Merck, Sesame Workshop give consumers 'food for thought'

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. Merck has teamed up with the nonprofit educational organization behind "Sesame Street" to develop a bilingual education outreach program aimed at helping low-income families make food choices that are affordable, nutritional and set the foundation for lifelong healthy habits.

Merck and Sesame Wokshop have developed Food for Thought: Eating Well on a Budget to address the growing concern of food insecurity and childhood obesity among Americans, the two companies said.

Through the bilingual multimedia outreach kit, the companies have created an original DVD starring the "Sesame Street" muppets that provides healthy eating messages for the entire family, as well as a short documentary of families, child-friendly recipes, a children’s story and a parent/caregiver guide that provides information about healthful eating and ways to make nutritional and economical food choices for the entire family.

In addition, Sesame Workshop and Merck will conduct community and volunteer train-the-trainer sessions, community outreach screenings and webinars directed to the child care community.

"Merck is proud to partner with Sesame Workshop on this program, as we know children cannot lead a healthy life if their basic needs are not fulfilled,” said Ellen Lambert, EVP of The Merck Company Foundation. “This effort is part of our Merck Rx to Fight Hunger initiative that supports the development, implementation and sharing of new approaches for treating and preventing hunger and malnutrition in children."