drive-thru, take-out, third-party delivery, and catering options.

“We’re excited to continue expanding Chicken Salad Chick’s presence in Florida alongside Scott and Kendal,” said Scott Deviney, president and CEO of Chicken Salad Chick. “Cape Coral is a vibrant, fast growing, and family-friendly city that’s well-suited for our brand. Scott and Kendal are also the perfect partners to lead our growth in Southwest Florida. We’re confident their strong leadership skills, deep business expertise, and genuine love for The Chick will soon make the Cape Coral restaurant a beloved part of the community.”

Giving back to the community is an important focus for the Cape Coral team and the Chicken Salad Chick brand, which established the CSC Foundation to support CURE Childhood Cancer and local food banks with fundraisers throughout the year. As part of pre-opening Friends & Family events in Cape Coral, the restaurant will be raising money for Barbara’s Friends at Golisano’s Children Hospital, which is the childhood cancer fund that provides aid for patients and their families in Southwest Florida.

Chicken Salad Chick of Cape Coral will be open Monday – Saturday from 10am – 8pm. For more information on giveaways and specials, visit the Cape Coral restaurant’s Facebook. Visit www.chickensaladchick.com, and follow Chicken Salad Chick on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news and trends.  

*Guests should arrive early to secure a place in line. The first 100 guests must remain in line and download the Chicken Salad Chick app. Wi-Fi will not be available on site. Once the restaurant opens, guests will make a purchase of an entree with one side, or anything of equal/greater value and enter a code in the Chicken Salad Chick app to officially secure their spot. If you leave the line for any reason, your spot will be awarded to the next guest in line. Guests will receive their first free large Quick Chick electronically to their app the Monday following Grand Opening Day. Your reward will be valid for redemption for 30 days upon delivery. Guest must be 16 years or older. Not valid with any other offers. Limit 1 reward per guest present.

**Guest must be 16 years or older and purchase an entree with two sides. Limit 1 reward per guest present. Not valid with any other offers. In-restaurant only.

***Guest must be 16 years or older and make a $12 minimum purchase. Limit 1 reward per guest present. Not valid with any other offers. In-restaurant only.

About Chicken Salad Chick   
Chicken Salad Chick serves full-flavored, Southern-style chicken salad made from scratch and served from the heart. With more than a dozen original chicken salad flavors plus fresh sides, soups, sandwiches, desserts and catering, there’s something for every guest and occasion. Chicken Salad Chick has grown to more than 330 restaurants across 22 states and continues its rapid expansion driven by a passionate network of franchise owners. The brand has earned consistent recognition from Entrepreneur, Franchise Times, Fast Casual, QSR, Southern Living and Technomic, among others. Visit chickensaladchick.com to learn more.

Contact:
Nayelis Bosa
Tidehouse
954-893-9150
nbosa@tidehouseagency.com

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SOURCE Chicken Salad Chick

Selected small businesses pitch U.S.-made products to Walmart during the Road to Open Call event for a chance to advance to Open Call

ORLANDO, Fla., April 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Walmart and the Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando will host the 2026 Walmart Road to Open Call pitch event on May 21, 2026, in Orlando, giving selected small businesses the opportunity to present their American-made, shelf-ready products directly to Walmart. The Orlando stop is the only Road to Open Call event in Florida in 2026 and is part of a nationwide series designed to support small business growth, expand supplier assortment, and strengthen U.S. manufacturing.

Walmart’s Open Call is one of the company’s largest sourcing events for products made, grown, or assembled in the United States. The Road to Open Call series connects entrepreneurs with Walmart’s sourcing team and provides resources to support supplier growth ahead of the annual Open Call event in Bentonville, Arkansas.

Applications are open through May 1, 2026, at 10:00 p.m. EST at www.Walmart.com/RoadToOpenCall. Each selected entrepreneur will receive personalized feedback and mentorship from Walmart, and may also receive a Fast Pass to Walmart’s Open Call for the opportunity to pitch their products directly to Walmart merchants.

“The Road to Open Call provides a powerful platform for small businesses to gain valuable resources to help scale their businesses,” said Mark Espinoza, Senior Director of Public Affairs at Walmart. “By connecting entrepreneurs directly with our teams, we’re helping bring innovative, U.S.-made products to customers while supporting American jobs and local economies.”

“We are proud to partner with Walmart for the second consecutive year and to bring this opportunity to the business community,” said Pedro Turushina, President & CEO of the Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando. “This initiative not only supports entrepreneurs but also strengthens our local economy by helping small businesses access national retail opportunities.”

Since launching in 2014, Walmart’s Open Call has helped hundreds of small businesses become Walmart suppliers, fueling local economies and driving innovation.

MEDIA CONTACT: Mercedes S. | publicrelations@hispanicchamber.com

Photo available HERE. More assets available upon request.

For more information, visit www.hispanicchamber.com or https://corporate.walmart.com.

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SOURCE Walmart and the Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando

TYGES International releases a state-by-state analysis of BCBA workforce shortages exposing a nationwide autism care crisis and calls for urgent action.

WILLIAMSBURG, Va., Apr. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Across the U.S., families with autistic children are waiting months for ABA therapy — not because services don’t exist, but because there aren’t enough Board-Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) to provide them. Families encounter empty waiting lists, hundred-mile drives, and in many cases, no qualified provider at all within reach. These communities have a name: ABA care deserts. And they are far more widespread than most people realize.

The Numbers: A Shortage of Historic Proportions

TYGES International’s behavioral health practice published a first-of-its-kind state-by-state analysis of BCBA workforce distribution, drawing on BACB certification data, CDC autism prevalence figures, and U.S. Census estimates. Download the report to discover the stark findings:

• 74,286 BCBAs currently practicing in the U.S.
• ~362,500 needed to meet conservative demand
• ~288,000 estimated shortage
• 1 in 31 children identified with autism spectrum disorder (CDC, 2022)
• ~2.9 million children and young adults under 21 are estimated to be on the autism spectrum

The state-by-state picture is equally alarming. Wyoming has just 7.5 BCBAs per 100,000 residents. Mississippi: 8.1. Montana: 8.5. Massachusetts leads at 55.1, nearly seven times more than the worst-served states. Even well-ranked states mask access gaps, as BCBAs cluster in urban centers while rural families go without care. Simply put, the United States has approximately five times fewer BCBAs than needed (under a conservative planning scenario of 8 clients per clinician).

“The map of autism care in this country doesn’t match where children actually live. We have pockets of access and vast stretches of nothing. That’s not a gap — it’s a system failure,” says Carol Zimmerman, Director of Behavioral Health Practice, TYGES International. 

Closing the gap requires expanding BCBA training pipelines, improving clinician compensation and sustainability, removing telehealth policy barriers, and deploying specialized behavioral health recruiting to match talent to the communities that need it most. TYGES International’s behavioral health practice exists precisely for this purpose; placing qualified BCBAs in ABA clinics and autism service organizations nationwide.

Why This Matters

Early, intensive ABA therapy is among the most evidence-based treatments available for autism spectrum disorder. The research is clear: intervention during early childhood produces significantly better long-term outcomes in communication, adaptive behavior, and quality of life. Every month a child spends on a waiting list is a month inside that critical developmental window, gone.

Burnout, low reimbursement rates, and unsustainable caseloads are also pushing qualified clinicians out of direct practice. The TYGES analysis identifies these structural barriers as compounding factors that keep BCBA jobs unfilled even in communities with documented shortages. 

What Must Change

“This isn’t a problem we can train our way out of alone. Compensation must reflect the complexity of this work, telehealth policies need to be reviewed and encouraged in care deserts, and organizations need recruiting partners who know how to place clinicians where families are waiting. All these levers must move at the same time,” says Zimmerman.

Expand training pipelines. Graduate programs, universities, and healthcare systems must increase BCBA training capacity and reduce the financial barriers to supervised fieldwork hours.

1. Improve compensation and sustainability. Competitive pay, manageable caseloads, and strong clinical supervision infrastructure are essential to keeping BCBAs in the field.
2. Remove telehealth barriers. Policy reform allowing broader telehealth delivery of ABA services can extend BCBA reach into rural and underserved areas where in-person providers simply don’t exist.
3. Invest in targeted recruitment. Specialized search partners who understand behavioral health can connect qualified BCBAs to the clinics and communities that need them most, including the states at the bottom of the per-capita rankings.

About the Research

The TYGES International care desert analysis draws on data from the BACB, CDC, U.S. Census Bureau, and peer-reviewed ABA workforce research. The full report, including state-by-state tables, charts, and source citations, is publicly available at tyges.com.

TYGES International is a national executive search firm specializing in manufacturing, engineering, and supply chain recruiting, and behavioral health staffing with a focus on ABA therapy and BCBA placement. Learn more.

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SOURCE TYGES

Milestone Solidifies Company’s Capabilities to Create Scalable, Commercial Supply of Real Cocoa Butter

TEL AVIV, Israel and NEW YORK, April 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Today Celleste Bio™ unveiled the world’s first milk chocolate bars made with real cocoa butter using cell suspension culture technology. This is a critical achievement for the cocoa tech leader in accelerating its capabilities to build a scalable, commercially viable cocoa supply.

The cocoa butter was used by Mondelēz International, Celleste’s strategic partner, to create a nearly a dozen chocolate bars that met the integrity and consumption standards for its products.

This milestone demonstrates Celleste’s cell cultured ingredients are bio-identical to conventionally grown cocoa – meaning they deliver the same texture, melt profile and sensory experience, and sets the stage for scaling production to market ready quantities within the next two years.

“Celleste launched in 2022 with the mission to secure a sustainable future for the global chocolate industry amidst increasing supply chain pressures of climate change, disease, traceability and geopolitical instability,” said Michal Beressi Golomb, CEO, Celleste Bio. “In three years we’ve made unprecedented progress to meet this formidable scientific challenge. We’ve validated our ingredients as drop-in replacements, created an operational R&D pilot facility to scale up our volumes and now proven our cocoa butter performs identically to conventional cocoa, clearing the next phase to commercial scale.”

Celleste is also poised to change the dynamic of the chocolate market. Its model is designed to leverage AI computational modeling to customize cocoa butter to customer specifications – such as higher melting points and taste experiences – that can allow manufacturers to uplevel their innovation and competitive advantage.

Celleste’s Chief Technical and Scientific Officer Hanne Volpin, PhD underscores the environmental upside of using cell cultured technology to supplement traditional growing methods.

“Building a resilient supply chain means being able to produce at commercial volumes while offsetting disruptions caused by climate change, deforestation and resource scarcity,” says Volpin. “We are on track to produce 1 ton of cocoa butter annually in a 1000 liter bioreactor from a single bean – which would otherwise require about a hectare of cocoa trees. To that end, we’ve curated a very robust bank of multiple cocoa bean varietals we can use to grow, test and scale material without ever having to cut down a single tree in the rainforest.”

To date, Celleste Bio has raised $5.6 million, including Mondelēz International as a strategic and design partner, along with Supply Change Capital, Trendlines, Barrel Ventures and non-dilutive grants.

About Celleste Bio
Celleste Bio is a food technology company developing cocoa ingredients through proprietary cell suspension culture technology. The company’s patented platform produces chocolate-grade cocoa butter that is bio-identical to conventionally sourced cocoa butter, offering a drop-in replacement that preserves the quality and functionality that chocolate makers and consumers depend on. Celleste is committed to building a more resilient, sustainable, and traceable future for chocolate lovers and the industry.

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SOURCE Celleste Bio