American Heart Association and Aramark Named 2018 Halo Award Winners for Improving Diet, Health of Millions
Innovative “Healthy for Life® 20 By 20” takes silver award in health category
DALLAS, May 24, 2018 /3BL Media/ - The American Heart Association, the world’s leading voluntary health organization devoted to fighting cardiovascular disease, and Aramark, the largest U.S. food service company serving two billion meals each year, are thrilled their Healthy for Life® 20 By 20 collaboration is the 2018 Silver Halo Award winner in the health category.
The Halo Awards, bestowed by Engage for Good (formerly the Cause Marketing Forum), are North America’s highest honor for corporate social initiatives and cause marketing. This prestigious award recognizes social good campaigns targeted at consumers and/or employees involving a company and a cause.
Healthy for Life® 20 By 20 is a five-year initiative that introduces industry leading healthy menu commitments by reducing calories, saturated fat and sodium, while increasing fruits, vegetables and whole grains 20 percent by the year 2020. Menu changes are already impacting the billions of meals that Aramark serves annually at thousands of colleges and universities, businesses, hospitals and other destinations.
The multi-year collaboration is unique because it comprehensively addresses population health through the combination of healthy menu innovation, consumer health engagement, community health outreach and Aramark employee wellbeing initiatives.
“The American Heart Association is deeply committed to developing innovation solutions with industry leaders to help all Americans live healthier lives,” said Nancy Brown, Chief Executive Officer, American Heart Association. “Aramark has proven to be a visionary collaborator with Healthy for Life 20 By 20. Together, under CEO Eric Foss’ leadership, we are developing new ways to improve the nation’s health.”
Aramark and the Association are reporting that through the second year of their collaboration, together, they’ve achieved a 13 percent average reduction in calories, saturated fat and sodium plus significant increases in fruits, vegetables and whole grains on the menus.
“It is an honor to receive this recognition with the American Heart Association for our ongoing efforts to build a culture of health,” said Eric J. Foss, Aramark’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. “It validates how two committed organizations, united through a common goal, can make a difference.”
Additionally, a new health engagement campaign, Feed Your Potential 365™, was launched in 2016. “FYP clubs” are inspiring families in underserved communities to make healthy food choices part of their everyday lives. Participants in the community program reported a 28 percent average increase in fruit and vegetable consumption as well as significant increases in the frequency of choosing whole grains. Participants also reported improved confidence in their ability to prepare healthy foods at home. Elements of the program have expanded to nearly 50 community centers in 26 cities.
“The Halo Awards were created to acknowledge best in class corporate social impact programs. This year’s winners are a fantastic representation of the effective and innovative ways companies and causes can work together to create meaningful business and social returns,” said David Hessekiel, President, Engage for Good.
For more information about Healthy for Life® 20 By 20 visit https://www.aramark.com/healthyforlife
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Additional resources:
- Healthy for Life® 20 By 20 Year 2 impact report
- Healthy for Life® 20 By 20 Year 2 impact video
- List of cause marketing Halo Award finalists
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 http://www.aramark.com/ or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.
About Engage for Good
Engage for Good, producer of the Engage for Good conference and Halo Awards, helps business and nonprofit executives succeed together by providing practical information and inspiration, opportunities to build valuable relationships and recognition for outstanding work engaging employees and consumers around social good and cause-related marketing efforts.
For Media Inquiries:
Brooks Lancaster, brooks.lancaster@heart.org, (212) 878-5975
For Public Inquiries: (800) AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
