CAMDEN, N.J., Nov 16, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Campbell Soup Company (NYSE:CPB) today announced the appointment of Kim Fremont Fortunato as Director of its Childhood Obesity and Hunger program, a newly created position. She will focus on reducing childhood obesity and hunger by 50 percent over the next ten years in Camden and other locations where Campbell has operations in the United States.
Campbell outlined its initial plans to reduce childhood obesity and hunger in its 2010 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) report. Under Fortunato’s leadership, the company plans to build this initiative into its signature community program. She will be based at Campbell’s World Headquarters in Camden and will report to Jerry Buckley, Senior Vice President – Public Affairs.
Fortunato, 53, will be responsible for leading a multi-year plan, which will initially focus on reducing childhood obesity and hunger in Camden, the company’s hometown since 1869. She will work with government officials, non-profit partners and the medical community at local, regional and national levels in the U.S., to further build this program. Fortunato also will work closely with Campbell Soup Foundation Trustees and Campbell colleagues and align the initiative with Campbell’s overall CSR, community affairs and employee volunteerism strategies.
“We are thrilled to have Kim join Campbell and build upon our efforts to reduce childhood obesity and hunger,” said Buckley. “While hunger and obesity are a national crisis, it is even more acute here in Camden. Kim’s experience and relationships will be invaluable as we build our signature community program and make meaningful strides to nourish the lives of thousands of children.”
Obesity rates for Camden children ages three to 19 are nearly 40 percent–significantly above the national average of 32 percent, according to the 2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys and Body Mass Index (BMI) data collected by the Rutgers State Center for Health Policy.
Fortunato possesses significant experience in leading non-profit organizations, having worked in the field for more than 20 years. She joins Campbell from Operation Warm, Inc., an organization that provides new winter coats to children in need. During her tenure as President, Fortunato led a staff of 12 and oversaw rapid growth of the organization. Under her leadership, Operation Warm increased the number of coats distributed from 70,000 in 2006 to a projected 250,000 in 2011. Its operating budget increased from $1.5 million in 2006 to more than $3.6 million in 2010.
Prior to Operation Warm, Fortunato was Director of Expert Relations at Lluminari, Inc., a health media company. Earlier in her career, Fortunato co-founded Social Venture Partners Delaware, a venture philanthropy organization focused on investments in early childhood education for at-risk children in Delaware. She also served as program director for the Delaware Community Foundation. She began her career as a lawyer.
Fortunato earned her B.A. degree from Duke University. She holds a J.D. from Widener University School of Law and is a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association. She currently serves on the board of directors of Social Venture Partners Delaware and is the corresponding secretary to the Rodel Foundation board in Delaware. Previously, Fortunato chaired the Delaware Institute for the Arts in Education and served on the board of Lincoln Center’s Institute for Aesthetic Education.
About Campbell Soup Company
Campbell Soup Company is a global manufacturer and marketer of high-quality foods and simple meals, including soup and sauces, baked snacks and healthy beverages. Founded in 1869, the company has a portfolio of market-leading brands, including “Campbell’s,” “Pepperidge Farm,” “Arnott’s” and “V8.” Through its corporate social responsibility program, the company strives to make a positive impact in the workplace, in the marketplace and in the communities in which it operates. Campbell is a member of the Standard & Poor’s 500 and the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes. For more information, visit www.campbellsoup.com.
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SOURCE: Campbell Soup Company
Campbell Soup CompanyMedia:Anthony Sanzio, 856-968-4390orAnalysts:Jennifer Driscoll, 856-342-6081