PHILADELPHIA—Aramark, the largest U.S. based food service company, who serves two billion meals each year, and the American Heart Association (AHA), the leading voluntary health organization devoted to a world of longer, healthier lives, today reported results from the third year of their Healthy for Life® 20 By 20 collaboration, which aims to improve the health of all Americans 20 percent by 2020.
Fueled by science and research from the AHA, Aramark chefs and menu developers pursued a variety of healthy menu strategies over the past three years, achieving industry-leading impact across the millions of meals served in workplaces, hospital cafés and college and university dining halls. The healthy menu innovation work has achieved a 15 percent average reduction across calories, saturated fat and sodium, while significantly increasing fruits, vegetables and whole grains on menus. Specific changes include:
- 19 percent reduction in saturated fat
- 14 percent reduction in sodium
- 11 percent reduction in calories
- 9 percent increase across fruits, vegetables and whole grains
“Our long-standing collaboration with Aramark illustrates our joint commitment to improve access to healthy food choices,” said Nancy Brown, Chief Executive Officer of the American Heart Association. “Our aim is to meet people where they are to promote and inspire long and healthy lives.”
DELIVERING INDUSTRY-LEADING HEALTHY MENU IMPACT
Designing new menus, creating innovative recipes, improving existing favorites and sourcing the right ingredients helped Aramark make major progress toward achieving its menu goals of reducing calories, saturated fat and sodium by 20 percent and increasing fruits, vegetables and whole grains 20 percent by the end of 2020.
To achieve its goal of increasing fruits, vegetables and whole grains, Aramark launched a major plant-forward initiative to elevate the role of healthy ingredients on its menus in colleges and universities, hospital cafés and workplace locations. The initiative introduced innovative recipes and aligned with existing efforts to accelerate climate-healthy menus that lower greenhouse gas emissions. Impact includes:
- Over 200 new plant-based recipes created
- 30 percent of menu offerings are vegan or vegetarian
- 5 percent average reduction in the amount of red meat in Aramark recipes
- More than 1,200 chefs have been trained in plant-based culinary innovation workshops
CONSUMER EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY IMPACT
Reaching millions of consumers, including communities in greatest need, through health awareness outreach and education programs, Aramark and the American Heart Association are inspiring people to make healthier choices part of their everyday lives.
- Launched in support of the Healthy for Life® 20 By 20 initiative, Aramark’s Feed Your Potential consumer engagement campaign utilizes an ever-growing health promotion toolkit to encourage consumers to try healthy foods.
- Worked with 300 local community centers and organizations in 50 cities to help families in underserved communities learn how to discover, choose and prepare healthy food, through hands-on educational experiences. A majority (60 percent) of participants increased the amount of fruit, vegetable and whole grains they eat each day, after participating in the program.
- Developed an online tool containing science-based educational experiences, orientation materials, recipes and support resources, all free to download, for program leaders around the country.
About Healthy for Life® 20 By 20
In 2015, the American Heart Association and Aramark introduced an innovative new health impact model. The initiative established a multi-year collaboration between a preeminent health organization and a leading food company, who committed to working closely together to leverage combined reach and resources, as part of a nationwide initiative designed to help millions lead healthier lives. For more information on Healthy for Life® 20 By 20, visit: http://www.aramark.com/healthyforlife. Sign up to receive healthy tips and recipes on www.fyp365.com or follow @Aramark on Instagram.
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 work to put our sustainability goals into action by focusing on initiatives that engage our employees, empower healthy living, preserve our planet and build local 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.
About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a leading force for a world of longer, healthier lives. With nearly a century of lifesaving work, the Dallas-based association is dedicated to ensuring equitable health for all. We are a trustworthy source empowering people to improve their heart health, brain health and well-being. We collaborate with numerous organizations and millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, advocate for stronger public health policies and share lifesaving resources and information. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, Twitter or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
