Healthy for Life initiative on track to achieve 2020 goals
impacting the health & well-being of millions of
Americans
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.
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version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171120005862/en/
AramarkChris Collom,
215-238-3593collom-chris@aramark.comorAmerican Heart AssociationFor
Media Inquiries:Brooks Lancaster,
212-878-5975brooks.lancaster@heart.orgorFor Public
Inquiries:800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)heart.org and
strokeassociation.org
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