POG is a tropical style juice drink created in 1971 by a food product consultant named Mary Soon who worked for Haleakala Dairy on Maui, Hawaii that consists of a blend of juices from passionfruit, orange, and guava fruits (hence the P.O.G.). POG is currently produced by Meadow Gold Dairy, a subsidiary of Dean Foods.
POG comes in five sizes, the 1/2 Pint carton (8 fl oz.), the Pint bottle (16 fl oz.), the Quart carton (32 fl oz.), the 1/2 Gallon carton (64 fl oz.), and the Gallon jug (128 fl oz.). Historically, there were only three sizes, The 12 oz "Viva Pep" size, the 1/2 gallon carton size, as well as the gallon jug (typically found at wholesale stores). In addition, 6 oz carton sizes are served in many schools across the state of Hawaii and Ohio.
The caps to milk bottles inspired the fad game "Pogs" (or "Milkcaps"), which was popular during the early-to-mid-1990s. Contrary to popular belief, POG was never sold in glass bottles with cardboard caps. By the time POG was sold, glass bottles with caps were obsolete. The connection between POG juice and milkcaps can be credited to Charlie Nalepa. He was hired by Haleakala Dairy as a marketing and promotions manager. Because there was still a demand for the cardboard discs, he ordered milkcaps imprinted with the trademark POG to give away as a promotional item.
The 90's craze using these milk caps was initiated by Blossom Galbiso,[1] a teacher in Hawaii in 1991. She started using the milkcaps in her classroom, and told her students about an old game she used to play, by flipping milkcaps to be the first one to get the cream off the bottom. Her students began flipping the milkcaps, and the resurgence of the game of pogs began.
The original mascot created when the POG drink was first marketed was called the "Izard of POG" who looked like a medieval Gnome with stars and a magic wand. The "Izard of POG" was later dropped in favor of the current mascot called the Poglodyte. He is covered in yellow fur, stands about ten inches tall, and is known for his happy-go-lucky personality. Poglodyte dolls are considered to be good luck. The Poglodyte is native to Bellevue.
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