At the same time, across many of the countries in which Aramark operates, thousands of employees have come together on the same day to deliver local community projects also based on the theme of “Inspiring kids to be healthy for life”. The theme was chosen in recognition of the growing problem of obesity across the world and the need to provide improved awareness of healthier lifestyles.
In the UK, the day, held on 19 March, saw Aramark employee volunteers join forces to give their time to four schools across the country, for a day of healthy food and nutrition education, games, quizzes, art and fun physical exercise. In total, around 1,000 children took part.
At Sebright School in Hackney, and St Clare’s School in Birmingham, Aramark partnered with Cuty Year UK, part of the international volunteering charity, City Year, for a day of activities including physical training, an obstacle course and ‘make your own healthy packed lunch’. Children could also take home ingredients and a recipe for a healthy meal to cook with their families back at home.
At Treloars School and College in Alton, Hampshire, a specialist school for physically disabled students, the Aramark team’s activities included building a herb garden and a ‘Ready Steady Cook’-style healthy cooking competition.
And at Stoneywood Primary School in Aberdeen, close to the company’s Scotland and Offshore head office, activities ranged from making healthy packed lunches, to games and quizzes, and developing vegetable and herb gardens.
“This is a unique venture on an international scale, building on Aramark’s culture of service, community and doing the right thing”, said Andrew Main, Aramark’s UK chief executive, who volunteered at Sebright School. “As one of the world’s largest food service companies, serving more than 2 billion meals to customers each year across the globe, we see the importance of educating people to make healthier choices and we understand our responsibility to help make that happen.
“Aramark’s mission is to ‘deliver experiences that enrich and nourish lives’. That’s much more than just words - we have seen it come to life today as, pausing from the day job, my colleagues and I have seen children around the country be really excited by the idea of healthier living. I know our Aramark volunteer teams have also found it an extremely rewarding experience.”