Healthy for Life initiative on track to achieve 2020 goals
impacting the health & well-being of millions of Americans
DALLAS -- (Business Wire)
Aramark, the largest U.S. food service company serving two billion meals
each year and the American Heart Association, the world’s leading
voluntary organization dedicated to building healthier lives, free of
cardiovascular diseases and stroke, report significant strides in
delivering healthier options across the menus served to millions in
colleges and universities, hospital cafes and workplace locations.
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Recently released blood pressure guidelines from the American Heart
Association suggest that 46 percent of Americans will now be diagnosed
with high blood pressure; sodium intake remains a key risk factor for
developing high blood pressure.
Aramark and the Association report that in the second year of their
collaboration they’ve achieved a 14 percent average reduction in sodium,
a 15 percent reduction in saturated fat, an 11 percent reduction in
calories plus significant increases in fruits, vegetables and whole
grains on the menus.
“To drive significant health impact and save lives we must think
differently, and more systemically, about how we reach the most people
where they are to positively influence their food choices,” said Nancy
Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association. “Our work with Aramark
delivers on that ability and accelerates progress both from the meals
they serve every day to the communities where they do business – and
that’s a powerful combination.”
The year-2 health impact results released by the Association and Aramark
are on track with their joint Healthy for Life 20 By 20 goal to improve
the health of Americans by 2020. The five-year initiative not only
includes decreasing calories, saturated fat and sodium by 20 percent and
increasing fruits, vegetables and whole grains by 20 percent, but also
includes inspiring healthier consumer choice, supporting underserved
communities and engaging 175,000 Aramark employees and AHA volunteers
nationwide.
“Aramark continues to be encouraged by the meaningful reductions in
sodium, calories and saturated fat we are achieving in our menus, as
well as our efforts to support behavioral change in underserved
communities and among our employees and the consumers we serve every
day,” said Eric J. Foss, Aramark’s Chairman, President and Chief
Executive Officer, and member of the American Heart Association’s CEO
Roundtable.
Lifestyle modifications such as exercise, healthy eating, and sodium
reduction are the first type of medication prescribed to reduce blood
pressure. Key categories on Aramark’s menus such as soups and breakfast,
lunch and dinner entrees are now averaging under 500mg of sodium per
serving. Aramark and the Association will continue to expand their
health education programs and consumer awareness by empowering consumers
to make healthy choices through a variety of resources.
The Association and Aramark have achieved the following milestones
during the two years of their strategic health impact alliance:
Menu Impact:
2020 goal: Achieve a 20 percent reduction in calories, saturated
fat, 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 two progress: Aramark has reduced calories, saturated fats,
and sodium by an average of 13 percent across menus served in
workspaces, hospital cafes, colleges and universities exceeding the
annual target of 3-5 percent.
The focus on increasing fruits, vegetables and whole grains on menus
continues to progress. 30 percent of the menu is now vegetarian or
vegan, and fruit, vegetable and whole grain consumption is up by 5
percent in the first year of reporting for this measure.
Saturated fat levels have declined by 15 percent with approximately half
of menu choices under 10 percent calories from saturated fats. Sodium
levels have been reduced by 14 percent with menu categories like
breakfast, lunch and dinner entrees, and soups averaging under 500 mg of
sodium per serving. More than 70 percent of main dishes are now 500
calories or less.
Community Health Engagement & Education:
2020 Goal: Create health education and awareness programs in
underserved communities across the U.S. to support a change in behavior
and attitudes towards food and nutrition.
Year Two Progress: The Association and Aramark launched Feed
Your Potential 365 to help consumers learn what healthy foods can do
to feed their potential and live healthy lives. The campaign is reaching
millions of consumers and launched in more than 1,000 food service
locations.
After conducting a pilot in three cities, the community program is now
being introduced nationwide. Activation has expanded to 26 cities and
nearly 50 community centers. Participant evaluations of the program have
shown positive changes in food and nutrition behaviors.
For more information on Healthy for Life® 20 By 20 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 heart.org
or call any of our offices around the country. Follow us on Facebook
and Twitter.
About Aramark
Aramark (NYSE: ARMK) proudly serves Fortune 500 companies, world
champion sports teams, state-of-the-art healthcare providers, the
world’s leading educational institutions, iconic destinations and
cultural attractions, and numerous municipalities in 19 countries around
the world. Our 270,000 team members deliver experiences that enrich and
nourish millions of lives every day through innovative services in food,
facilities management and uniforms. We operate our business with social
responsibility, focusing on initiatives that support our diverse
workforce, advance consumer health and wellness, protect our
environment, and strengthen our communities. Aramark is recognized as
one of the World’s Most Admired Companies by FORTUNE, as well as an
employer of choice by the Human Rights Campaign and DiversityInc. Learn
more at www.aramark.com
or connect with us on Facebook
and Twitter.
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171120005862/en/
Contacts:
Aramark
Chris Collom, 215-238-3593
collom-chris@aramark.com
or
American
Heart Association
For Media Inquiries:
Brooks Lancaster,
212-878-5975
brooks.lancaster@heart.org
or
For
Public Inquiries:
800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org
and strokeassociation.org
Source: Aramark and American Heart Association
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