Mondelez Foundation unveils new, expanded wellness initiatives

DEERFIELD, Ill. — The Mondelēz International Foundation announced Thursday a new push for wellness in three countries as part of its $50 million commitment to promoting healthy lifestyles.

The foundation has launched or expanded nutrition education, active play and fresh food programs in the U.S., South Africa and Mexico — three countries with high rates of obesity. The expansions increase the reach of the foundation’s efforts to 14 countries and more than 1 million people as part of Mondelēz International’s Call For Well-being.

“The three new well-being programs build on our ongoing commitment to community well-being and the fight against obesity, particularly among children. They are perfectly aligned with United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals in the areas of addressing malnutrition and promoting good health and well-being,” Mondelēz International Foundation president Nicole Robinson said. “As many schools begin a new term, we’ll be working alongside our community partners, teachers and parents to establish the foundation for a healthy school year by promoting nutrition basics, encouraging active lifestyles and expanding access to nutritious foods.”

In the U.S. the foundation has expanded its After-School All Stars middle school program to include cooking classes and nutrition education, as well as urban gardening and BMI tracking as part of its program evaluation. The U.S. program will reach 150 schools in 12 locations. Mexico’s Save the Children effort promotes nutrition education and physical activity among children ages 2-13. In South Africa, the foundation is looking to reach up to 75,000 people in 100 schools with its INMED Partnerships for Children program, which saw success in Brazil with school-based gardens.

“We’re proud to partner with the Mondelēz International Foundation to prioritize well-being in South African communities and schools,” INMED Partnerships for Children president and CEO Linda Pfeiffer said. “Through our work with the Foundation in Brazil, we’ve seen 65 percent of the children improve their BMI and approximately one-third of these children achieve a normal BMI. In South Africa, we’re hoping to achieve similar results through collaborative partnerships among school administrators, local governments, non-governmental organizations and communities.”