Florida. 1964. A bright, sunny day.
Howard Dick and Phillip Grinnell, two friends who worked together at a juice company, were taking a walk
along the beach one picture-perfect sunny summer morning. Sunshine is not a stranger to the Florida
shoreline. Active kids, family, fun, sunshine, the beach.
Seeing the light.
“Do your kids like orange juice?” Howard asked. “Not really,” replied Phil. “Neither does
mine,” Howard observed. “How hard is it to make an orange drink that doesn't leave you
(pardon the expression) thirsting for something better?” “Ha,” Phil laughed. “Why don't
we?” said Howard. “Make something better?” That morning was the dawn of a new drink.
Science meets the sun.
So Phil and Howard put together a Mission Statement that had very specific product
demands. This beverage must feel as if it came from Florida. So: citrusy. Next, take
out what kids hate about orange juice, i.e. pulp, too tart. And put in what kids love:
sweet taste, chuggability and smooth
texture. What would sunshine
in a bottle taste like?
Hold everything!
Howard wanted to create a bottle worthy of the wonderful new orange drink that would go inside of it.
So no more heavy glass or paper cartons that leak.
He tinkered, and planned, and rejiggered, and
invented something better. A blow-molded plastic
container that kept things fresh and delicious in
the refrigerator. It was lightweight, unbreakable and, yes, leak proof.
By the C, by the C.
Sunny D had something else that orange juice was recognized for: Vitamin C.
A full day's supply. It wasn't soda, admittedly tasty but a nutritional wasteland,
and it wasn't orange juice, nutritious but not appealing to most kids. Instead
Sunny D gave kids a tangy, delicious drink they enjoyed, while providing
vitamins moms wanted their kids to have.
A “sunny” mom is fun to find.
SunnyD moms were fun moms, in addition to being good moms. And they felt
good to steer their children down the right path; active, fit and most of all happy.
Sunny Delight became synonymous with happy, fun, sunny days.
A bottle of sunshine.
It was as if Sunny Delight had captured the vitality of the sun in a bottle. Every sip promised that it could be
summer forever and that children would always be young and happy. This rich citrus punch became linked
with the warm, summery colors of orange and yellow and the cool colors of the water and sky.
Forecast: Very sunny.
The attractions of Sunny Delight quickly spilled over from Florida to the
southeast and then all over the country. Today, wherever you hear the
unmistakably exuberant sound of active kids, you'll find Sunny D. Not
only do kids and their moms think that SunnyD is out of this world, but
itʼs also found all over the world. Well, at least in Canada, England,
France, Spain, and more countries to come. Somehow this summery
blend of 5 fruit flavors delivered much more than a refreshing drink. It delivered
harmony, happiness, and delight. And that's exactly what Howard and Phil had in mind.
Spreading the sunshine.
SunnyD is dedicated to developing products and programs that will delight kids and families. We will continue to search for new and exciting flavors as well as ways to use less sugar and improve the nutritional
benefits of our products. We also want to encourage balance for kids and families beyond our products.
SunnyD has introduced MOVE. LAUGH. THINK. that promotes healthy physical, social and scholastic
development. Found on our website and in our marketing programs,
MOVE. LAUGH. THINK. has innovative and inspiring ways for
kids to use their bodies and minds. As long as the spirit of
Howard and Phil live on, there will always be something
new under the sun from SunnyD.