Danone North America invests in improved nutrition access and education

Danone North America is contributing US$500,000 to FoodCorps and the American Heart Association to advance nutrition information and access in the US. The investment is part of the company’s nutrition strategy to bring “health through food” to as many people as possible.

Danone supports FoodCorps’ work delivering hands-on food education and meals to students across the US. It sponsors the American Heart Association’s Healthy for Good initiative, which expands access to content that promotes simple, affordable food choices. This project highlights how ingredient swaps, like using plain, fat-free Greek yogurt instead of full-fat sour cream or mayonnaise, can help reduce saturated fat without sacrificing flavor. 

“As a leading food and beverage company, we know that we play a critical role in supporting the health of our communities across the US and Canada, which is why we’re committed to increasing access to and education about nutrient-dense food,” says Dan Magliocco, president of Danone North America. 

“We support mission-aligned organizations like FoodCorps and the American Heart Association because meaningful health outcomes happen when we work together to provide tools and education that empower lasting change.”

Student nutrition education

Danone and FoodCorps are collaborating to deliver hands-on nutrition education and nourishing foods to students, building on a 2023 commercial pilot. In the 2023–24 school year, the company helped the initiative reach over 500,000 US students with support such as cooking lessons, taste tests, and school gardens. 

The organizations will continue to conduct such programs, like a recent “Spring Festival” day in Newark, New Jersey, where more than 130 students sampled Danone’s Silk Soymilk, explored gardens, and received education. 

“We’re proud to partner with Danone, whose commitment to nutrition access and innovation mirrors our own,” says Curt Ellis, FoodCorps co-founder and CEO. “Our work together is about more than shifting what’s on the lunch tray — it’s about shifting systems and building a future where every child is nourished, supported, and equipped to make informed choices about their food.” 

FoodCorps delivers hands-on nutrition education and nourishing foods to students, such as cooking lessons and taste tests.FoodCorps and Danone are partnering on a “Return to Routine” marketing campaign through September 15. This omni-channel promotion aims to help kids and parents eat, feel, and do good with products like Silk Kids Oatmilk Blend, Happy Tot products, Too Good & Co. pouches, and Danimal drinks during the back-to-school season. 

Moreover, Danone made a US$250,000 donation to support FoodCorps’ Nourishing Futures initiative. This project aims to ensure all US students learn about food and have access to nourishing meals in school by 2030.

Healthy for Good

The American Heart Association’s Healthy for Good initiative delivers practical nutrition tips, heart-healthy recipes, and simple food guidance to communities across the US. 

By sponsoring this program, Danone helps create and promote engaging and accessible content to highlight these simple changes in everyday meals to support balanced nutrition. 

“The American Heart Association is committed to longer, healthier lives for everyone, everywhere; that starts with small steps,” says Dr. Eduardo Sanchez, chief medical officer for Prevention for the American Heart Association. 

The Healthy for Good initiative notes that using plain, fat-free Greek yogurt instead of full-fat mayonnaise can help reduce saturated fat.“Healthy for Good equips people with practical, science-based resources to live healthier every day. With the support of partners like Danone, we can reach more families with tools to eat smart, move more, and reduce stress.”

Danone Impact Journey

The company’s latest activities tie into its global Danone Impact Journey, an action plan to help improve health outcomes through access to food, nutrition science and research, and community-rooted partnerships. 

The company is also reformulating several products to improve child nutrition, such as reducing sugar in its Danimal pouches and Danonino cups and including key nutrients for growing kids in its Silk Kids Oatmilk Blend. 

In addition, Danone supports the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children to help ensure families can access nutritious options like yogurt, plant-based foods, and baby food.

Recently, Danone kicked off the “Iron Up!” program to combat iron deficiency in children, the leading cause of anemia. Under this initiative, the company aims to raise awareness of the issue, form partnerships to further its cause, and scale nutritional solutions. 

Last year, Nutrition Insight spoke with Danone’s chief scientific and medical officer about the importance of nutritional care in treating patients. The company urges patient-centric medical nutrition to become an integral part of healthcare.