Mixing MADD's alcohol-free drinks with cheese

A grocery chain and a groupfighting drunk driving have joined forces in a promotional campaign that pairs alcohol-free drinks and fine cheeses.

Mothers Against Drunk Drivingand Coleman'shope to steer people away from drinking and driving over the holiday season.

They'reencouraging people to socialize, not withbooze, butwine-like beverages.

"There are threeoptions available. We have ared, a white and a sparkling one hundredper cent alcohol free," saidPatriciaHynes-Coatesof Conception Bay South,president of MADD Canada.

"It'sdelicious and it goes fantastic with cheese," she added.

"So if you were having a baby shower oryou want tohave supper, and you want to provide wine with your meal, this will provide a non-alcoholic option so you don't have to worry about your guests becoming impaired and getting behind the wheel and driving while impaired."

MADDbelieves itfound its perfect pairing with Coleman's a perfect match like wine and cheese.

You don't have to worry about your guests becoming impaired and getting behind the wheel.- Patricia Hynes-Coates

"Safe driving is something we look forward to promoting and Mother's Against Drunk Driving are great people for Coleman's to pair up with," said Corey Conrad, manager of Coleman's Mount Pearl.

Eleven Coleman's stores in theprovince held a cheese feast to promoteMADD'salcohol-free products by offering free cheese samples.

Customers got to samplesmoked applewood,Irish porter cheese and goat cheese topped with jalapeno jello and Purity blueberry jam.

Message remains the same

With the holiday season approaching, Hynes-Coates accepts that people want to have a drink and socialize, but encourages people to offer drinks without alcohol.

If you're going to have a designated driver... they don't want to feel like they're left out of the party.- PatriciaHynes-Coates

"If you're going to have a designated driver, and if they don't want to feel like they're left out of the party,purchase them the MADD wine or the MADD beer so that they feel like they're still part of the party. And they're not consuming any amount of alcohol," she said.

MADDCanada sells non-alcoholic beverages in Coleman's stores and liquor stores across the province. A portion of the sales goes back to the provincial chapter. It's a nation-wide campaign.

"Five per cent of the sales go back to MADD Canada, and a portion goes to the designated chapters," said Hynes-Coates. "MADD Newfoundland did extremely well with it in 2015."