HI-CHEW has entered a three-year partnership deal with Duke University Athletics, becoming the first "Official Fruit Chew of Duke Athletics."

HI-CHEW will host on-site activations and product sampling for all Blue Devil fans during select home games. During each basketball, football, lacrosse, and baseball home game, fans should be on the lookout for HI-CHEW on the big screen, as well as LED signage throughout the fields.

Participants in the kid reporter program can join in on the fun, as HI-CHEW will be the presenting sponsor of this program. The brand will also attend two athletic events each calendar year to hand out samples, swag and more.

"We are thrilled to partner with Duke Athletics and bring HI-CHEW's fun brand experience to the Blue Devil fans," said Noriyuki Nishikawa, CEO of Morinaga America Foods Incorporated. "HI-CHEW's first American production facility was opened in Mebane, North Carolina in 2015, so this partnership also serves as a further extension of our commitment to continue to engage the local community."

North Carolina has a strong industrial history with a growing workforce, making it an ideal location to produce the chewy, fruity candy. The 100,435-sq.-ft. factory in Mebane was opened to help keep up with the growing demand for HI-CHEW in the U.S. The factory is in close proximity to Duke University and currently employs 220 people and produces more than 5 million chewlets a day.