U.S. Foodservice Joins First Lady's Campaign to Reduce Childhood Obesity

WASHINGTON, June 4 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. Foodservice today answered First Lady Michelle Obama's call to help schools promote healthy eating habits as part of the "Chefs Move to Schools" initiative.  The program, run through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, allows chefs to adopt K-12 schools across the United States to help reduce childhood obesity.

U.S. Foodservice Corporate Chef Marty Bermpohl joined Mrs. Obama on the South Lawn of The White House this morning to launch the program. Bermpohl is adopting a school in the Washington, D.C. area, and will work with students, teachers, parents, school nutritionists and administrators to re-build menus, cook, educate and help improve food and nutrition in a fun and appealing way.  

"As a leader in the foodservice distribution industry, U.S. Foodservice is in an ideal position to help schools develop healthier and more nutritious school lunches for the nation's children," Bermpohl said. "This is a great idea and we applaud the First Lady for making Chefs Move to Schools a key part of the solution to reducing childhood obesity."

U.S. Foodservice was recently featured on ABC's "Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution" as one of the nation's leading suppliers of fresh produce and meats to public and private schools. The company also distributes food and related products to restaurants, hospitals, colleges and universities, hotels, military bases and other facilities. 

More than 31 million children participate in the National School Lunch Program and more than 11 million participate in the National School Breakfast Program.  By joining the Chefs Move to Schools initiative, U.S. Foodservice hopes to help improve the nutritional value of the food many of these students consume.  

About U.S. Foodservice

U.S. Foodservice is one of the country's premier foodservice distributors, offering more than 43,000 national, private label and signature brand items and an array of services to its more than 250,000 customers. The company proudly employs 25,000 associates in more than 60 locations nationwide who are poised to serve customers beyond their expectations. As an industry leader, with access to resources beyond the ordinary, U.S. Foodservice provides the finest quality food and related products to neighborhood restaurants, hospitals, schools, colleges and universities, hotels, government entities and other eating establishments. To find out how U.S. Foodservice can be Your partner beyond the plate®, visit www.usfoodservice.com.

SOURCE U.S. Foodservice