Sodexo Supports U.S. First Lady’s Anti-Childhood Obesity Initiative

U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama got Sodexo’s agreement to have better meals to support her anti-childhood obesity initiative, called “Let’s Move,” which has been going on for four years now. The changes to the meal plans could be put in effect as early as next year, which will benefit not only children but adults as well. Outside of the restaurant chains, Sodexo is the first large and important food service company that has made the pledge to have more nutritious food available to support the First Lady’s project.

Sodexo services

Sodexo is a multinational corporation engaged in facilities management and food services and is present in 80 countries. The French company is based in a Paris suburb. It services different sectors including correctional facilities, military bases, assisted-living facilities, clinics and hospitals, schools in all levels, government agencies as well as privately-owned corporations. It serves over 9,000 locations in the United States, servicing about 15 million consumers each day.

Appreciated commitment

The White House fully appreciates Sodexo’s commitment to the First Lady’s project, for the company reaches such a large group of people in different venues and locations. According to Sodexo, it will be adding more nutritious meals to its K-12 lunchroom program and its vending machines. Likewise, it has made the commitment to offer children’s meal that are healthier in various locations outside the school, such as in recreational facilities, aquariums and museums. The company also said that it wants to distribute more free breakfasts to elementary and secondary schools where its meals are served, which could be millions in number.

George Chavel, Sodexo’s CEO also said that the company wishes to provide healthy choices to children so that choosing the right food will be second nature to them in the long run.

Sam Kass, who is the executive director of Mrs. Obama’s project and a White House chef, views Sodexo’s menu changes as an indication that healthier choices and decisions are now a new standard in the country.

Steps to make the project work

To meet its goals, Sodexo is working with Partnership for a Healthier America, a non-profit, which was established in conjunction with the First Lady’s program. The changes to be implemented include the following:

• By 2015 children’s meals served at cultural destinations such as museums will include low-fat milk or water, plus vegetable or fruit.

• By 2016, it will rearrange or redesign the lunchrooms with healthier choices in its K-12 accounts.

• By 2017, the company will have healthier meals in campuses, government offices and cafés in industries Sodexo services.

• By 2018, it will put in place improved meals from its vending machines as well as the food served in hospitals. Sodexo already served 60 million free breakfasts last year and it is targeting to have an additional 17 million by 2018.

The Partnership for a Healthier America on the other hand works currently with about 60 businesses in America. They monitor the businesses’ accountability to their commitment to help make the health of Americans better.

Photo credit: Taken by Sodexo s.r.o. under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.