Snack Food Association Supports
Voluntary School Nutrition Standards
ARLINGTON, VA. – April 26, 2007. The Snack Food Association
(SFA) said today it concurs with an Institute of Medicine
(IOM) report issued April 25 that action needs to be taken
in the nation’s public schools to combat childhood obesity.
SFA said that a voluntary approach with nutrition guidelines
developed by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation (AHG),
which are already being implemented, will be a more effective
way for the IOM, the industry and schools to achieve the same
goals
"The Snack Food Association is delighted to be part
of a growing coalition of companies and trade associations
that are doing their part to help parents, educators, and
health professionals teach kids about healthier lifestyles,"
said Jim McCarthy, SFA President and CEO. "Parents can
practice healthy eating and exercise habits with their children
at home, but they cannot be present in school to guide the
choices their children make. Therefore, we endorse the snack
food guidelines created uniquely for schools by the Alliance
for a Healthier Generation and applaud the Alliance 's Healthy
Schools Program that helps students learn healthy eating habits
and have more access to physical activity."
The Snack Food Association joins Campbell Soup Company, Dannon,
Kraft Foods, Mars and PepsiCo, who announced the guidelines
with the Alliance in October 2006 and for the past five months
have been working with the Alliance to help encourage their
broad acceptance in the unique school environment. Some of
these companies have already launched new nutritious snack
products that are formulated with the specific needs of children
and teens in mind and which meet or exceed the Alliance guidelines.
In addition, The Bachman Company, Reading, PA, Ubiquity Brands,
Chicago, IL, Rudolph Foods Co., Inc., Lima , OH , and Shearer's
Foods, Inc., Brewster , OH , also announced their endorsement
of the guidelines.
"Our members continue to develop new ways to provide
better-for-you snack options without sacrificing taste,"
said McCarthy. "We look forward to a strong partnership
with the Alliance and working with them to implement their
guidelines in schools."
The Alliance is currently working with over 1,100 schools
across the country to make a variety of health improvements
throughout the school day. It is expected that the number
of schools supporting the Alliance guidelines will grow at
least six-fold within the next year.
For more information, contact:
Lisa Katic, 703-548-2513
Or Jim McCarthy, 703-836-4500, ext. 201
|
