ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. – The Tampa Bay Rays and Kayem Foods Inc. have announced a new multi-year sponsorship and licensing agreement to manufacture and distribute the Kayem Beef Hot Dog at Rays games, and make Kayem Franks the Official Hot Dog and Sausage of the Tampa Bay Rays and Tropicana Field.

As a result, Kayem will introduce new and improved products at Tropicana Field on Opening Day 2010, including the Kayem Beef Hot Dog, Kayem Footlong Beef Hot Dog, Kayem Beef Kids Dog and Kayem Italian Sausage. Select products will also appear in retail stores, with new packaging, throughout Florida later in the spring.

Created especially for Rays fans, the new hot dog features a special all-beef recipe, featuring a bolder flavor. The skinless hot dogs have no fillers and are M.S.G. and gluten free.

"The Rays are thrilled to be partnering with Kayem, one of the country's most established and successful hot-dog manufacturers, to be introducing the all-new Kayem Beef Hot Dog," said Mark Fernandez, senior vice president for the Tampa Bay Rays. "We have placed a real premium on enhancing the fan experience and this exciting new partnership is another step towards our ongoing commitment to exceeding our fans' expectations and delivering the best possible product."

"For more than 100 years, Kayem has provided hot-dog lovers with great-tasting franks that get high marks for quality and freshness," added Bob Kufferman, Kayem senior brand manager.

Kayem and the Rays will plan a number of joint marketplace activities, such as product promotions and special events, aimed at extending the relationship beyond Tropicana Field and into the minds of consumers throughout the region, Mr. Kufferman said. "You won't have to be at the game to know that Kayem is the Official Hot Dog and Sausage of the Rays," he added.

Kayem Foods is the largest meat processor in New England. Owned and operated by the same family for more than 100 years, the company manufactures Kayem Franks, the #1 brand of franks sold in New England. Best known for its Old Tyme Natural Casing franks, Kayem produces more than 120 varieties of hot dogs and 320 varieties of deli meats, sausage and dinner hams under the Kayem, al fresco, Schonland's, McKenzie, Triple M, Genoa, Jordan's, Deutschmacher, Kirschner and Essem brands. In 2009, Kayem Foods began manufacturing and distributing the iconic Fenway Franks line of hot dogs, the Official Hot Dog of the Boston Red Sox and Fenway Park.