Sodexo joins First Lady Michelle Obama in National Fight against childhood obesity in the US.

Issy-les-Moulineaux, February 9, 2010 - Sodexo announced today its participation in the US First Lady Michelle Obama's campaign to eliminate childhood obesity within a generation. World leader in Quality of Daily Life solutions, Sodexo serves more than 2.8 million school meals daily to students in more than 470 school districts in the United States.

Collectively, Sodexo and its industry partners serve over 750 million school meals annually. The agreement will affect 135,000 students in the 2010-2011 school year alone. In addition, representatives estimate a potential increase of 18,700,000 meals conforming to standards outlined in the Healthier US School Challenge. The school lunch providers expect to reach 2 million families with nutrition information.

Under the agreement, Sodexo and its industry partners have agreed to support the First Lady's Initiative by including more fruit, juice, vegetable, whole grain and milk options in reimbursable lunches.

“At Sodexo, we know that access to good nutrition as part of a holistic approach that includes exercise and other good lifestyle choices benefit children not only in their health and wellness but also in their ability to achieve academic success,” said Lorna C. Donatone, Sodexo North America chief operating officer and Education Market president. “We are proud to advance our current programs, now with the partnership of our industry and the leadership of the White House to combat childhood obesity.”

Sodexo also agreed to increase nutrition education efforts aimed at students and parents, as well as encourage broader participation in the USDA's HealthierUS School Challenge by providing technical assistance and facilitating paperwork requirements for the schools they serve. Sodexo also commits to working closely with the White House, and continue to work with federal and state agencies, local school districts and others in the private sector to achieve the First Lady's goal to eliminate childhood obesity this generation.

Over the longer-term, Sodexo and its industry partners in the US commit to working with suppliers to continue to provide healthy food options; undertake research related to cost efficiency and reimbursable meals; work toward meeting the National Institute of Medicine's recommended standards for fat, sugar, and whole grains over the next 5 years and the standards for sodium through a 5% annual reduction over the next ten years; and work to double produce offered in school meals over the next 10 years. By some estimates, this would result in an increase of 100 million pounds of fruits and vegetables served each year once full value is achieved in 10 years.

 Press release in PDF

Find out more about Sodexo's fight to end the epidemic of childhood obesity in the United States.

About Sodexo
Sodexo, world leader in Quality of Daily Life Solutions
Quality of Life plays an important role in the progress of individuals and the performance of organizations. Based on this conviction, Sodexo is the strategic partner for companies and institutions that place a premium on performance and well-being, as it has since Pierre Bellon founded the company in 1966. Sharing the same passion for service, Sodexo's 380,000 employees, in 80 countries design, manage and deliver an unrivaled range of On-site Service Solutions and Motivation Solutions. Sodexo has created a new form of service business that contributes to the economic, social and environmental development of the communities, regions and countries in which it operates and to the fulfillment of its employees.

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