Strategic Partnerships Are Increasing Physical Activity, Nutrition Education and Healthy Food Outlets
CAMDEN, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Dec. 10, 2013– Campbell Soup Company (NYSE:CPB) continues to advance its efforts to measurably improve the health of young people in its hometown of Camden. Since its launch in February 2011, the Campbell Healthy Communities program has supported the development of 36 new venues that sell or distribute healthy food serving approximately 23,000 Camden residents, increased the opportunity for physical activity for children by 75 percent over the past 12 months and supported nearly 200,000 hours of nutrition education.
“We’re encouraged by the progress we continue to achieve in our programs, but recognize that we have more work to do as childhood obesity and food insecurity remain tough challenges for our city and across the country,” said Kim Fortunato, Director, Campbell Healthy Communities. “We understand that the success of strategic corporate social responsibility programs such as Campbell Healthy Communities depends on many hands across the community playing an active role. Numerous organizations are engaged in building a healthier life for Camden residents. Local hospitals and health care providers, national sports foundations and local chapters of the YMCA, planning commissions and community development and financial institutions – everyone has a role to play.”
In 2013, Campbell and its partner organizations identified progress metrics focused on creating more access to fresh foods, increasing physical activity, expanding nutrition education and bringing heightened awareness and utilization of the programs created under the Campbell Healthy Communities framework in Camden. Results to date are making a difference in Camden and include:
As part of its Healthy Communities program, Campbell is collaborating with the U.S. Soccer Foundation, The United Way of Greater Philadelphia and South Jersey, the New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids-Camden, the Food Trust, FoodCorps, the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, and the YMCA of Burlington and Camden Counties, along with the Camden Coalition of Healthcare Providers, Cooper and Lourdes Hospitals, Rutgers University and the Food Bank of South Jersey.
“Programs like Soccer for Success have been a big win,” said Fortunato. “The U.S. Soccer Foundation’s free after-school soccer program combines both physical activity and nutrition education. It’s the first citywide after-school program in Camden.”
Campbell announced the Campbell Healthy Communities program in 2011 supported by a $10-million, 10-year investment to reduce Camden’s childhood obesity rate by half by focusing on four areas: access to nutritious and fresh foods; access to safe places to play, exercise and walk; nutrition education – prenatal to adult; and building public will within the community to advance real solutions. Additional details of the program are reported in the Campbell Healthy Communities Annual Report.
Campbell’s Corporate Social Responsibility strategies are designed to deliver measurable impacts in four key areas: Our Consumers, Our Planet, Our Employees and Our Community. To learn more visit https://www.thecampbellscompany.com/csr.
About Campbell Soup Company
Campbell Soup Company is a manufacturer and marketer of high-quality foods and simple meals, including soup and sauces, snacks and healthy beverages. Founded in 1869, the company has a portfolio of market-leading brands, including “Campbell’s,” “Pepperidge Farm,” “Arnott’s,” “V8,” “Bolthouse Farms,” “Plum Organics” and “Kjeldsens.” 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.thecampbellscompany.com or follow company news on Twitter via @CampbellSoupCo.
Source: Campbell Soup Company
Campbell Soup CompanyThomas Hushen (Media)856-342-5227[email protected]orBellevue Communications GroupSusan Buehler (Media)215-893-4284