Nestlé in the United States reaffirms its commitment to creating a healthier generation by announcing today a three-year partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA). Nestlé is sponsoring a bi-annual National Fitness Competition through BGCA over the course of three years to inspire kids to achieve tangible short-term fitness goals. This partnership represents a new component in the company’s larger strategy to promote nutrition education and physical activity through partnerships at the national and community levels, as well as research to inform its approach.
“We are very much looking forward to our collaboration with Boys & Girls Clubs of America, because we believe that Nestlé has a responsibility to the communities we serve,” said Paul Grimwood, chief executive officer of Nestlé USA. “Childhood obesity is a growing problem – and we are working hard to reverse the trend with programs that promote physical activity – as well as programs that focus on the importance of a balanced diet, portion control, increased consumption of fruits and vegetables, and water for healthy hydration.”
The National Fitness Competition will launch this spring with 20 pilot Clubs and will expand to 100 Clubs this fall. By the third year, the competition is expected to reach 500 Clubs, engaging a total of 50,000 young people. Each spring and fall, Clubs will host local fitness competitions for their members, which will include activities broken out by age group and gender, along with three levels of competition: individual, among peers and against other Clubs to encourage a competitive spirit.
“Nestlé employees have been active volunteers and supporters of Boys & Girls Clubs for many years. This partnership marks an exciting, increased commitment from the company that will inspire our Club kids to achieve their physical fitness goals. With more than 3 out of 10 kids today considered obese or overweight, Boys & Girls Clubs of America is focused on providing healthy lifestyles programs for kids to learn about the importance of health and fitness, while also developing increased self-confidence and motivation to succeed and achieve a great future,” said Jim Clark, president & CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
In keeping with Nestlé’s emphasis on community volunteerism, the program will also include an emphasis on employee engagement, building on Nestlé USA’s Adopt-A-School program that has been the cornerstone of the company’s volunteer outreach efforts for the past 20 years and which is now expanding to include the planting and cultivating of edible gardens.
The program will also complement much of Nestlé’s work in nutrition education at the community level, including a partnership with the National Education Association Health Information Network to provide nutrition curriculum to K-6 educators and the students they serve, and the Start Healthy, Stay Healthy Early Childhood Nutrition program in collaboration with the cities of Newark, New Jersey and Birmingham, Alabama. Start Healthy, Stay Healthy is intended to address high childhood obesity rates through an unbranded nutrition program supported by Nestlé and led by community peers. For more on our commitments to Nutrition, Health and Wellness, visit http://www.nestleusa.com/creating-shared-value.
Nestlé’s strategy in nutrition, health and wellness – and particularly infant and childhood nutrition – is informed by research in countries across the globe, including the launch this year of a study examining the dietary habits of children up to age 12, which are critical to forming life-long habits. Findings from this study were presented at a poster session last weekend at the American Society for Nutrition conference. Over the next several years, additional findings will be presented at scientific forums to inform public health communities around the world, as well as additional communications and educational programs.
About Nestlé in the United States
Nestlé in the United States is committed to being a trusted leader in nutrition, health and wellness. Our diverse portfolio of food and beverage products provide nutritious options for every member of the family, including infants, toddlers, teens and adults, mature adults, and dogs and cats. Nestlé in the U.S. consists of seven main businesses: Nestlé USA, Nestlé Purina PetCare Company, Nestlé Waters North America, Nestlé Nutrition, Nestlé Professional, Nespresso and Nestlé Health Science. Together, these companies operate in more than 120 locations in 47 states and employ over 51,000 people. The United States is Nestlé S.A.’s largest market with combined product sales in the United States totaling more than $26 billion in 2014.
At Nestlé, we believe that for our business to prosper in the long term, we must create value for our employees, customers, stakeholders, consumers and the communities where we live and work. Nestlé embeds Creating Shared Value (CSV) into every part of its business, from nutrition and wellness to environmental sustainability and responsible sourcing. For more information, visit: http://www.nestleusa.com/creating-shared-value.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (GreatFutures.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, more than 4,100 Clubs serve nearly 4 million young people annually through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in Boys & Girls Clubs of America-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. They provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun, friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Priority programs emphasize academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 57 percent said the Club saved their lives.