During the Partnership for a Healthier America’s (PHA) “Building a Healthier Future” Summit last Friday in Washington, D.C., two IDFA members, The Dannon Company and Kwik Trip, joined the organization and announced voluntary commitments. PHA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that is led by some of the nation’s most respected health and business leaders to find solutions for curbing childhood obesity. The First Lady Michelle Obama is PHA’s honorary chair.
Dannon, a leading yogurt manufacturer, committed to improving by 10 percent the nutrient density of its products, while reducing total sugar and fat. The company also will invest in education and research focused on healthy eating habits. Dannon plans to reach these goals by 2016 through innovations and reformulations.
Kwik Trip, a family-owned business that runs more than 440 convenience stores in the Midwest, and manufactures its own “Nature's Touch” dairy brand, committed to improving customer access to healthier food, including an emphasis on nonfat and low-fat dairy products. Kwik Trip also will start a “Healthy Concessions Program” that will promote dairy products and other foods in fundraising efforts.
The First Lady spoke at the conclusion of the summit, placing a major emphasis on private sector achievements through the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation, of which IDFA and several dairy companies are members. A list of corporate members is available here.
Created in 2010, PHA works with unbiased third parties to monitor and publicly report on the progress of commitments made by all partners. For more information about PHA, visit www.aHealthierAmerica.org.