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Advancing Children’s Nutrition and Fitness: Community Organizations Nationwide Receive General Mills Champions Grants

Program is a Partnership of the General Mills Foundation, American Dietetic Association Foundation and President’s Challenge
May 5, 2003

For further information contact:
Kirstie Foster
763/764-6364

MINNEAPOLIS -- Fifty nonprofit community groups across the country were awarded grants today totaling $500,000 from the General Mills Foundation to support innovative programs to help children develop good nutrition and fitness habits that will last throughout their lives.

The program, "General Mills Champions," is a long-term partnership between the General Mills Foundation, the American Dietetic Association Foundation and the President's Challenge. Additional components of the initiative include sponsorship of the Presidential Active Lifestyle Awards (PALA), as well as the development of nutrition and fitness mentoring models.

"Young people need to understand what makes up a balanced diet, the importance of variety and moderation, and how necessary it is to incorporate much more physical activity into their daily routine," said Lynn Swann, chair of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, which oversees the President's Challenge. "General Mills Champions is the type of program America needs to build a healthier, stronger, nation of children."

All three sponsoring organizations have always believed in the fundamental importance of nutrition and exercise, especially for children.

The new partnership is an evolution of that commitment, according to Chris Shea, president of the General Mills Foundation: "It is our intention to build local connections and, most importantly, to help instill good, healthy lifestyle habits that will last a lifetime for America's kids. This is a long-term, multifaceted commitment toward that goal, and we are proud to partner with the American Dietetic Association Foundation and the President's Challenge on this important effort."

Among the 50 grant recipients is "Happy Feet and Healthy Eats" based in Fort Collins, Colorado. This is an awareness, education, and activity program for at-risk preschoolers, focusing on children as well as their parents, Head Start teachers, and child-care providers. The program includes a "Food Friends" nutrition component encouraging children to try new foods as well as a fitness component for teachers and children. Parent materials challenge families to incorporate more physical activity into their everyday lives while also encouraging them to try new foods.

"Get In Motion" of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is an after-school program for children ages 5-14 using an exercise strategy called "Nutricizing," which integrates nutrition education with physical activity. Students engage in exercise activities, learn proper serving sizes, discover healthy fast food options, and learn how to prepare nutritious snacks. The students also host community health fairs to engage other students in the program, and even grow their own fruits and vegetables that they sell or give away with nutrition education materials they have designed.

"These fifty grants represent the type of activities the ADA Foundation believes hold the greatest potential to have a positive impact on young people's nutrition and physical activity," said registered dietitian Stella Cash, chair of the ADA Foundation.

Any community-based, nonprofit organization or agency is eligible to apply in this annual program for one of 50 grants of up to $10,000 each. Preschools, as well as elementary, middle and high schools are eligible. Among the requirements for receiving a General mills Champions grant was that the program must include a strong nutrition education component and that a registered dietician be an integral part of the program's planning and program activities.

Information on the General Mills Champions program, grant applications, best practices and model programs that can be adopted by any organization are available at www.generalmills.com/foundation. Additional information on the Presidential Active Lifestyle Awards can be found at http://www.presidentschallenge.org/.

General Mills is a leading global manufacturer and marketer of consumer foods products. Its global brand portfolio includes Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Green Giant, Häagen-Dazs, Old El Paso and more. It also has more than 100 U.S. consumer brands, more than 30 of which generate annual retail sales in excess of $100 million each. General Mills is also a leading supplier of baking and other food products to the foodservice and commercial baking industries.

The American Dietetic Association Foundation is the philanthropic arm of ADA. It is a 501(c)(3) charity devoted exclusively to nutrition and dietetics. The Foundation funds scholarships and awards, education and research projects, and ADA strategic initiatives that promote optimal nutrition health and well-being of the public. It is the largest provider of scholarships and awards in the field of dietetics.

The President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports (PCPFS) serves as a catalyst to promote, encourage and motivate Americans of all ages to become and stay physically active, fit, and healthy. The President's Challenge Physical Activity and Fitness Awards Program (the President's Challenge), a long-standing program of the PCPFS, motivates more than 5 million youth each year to be physically fit and active and awards them presidential recognition for their commitment.

2003 General Mills Champions Grant Winners: