The Alliance believes that companies can be socially responsible while continuing to be profitable. Therefore, we are engaging in discussions with a range of industry segments – food, beverage, restaurant, fitness, entertainment, gaming, etc. – to create agreements that improve children’s access to healthier foods and encourage physical activity.

The School Beverage Guidelines, created with Cadbury Schweppes, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and the American Beverage Association, comprise the Alliance’s first industry agreement. This landmark agreement, which affects close to 35 million students across the country, establishes scientifically based guidelines for limiting portion size, increasing nutrient content and reducing calories available in beverages sold to students.

To date, the existing Alliance School Beverage, Dairy and Competitive Food Agreements are moving the needle by accelerating the shift to lower-calorie and more nutritious beverages and snacks that children consume during the regular and extended school day. During the first year of implementation, the Alliance Beverage Guidelines resulted in a 45% decrease in full-calorie drink sales with a 23% increase in water sales in schools nationwide. These agreements are the first-ever voluntary guidelines for snacks and side items sold in schools that are providing healthier food choices for nearly 35 million American students.

The Alliance Competitive Food Guidelines, created with Campbell Soup Company, Dannon, Kraft Foods, Mars and PepsiCo, are the first-ever voluntary guidelines for snacks and side items sold in schools that will provide healthier food choices for the nation’s children.

The Alliance continues to work with the food, beverage, restaurant, fitness and health industries to improve healthy options available to children.