News Releases & Statements
Statement by Susan Neely, American Beverage Association President and CEO Regarding the Partnership with the Alliance for a Healthier Generation on a New School Beverage Policy
Alliance for a Healthier Generation Press Conference, New York, May 3, 2006 (left to right) Don Knauss, President and CEO, Coca-Cola Company; Dawn Hudson, President and CEO, Pepsi-Cola North America; Robert Eckel, President, American Heart Association; Governor Mike Huckabee, Former President Bill Clinton; Ralph Crowley, President & CEO, Polar Beverages; Susan Neely, ABA President and CEO; Gil Cassagne, President & CEO, Cadbury Schweppes Americas Beverages
Statement by Susan Neely, American Beverage Association President and CEO Regarding the Partnership with the Alliance for a Healthier Generation on a New School Beverage Policy
WASHINGTON, D.C.- The American Beverage Association welcomes the opportunity to work with the Alliance for a Healthier Generation in providing new beverage guidelines for schools. The new guidelines will continue our industry’s work to provide more lower-calorie and nutritious beverages for students.
Limiting calories in schools is a sensible approach that acknowledges our industry’s long-standing belief that school wellness efforts must focus on teaching kids to consume a balanced diet and exercise more. Schools provide an opportunity to create a healthy environment that equips our children with these skills. Our industry will continue to do its part to contribute to that environment.
If we can help our children learn the right balance between consuming calories and burning calories, we will give them the tools to lead healthy lives. The school beverage policy contributes to giving our children these skills, particularly when coupled with greater physical education and physical activity. Children need to learn both parts of the equation in order to fully succeed in a healthy life.
We applaud the Alliance for a Healthier Generation for the comprehensive approach its Healthy Schools Program takes to school wellness. The program sets meaningful standards for nutrition, physical activity and staff wellness in our schools. Our industry is proud to be a part of this effort.
The new beverage policy builds upon the school vending policy adopted by industry last summer by offering even more lower-calorie and nutritious or functional beverages throughout schools. It continues industry’s commitment to serve parents, who told us they preferred more control over the beverage choices their children have while at school.
Our industry provides an array of beverages that fit into a healthy and active lifestyle. Consumers of all ages have long-enjoyed our beverages. We believe soft drinks can be an appropriate beverage choice of young people who are following a balanced diet. Yet, we recognize this initiative is about the unique school environment and not the products. It’s about giving students the skills to balance calories in with calories out.
Working with the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, we are taking a meaningful approach to school wellness that will have real impact on the lives of our children. Together, we’re joining in the hard work of teaching our children how to be healthy throughout life.
