Lifeway Foods Celebrates June 18 as National Kefir Day
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MORTON GROVE, Ill., June 16, 2025 ~ Chicago, IL - Lifeway Foods, Inc. (NASDAQ: LWAY), a leading supplier of kefir and fermented probiotic products in the United States, has announced the launch of National Kefir Day. This new holiday will be celebrated annually on June 18th and aims to recognize the cultural and nutritional impact of kefir while honoring Lifeway's nearly 40-year legacy of promoting gut health and wellness in America.

The official proclamation for National Kefir Day will take place at a press event outside the Illinois Medical District in Chicago, where Lifeway was founded. The event will feature speeches from key leaders in government, medicine, and nutrition, including Julie Smolyansky, President and CEO of Lifeway Foods and a graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago; Illinois State Senator Willie Preston; Cook County Commissioner Josina Morita; Allyson Hansen, Executive Director of the Illinois Medical District; and Dr. Shikha Jain, an oncologist and faculty member at the University of Illinois Cancer Center.

The event will begin at 10:00am CT at either 1900 W Harrison St (outdoors) or 2100 W Harrison St (indoors) in case of rain. Ms. Smolyansky will kick off the day with remarks on medical advancements in gut health and kefir's role in supporting immunity, inflammation response, and overall wellness. The event will also highlight the growing connection between the gut microbiome and chronic disease prevention.

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"National Kefir Day is more than just a date, it's a movement," said Julie Smolyansky. "For nearly four decades, Lifeway has been at the forefront of bringing kefir to American homes. This proclamation solidifies our commitment to promoting gut health, sustainability, and mindful nutrition. We're thrilled to mark this occasion with the city of Chicago where our journey began."

Ms. Smolyansky's father started making kefir in their basement, driven by the belief that food can heal. What started as a small family dream has now become a global gut health phenomenon. Lifeway has been a leader in the probiotic beverage industry through groundbreaking research, innovative product development, and consumer education.

Lifeway Kefir is made with 12 live and active probiotic cultures and is loaded with protein, calcium, and essential vitamins, offering powerful support for gut and immune health. Ms. Smolyansky will also be a keynote speaker at The Wall Street Journal's Global Food Forum on June 17th at 11:45am CT, where she will discuss the rapid growth of Lifeway Foods and the brand's dominant leadership in the kefir category. During the event, she will unveil plans for a voluntary new certification that aims to create a new model of trust and transparency in the dairy marketplace.

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To celebrate National Kefir Day, free Lifeway Kefir samples will be distributed on Wednesday, June 18th at iconic locations in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, and Miami. Additionally, on June 18th, Lifeway will hand out free kefir from their home office in Morton Grove, IL and facility in Waukesha, WI. To keep the festivities going, Lifeway will sponsor a drone show over Lake Michigan on the evening of June 20th to honor Chicago as the "Kefir Capital of the World" and showcase images from the company's history.

In honor of their nearly four decades of promoting gut health leadership, Lifeway is inviting their most passionate fans to make it permanent. As part of the National Kefir Day celebrations, the company is launching a tattoo challenge where fans can show their lifelong love for Lifeway by getting a tattoo inspired by their favorite product or related to gut health. Those who participate can share a photo or video of their tattoo on Instagram or TikTok, tag @lifewaykefir, and use the hashtag #LifewayLovesYourGuts for a chance to win a year of free kefir.

National Kefir Day is not only a celebration of Lifeway's success but also a reflection of the growing cultural shift towards embracing the power of fermented foods for better health. With this new holiday, Lifeway hopes to continue promoting gut health and wellness for years to come.
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