United States-based food service company Aramark released a report detailing its progress toward the Healthy for Life initiative it launched in partnership with the American Heart Association (AHA). The goals of the initiative are for Aramark’s menus to achieve a 20-percent reduction in calories, saturated fats, and sodium, as well as a 20-percent increase in fruit, vegetables, and whole grains, with an impact of 10 billion meals served by the year 2020. Within the first year, Aramark—which provides food services to cafeterias in hospitals, universities, and offices nationwide—reports that more than 30-percent of its menus offer vegan and vegetarian main dishes. “This proves that our work is truly advancing the health of Americans and we look forward to continuing this great work in the coming years,” AHA CEO Nancy Brown said. Wellness education programs for underserved populations are also part of the initiative, and in the first year Aramark reports that targeted communities in Chicago, Houston, and Philadelphia have increased their consumption of fruit and vegetables by one cup per day. Similarly, multi-national food service corporation Compass Group partnered with vegan company Hampton Creek in 2015 to bring Just Cookies and Just Mayo to college campuses nationwide.

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