Vancouver, B.C., August 19, 2011 – In Northeast Vancouver, availability and access to nutritious food is an issue that impacts every generation of residents. ARAMARK, the global professional services company, is partnering with the Association of Neighbourhood Houses of British Columbia (ANHBC) to provide an inter-generational health and wellness program to help address this issue.
A team of ARAMARK volunteers kicked off this new relationship today, enhancing the center’s facilities by creating a community food garden, improving the senior citizens’ dining facilities, cleaning and renovating the kitchen and refurbishing the children’s multipurpose play areas at the ANHBC Frog Hollow Neighborhood House.
The new community garden will be central to a series of health and wellness programs that will take place at the center through ARAMARK Building Community, the company’s signature philanthropic and volunteer initiative, which enriches the lives of families by strengthening local community centers. ARAMARK develops long-term partnerships with organizations, like ANHBC, to improve facilities, prepare youth and adults for careers and connect them to the workforce, and encourage healthy lifestyles through health and wellness education and awareness.
“Working with ARAMARK will help us to continue to build strong, vibrant neighborhood spaces like Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House, where people of any age can take advantage of the nutrition and other programs, ” said Mamie Hutt-Temoana, CEO of ANHBC.
Senior citizens and residents of the nearby Social Housing Development will tend the gardens, and be part of an inter-generational program to teach young people how to grow and prepare the food. Senior citizens will benefit from the exercise that the gardening will provide, and young people will benefit from the experience of the older residents. The partnership will continue throughout the year, with ARAMARK expert dietitians, chefs and culinary professionals providing nutrition education for children and adults.
“Our work here today, and our ongoing health and wellness program support we can help provide, will make an impact in this community for a long time,” said Glenn Templeton, Regional Director of Operations, Business Dining Services, ARAMARK Western Canada. “Our focus on communities is about connecting the power and enthusiasm of our employee volunteers while linking our expertise and resources to help organizations like Frog Hollow succeed.”
“Nothing of this caliber has ever been carried out in Vancouver and we are so proud to be part of this new ARAMARK partnership and tradition that will only serve to better neighbourhoods for all residents,” said Hutt-Temoana.
Northeast Vancouver, where Frog Hollow is located, is an economically challenged area that has been hard hit by the recession. Education rates are lower than the average in the rest of the city. Many families live in multi-generational homes, and rental and housing costs are very high in Vancouver, which impacts the neighborhood and creates challenges for families trying to purchase good quality, nutritious food for their families.
ARAMARK Building Community supports local community centers and the important role they play in strengthening communities and families. The company provides a range of resources including grants, volunteers and in-kind contributions. By the end of 2011 ARAMARK Building Community will be in more than 50 cities impacting more than 2.5 million individuals and families in the US and abroad.
About About The Association of Neighbourhood Houses of BC
The Association of Neighbourhood Houses of British Columbia provides innovative and inclusive programs that engage people to live healthy, full lives, and create vibrant neighborhoods. It serves approximately 100,000 people each year.
About ARAMARK
ARAMARK is a leader in professional services, providing award-winning food services, facilities management, and uniform and career apparel to health care institutions, universities and school districts, stadiums and arenas, and businesses around the world. The company is recognized as one of the "World's Most Ethical Companies" by the Ethisphere Institute, as the industry leader in FORTUNE magazine's "World's Most Admired Companies," and as one of America's Largest Private Companies by both FORTUNE and Forbes magazines. ARAMARK seeks to responsibly address issues that matter to its clients, customers, employees and communities by focusing on employee advocacy, environmental stewardship, health and wellness, and community involvement. Headquartered in Philadelphia, ARAMARK has approximately 255,000 employees serving clients in 22 countries. Learn more at www.twitter.com/aramarknews.
Contacts:
Mary Rucci
215-238-7110
rucci-mary@aramark.com