NEWS

WIRES

OTHER

The Walmart Foundation Donates $9.5 Million to Help U.S. Families Access the Information Needed to Live Healthier Lives

BENTONVILLE, Ark., Feb. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Walmart Foundation announced $9.5 million in grants to organizations with a shared mission of promoting healthy eating habits. The funding will support nutrition education programs, provide classes focused on learning to cook and shop for healthier foods on a budget and provide live cooking demonstrations in communities nationwide.

In January 2011, Walmart, alongside First Lady Michelle Obama, announced an initiative to provide customers with healthier and more affordable food choices. This effort includes a commitment to increase funding for nutrition programs that help educate consumers about healthier food choices.

"We want to help our customers make healthier decisions whether that's through their in-store experience at Walmart or through taking a class focused on nutrition education," said Andrea Thomas, senior vice president of sustainability at Walmart. "The grants we're announcing today will give thousands of Americans access to nutrition education classes, cooking demonstrations and nutritional recipes--essential tools to living a healthier life."

Through today's announcement, which includes grants to organizations like Share Our Strength, the National 4-H Council and Action for Healthy Kids, the Walmart Foundation plans to reach nearly 300,000 people across the nation:

    Nonprofit               Grant Overview
    ---------               --------------
    Action for Healthy Kids                                                                                        $1.5 million to help increase access to healthy food and improve nutrition education at 400 schools nationwide. Program expects to increase access to nutrition programs to 160,000 school-age children.
    -----------------------                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                --------------------------------
    American Medical
     Association Foundation                                                                                                                                                                            $300,000 to expand nutrition and health programs at 11 free clinics nationwide, serving more than 7,000 individuals.
    -----------------------                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                --------------------------------
    Children's Health Fund                                                                                      $1.3 million to enhance obesity screening and nutritional counseling to 10,000 low-income and homeless children in six states and provide ongoing nutritional education through the Starting Right program.
    ----------------------                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 --------------------------------
    League of United Latin
     American Citizens                                                                                                                                                   $500,000 to support healthy living education courses and community health festivals. The program is expected to reach more than 8,000 individuals.
    ----------------------                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 --------------------------------
    National Black Child
     Development Institute                                                                                                                                                  $300,000 to provide nutrition education to African-American families with young children in five cities, serving more than 10,000 participants.
    ----------------------                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 --------------------------------
    National 4-H Council                                                         $1.35 million to deliver healthy living education to 40,000 youth in 15 states through Youth Voice: Youth Choice program. State councils will also be encouraged to develop healthy living action plans to combat unhealthy eating habits.
    --------------------                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  ---------------------------------
    National Latino
     Children's Institute                                                                                                                                                              $225,000 to encourage healthy nutrition practices and help prevent chronic disease among 5,000 Hispanic children and their families.
    ---------------------                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  --------------------------------
    Oldways                                                                                                                     $100,000 to encourage dietary changes in the African-American community through Oldways' African Heritage Diet program. The program will provide nutrition education to 4,000 participants.
    -------                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                --------------------------------
    Share Our Strength      $4 million to provide grocery store tours to 7,500 participants through Shopping Matters which helps low-income families learn how to shop healthy on a budget. 31,000 participants will also be reached through Cooking Matters, a six-week course on how to cook healthier meals on a budget.

    ---

As part of Walmart's efforts, it has tapped the knowledge and expertise of award-winning nutritionist and author, Dr. Ro (Rovenia Brock, Ph. D.), known for providing a unique brand of inspiration, nutrition education, and health advice to help Americans develop better, more nutritious eating habits.

"Nutrition education plays a vital role in helping families break bad health habits' from eating comfort foods to resisting exercise," said Dr. Ro, bestselling author of Dr. Ro's Ten Secrets to Livin' Healthy. "As we tackle the issue of obesity in this country, every family must take a step back and look at what they are putting on the table for their children. Eating better today can help reduce the likelihood that your child will suffer from chronic health problems later in life."

To learn more about Walmart's commitment to nutrition education, visit: http://www.walmartstores.com/healthyliving

About Philanthropy at Walmart
Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are proud to support initiatives that are helping people live better around the globe. In May 2010, Walmart and its Foundation made a historic pledge of $2 billion through 2015 to fight hunger in the U.S. The Walmart Foundation also supports education, workforce development, environmental sustainability, and health and wellness initiatives. To learn more, visit www.walmartfoundation.org.

SOURCE Walmart Foundation