DALLAS, Nov. 17, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The first-year
report released by Aramark and the American Heart Association (AHA)
on their goal to improve the health of Americans by 2020 shows
significant progress by Aramark achieving an 8 percent reduction in
calories, sodium and saturated fats, and increasing fruits,
vegetables and whole grains across the menus it serves in colleges
and universities, hospital cafes and workplace locations. Over 30
percent of main dishes served on these menus are now vegetarian or
vegan, and more than 10 percent have whole grains as a leading
ingredient. In addition, results of a pilot effort to change
behaviors around food and nutrition in underserved communities
found participants in the program significantly increased fruit and
vegetable consumption by almost a full cup per day. These gains
represent major progress when nearly 70 percent of American adults
are either overweight or obese, and 72 percent have a poor
diet.
"The American Heart Association is grateful for Aramark's
continued commitment to improving the health of all Americans and
we're delighted with the progress we have collectively made in the
past year," said Nancy Brown, CEO of
the American Heart Association. "This proves that our work is truly
advancing the health of Americans and we look forward to continuing
this great work in the coming years."
Healthy for Life® 20 By 20, a five-year initiative launched in
2015, aims to improve the health of consumers across the country by
20 percent by the year 2020. It includes healthy menu commitments
impacting the more than 2 billion meals Aramark serves annually,
and also focuses on community health engagement as well as consumer
and employee health awareness and education.
"Just over one year ago, we embarked on a landmark initiative
with the American Heart Association to create a culture of health
for all Americans, with a keen focus on helping families in
underserved communities," said Eric J.
Foss, Aramark's Chairman, President & CEO. "We are
extremely pleased with the progress our teams have made together,
and are focused on continuing this innovative work and breakthrough
collaboration in support of our shared goals to help people lead
healthier lives."
AHA and Aramark have achieved the following milestones in the
first year of their strategic relationship:
Menu Impact:
2020 GOAL: Achieve a
20 percent reduction in calories, saturated fats, and sodium as
well as a 20 percent increase in fruits, vegetables, and whole
grains in Aramark's menus, with an impact of 10 billion meals
served by the year 2020. Annual target: 3 – 5 percent
reduction
YEAR ONE PROGRESS: Aramark has reduced calories,
saturated fats, and sodium by an average of 8 percent across menus
that are served in colleges and universities, hospital cafes and
workplaces, exceeding the annual target of 3 -5 percent established
as the benchmark necessary to reach the 20 percent by 2020.
A focus on increasing fruits, vegetables and whole grains on
menus is also progressing. Over 30 percent of main dishes served on
these menus are now vegetarian or vegan and more than 10 percent
have whole grains as a leading ingredient. In addition, over 50
percent of the entrees or sandwich items are 500 calories or
less. Progress has been driven by a variety of healthy menu
impact strategies, including:
- Menu Mix Redesign: Changing the assortment of recipes on
the menu and featuring selections from Aramark's extensive
portfolio of 'Eat Well' recipes that have at least a full serving
of leafy greens, vegetables, whole grains or other good-for-you
ingredients and that are also lower in saturated fat, calories and
sodium.
- New Recipe Development: Developing new recipes and
improving existing recipes in ways that combine fresh, wholesome,
high quality ingredients to create lighter classics, better for you
comfort food, and contemporary international cuisine.
- Ingredient Sourcing: Finding ways to improve existing
ingredients and products while discovering new high quality
products for a healthier menu.
Community Health Engagement & Education:
2020
GOAL: Create health education and awareness programs in
underserved communities across the U.S. that change behaviors and
attitudes towards food and nutrition.
YEAR ONE PROGRESS: AHA and Aramark co-developed and
tested a community health engagement model, which featured an
extensive curriculum based on the AHA's proven science and programs
with the goal to produce positive behavior changes in participants,
primarily single moms and head of households responsible for
providing meals for their families. The intervention piloted with
five community centers in Chicago,
Houston and Philadelphia found that:
- 69 percent of participants increased their fruit and vegetable
consumption by at least half a serving a day.
- 48 percent of participants increased their whole grain
consumption by at least one serving.
- On average, participants increased fruit and vegetable
consumption by two servings, which is about one cup per day.
While the AHA and Aramark acknowledge the strong progress made
during the inaugural year of the Healthy for Life® 20 By 20
initiative, both organizations remain focused on continuing to
address the bold 2020 health impact goals.
In year two, Aramark and the AHA will expand and scale the
successful community health engagement program to enable continued
behavior change in underserved communities through interactive
nutrition and wellness programs that foster long-term health
impacts. Additional community centers will be invited to join the
initiative and educational programming content will be made more
widely available to other social service agencies in support of
improved population health.
In addition, Aramark will continue its work to engage consumers
and Aramark associates through ongoing menu innovation and health
education.
See highlights from the initiative's first year here.
For more information on Healthy for Life® 20 By 20, and to
access goals and growth-to-date for the initiative, please visit:
www.aramark.com/healthyforlife.
About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is devoted to saving people from
heart disease and stroke — the two leading causes of death in the
world. We team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative
research, fight for stronger public health policies, and provide
lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat these
diseases. The Dallas-based
association is the nation's oldest and largest voluntary
organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. To
learn more or to get involved, call 1-800-AHA-USA1, visit
www.heart.org or any of our offices around the country. Follow us
on Facebook and Twitter.
About Aramark
Aramark (NYSE: ARMK) delivers
experiences that enrich and nourish people's lives through
innovative services in food, facilities management, and uniforms.
United by a passion to serve, our 270,000 employees make a
meaningful difference each day for millions of people in 21
countries around the world. Aramark is recognized as one of the
World's Most Admired Companies by FORTUNE, rated number
one among Diversified Outsourcing Companies, as well as among the
World's Most Ethical Companies by the Ethisphere Institute. Learn
more at www.aramark.com or connect with us on Facebook and
Twitter.
Media
Contact:
|
|
American Heart
Association
|
|
Leslie
Holland
|
|
214-706-1438
|
|
leslie.holland@heart.org
|
|
Aramark
|
|
Karen
Cutler
|
Chris
Collom
|
215-238-4036
|
215-238-3593
|
cutler-karen@aramark.com
|
collom-chris@aramark.com
|
VIdeo -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrd62T9uzIk&feature=youtu.be
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161116/440539
Logo -
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150804/254981LOGO
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-american-heart-association-and-aramark-announce-significant-progress-against-goal-to-improve-health-of-americans-by-2020-300364951.html
SOURCE Aramark; American Heart Association