CHARLOTTE, NC (September 6, 2011)—Compass Group has signed on as a ‘National Strategic Partner’ in the USDA’s Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion (CNPP) Nutrition Communicators Network. As national partner in the network, Compass Group will work with USDA to get the message out to customers about MyPlate and the Dietary Guidelines. The company will also work directly with CNPP to develop and execute a joint strategic nutrition promotion plan.
Compass Group is the first, and the only to date, contract foodservice company to commit to this partnership. With over 10,000 accounts across the country, Compass Group serves over six million meals a day.
September marks the start of a coordinated messaging approach to help USDA amplify its reach. The first of these messages, “Make half of your plate fruits and vegetables” focuses on the fact that most Americans would benefit from eating more fruits and vegetables at every meal.
In tandem with this messaging, Compass Group will leverage its ‘Eat Local’ campaign in support. Building upon a decade of supporting Eat Local initiatives (defined as grown or produced within 150 miles), Compass Group kicks off their campaign - ‘Eat Local –Get Closer to Your Food’ – beginning in September, and continues throughout the growing season. Cafes around the country feature locally grown produce, conduct on-site farmers markets, sponsor farm tours and promote selections that featured local ingredients in an effort to provide visibility to the many benefits of buying locally. The goal of this campaign is to support the viability of the mid-sized American family farmer and local communities by promoting local produce and creating awareness of its many health benefits. Last year, the company bought $21.9 million in local products.
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