\nThe Full Futures partnership is celebrating three years of positive impact on school nutrition. Launched in 2021 by The Campbell\u2019s Company (Campbell\u2019s) and public, private and nonprofit partners including lead partner Alliance for a Healthier Generation, Full Futures is an initiative to foster a school nutrition environment that ensures all students are well-nourished and ready to thrive at school and in life. The program started with the Camden City School District in Camden, N.J. and has grown to three sites with the addition of Charlotte, N.C. and Hanover, P.A.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cThe progress of Full Futures is only possible through the power of collaboration,\u201d said Kate Barrett, President of The Campbell\u2019s Foundation and Director, Campbell\u2019s Community Affairs. \u201cSchools are more than just places of learning; they\u2019re community hubs that play an essential role in feeding and caring for students and families. Our district and nonprofit partners are the core of this effort, working together to make a lasting impact on the school community.\u201d<\/p>\n
A Holistic Approach to School Nutrition<\/b><\/p>\n
\nIn its third year, Full Futures reached over 12,000 students, caregivers and school staff in schools across Camden, N.J. and Charlotte, N.C. The program takes a comprehensive approach to school nutrition, focusing on four key pillars:<\/p>\n
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- \nCulture: Building a foundation of healthy habits through policies, programs and partnerships.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \nInfrastructure: Providing schools with the equipment and training needed to serve nutritious meals and teach about nutrition.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \nNutrition education: Empowering students and families with knowledge about healthy eating.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \nFood access: Expanding year-round access to nourishing food, both within schools and throughout communities.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n\u201cFull Futures is a shining example of how public-private partnerships can drive meaningful change in school nutrition,\u201d said Kathy Higgins, Chief Executive Officer, Alliance for a Healthier Generation. \u201cThis initiative demonstrates how our local efforts can grow into a larger movement for equitable whole child health. We look forward to further collaboration with Campbell\u2019s to meet the essential nutrition needs of students and their families, so they can live healthy and happy lives.”<\/p>\n
Camden Program Highlights<\/b><\/p>\n
\nFull Futures Camden made significant strides to support menu change and nutrition education during its third year. Key achievements include:<\/p>\n
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- \nMonthly farmers\u2019 markets hosted at district schools to connect communities with fresh, local produce, distributing 37,000 pounds of food<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \nNew School Nutrition Student Ambassador program launched to engage students in food preparation, gardening and community outreach, promoting healthy eating and sustainability<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \nCulinary staff professional development and training for food service and student workers to enhance meal quality and creativity<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \nRecipe development that incorporates delicious and nutritious options into school menus, including \u201cTryDay Friday\u201d tastings to introduce students to new recipes<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \nCooking Matters classes for kids and families to learn about nutrition, prepare healthy meals and build lifelong healthy habits<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n\u201cIt truly takes a village to accomplish the critical work we’re doing, and I’m incredibly grateful for the strong partnerships we’ve built to support the children of Camden,\u201d said Arlethia Brown, Senior Director of School Nutrition, Camden City School District. \u201cThe power of collaboration allows us to provide not just meals, but opportunities for growth, learning, and well-being. Together we’re proving that school meals are more than just food they’re a foundation for brighter futures.\u201d<\/p>\n
Charlotte Program Highlights<\/b><\/p>\n
\nIn its second program year, Full Futures Charlotte continued to support culinary and agriculture education for students of all ages. Key achievements include:<\/p>\n
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- \nAquaponics and hydroponics system installations and related curriculum, providing over 1,500 students with hands-on learning experiences<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \nFamily Nutrition Nights promoting healthy eating habits and fostering community connections through interactive activities and free produce<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \nFarm-to-school internships to provide high school students with valuable professional experience related to sustainable agriculture and culinary arts<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \nNutrition education at mobile farmers markets with hands-on cooking demonstrations and nutrition education, focusing on food preparation, storage and label reading<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \nStudent field trips and hands-on cooking lessons, empowering students to make informed food choices, develop culinary skills and understand the importance of sustainable food practices<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n\u201cThe Full Futures partnership has allowed us to implement career awareness and readiness through field trips, guest speakers and internships in agriculture and nutrition fields,\u201d said Deepal Patel, Culinary Arts, Agriculture, Hospitality and Tourism Curriculum Coordinator at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. \u201cOur students are also learning about sustainable farming, growing healthy produce in small spaces with innovative technology, and giving them the opportunities to practice nutritious recipes in culinary classrooms.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nThe Full Futures program expanded to Hanover, P.A. during the 2023\u20132024 school year as a planning year with the South Western School District and numerous community partners. Looking ahead, the partners will officially launch the program in the 2024-2025 school year. The focus will be on increasing family engagement around nutrition and healthy eating, increasing access to fresh and local foods at school, and supporting curriculum development and common language for nutrition education across the community.<\/p>\n
\nProgram partners across all three locations have been instrumental in the success of Full Futures. They include Camden City School District, Whitson\u2019s Culinary Group, New Jersey American Water, Wellness in the Schools, Center for Family Services, Food Bank of South Jersey, The Common Market, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, 100 Gardens, The Bulb, South Western School District, and York County Food Bank. National partner Alliance for a Healthier Generation provides essential coordination and support for these sites, while Campbell\u2019s leverages its resources to fund and sustain this vital work.<\/p>\n
\nAn important goal of the program is to document lessons learned and best practices to create a comprehensive program roadmap to enable other communities to implement similar initiatives and improve school nutrition nationwide.<\/p>\n
\nLearn more in the Full Futures Year 3 Impact Report<\/a>.<\/p>\n
About The Campbell\u2019s Company<\/b><\/p>\n
\nFor 155 years, The Campbell\u2019s Company (NASDAQ:CPB) (Campbell\u2019s) has been connecting people through food they love. Headquartered in Camden, N.J. since 1869, generations of consumers have trusted us to provide delicious and affordable food and beverages. Today, the company is a North American focused brand powerhouse, generating fiscal 2024 net sales of $9.6 billion across two divisions: Meals & Beverages and Snacks. Our portfolio of 16 leadership brands includes Campbell\u2019s<\/i>, Cape Cod<\/i>, Chunky<\/i>, Goldfish<\/i>, Kettle Brand<\/i>, Lance<\/i>, Late July<\/i>, Pace<\/i>, Pacific Foods<\/i>, Pepperidge Farm<\/i>, Prego<\/i>, Rao\u2019s<\/i>, Snack Factory<\/i>, Snyder\u2019s of Hanover<\/i>, Swanson <\/i>and V8<\/i>. For more information, visit thecampbellscompany.com<\/a><\/p>\n
About Alliance for a Healthier Generation<\/b><\/p>\n
\nAlliance for a Healthier Generation is a leading children’s health organization that advances equitable whole child health. Driven by our passion to ensure that every mind, every body, and every young person is healthy and ready to succeed, our work has reached over 31 million young people and 56,000 schools across the country. To learn more and help make a difference, visit HealthierGeneration.org<\/a> and join us on Facebook<\/a>, X<\/a>, and Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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View source version on businesswire.com: <\/span>https:\/\/www.businesswire.com\/news\/home\/20241217937315\/en\/<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n
MEDIA CONTACTS:
\n<\/span>
Campbell\u2019s
\n<\/b>
James Regan
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James_Regan@campbells.com
\n<\/a><\/p>\nHealthier Generation
\n<\/b>
Audrey Rodriguez
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Audrey.Rodriguez@healthiergeneration.org<\/a><\/p>\nKEYWORDS:<\/b> North Carolina Pennsylvania New Jersey United States North America<\/p>\n
INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:<\/b> Primary\/Secondary Education Retail Health Fitness & Nutrition Food\/Beverage<\/p>\n
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