Sodexo Applauds New Bill Boost to the Health and Quality of School Nutrition Programs

GAITHERSBURG, Md., Dec. 6, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Sodexo applauds the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act, which Congress passed paving the way for more children to get healthy, nutritious school meals and to fight childhood obesity.

"This legislation will significantly improve the health, quality and wellness of school nutrition programs," said Lorna Donatone, Sodexo education president and chief operating officer. "Sodexo is a committed partner in First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move initiative to end childhood obesity in this generation and this bill supports the work we've been doing to promote student well-being by improving nutritional content and creating healthy learning environments."

The new legislation increases the funding available to local school districts through a program administered through the United States Department of Agriculture to increase student access to nutritious school meals.  Sodexo encourages eligible parents to sign up. Parents can sign up any time throughout the school year for the program.

"The national free and reduced price school meals program is a tremendous asset for families that could use a little help, but unfortunately many parents don't know about the program or how to register for it," said Steve Dunmore, Sodexo president education-schools. "We encourage parents who want to enroll in school meal programs to speak to the Sodexo manager at their school district." Sodexo regularly works with its school district partners to encourage parents to enroll in school nutrition programs through parent meetings and school events.

The USDA created the free and reduced price school meals program to ensure that no child goes without food during the school day. Sodexo works with more than 480 partner school districts across the United States to raise awareness of the National School Lunch Program.

The USDA has a website dedicated specifically to the free and reduced price school meals program. The site, http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/frp/frp.process.htm, includes information about income eligibility guidelines and includes downloadable application forms.

Sodexo is committed to take measurable sustainable actions that ensure a brighter future in the areas of health and wellness, environmental stewardship and community development. Sodexo focuses on nutrition, achievement, environment, community and activity to promote student well-being.

About Sodexo

Sodexo in North America

Sodexo, Inc. (www.sodexoUSA.com), leading Quality of Daily Life Solutions company in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, delivers On Site Service Solutions in Corporate, Education, Health Care, Government, and Remote Site segments, as well as Motivation Solutions such as Esteem Pass. Sodexo, Inc., headquartered in Gaithersburg, Md., funds all administrative costs for the Sodexo Foundation (www.SodexoFoundation.org), an independent charitable organization that, since its founding in 1999, has made more than $13 million in grants to fight hunger in America. Visit the corporate blog at www.sodexoUSA.com/blog.

Sodexo, world leader in Quality of Daily Life Solutions

Quality of Life plays an important role in the progress of individuals and the performance of organizations.  Based on this conviction, Sodexo is the strategic partner for companies and institutions that place a premium on performance and well-being, as it has since Pierre Bellon founded the company in 1966. Sharing the same passion for service, Sodexo's 380,000 employees, in 80 countries design, manage and deliver an unrivaled range of On-site Service Solutions and Motivation Solutions. Sodexo has created a new form of service business that contributes to the economic, social and environmental development of the communities, regions and countries in which it operates and to the fulfillment of its employees.

Key Figures (as of August 31, 2009)

SOURCE Sodexo

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