NFRA Program Fights Childhood Obesity

The National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA) and its partner brands are again addressing the issue of childhood obesity through the annual “Cool Food for Kids” in-school education program beginning in October.

Cool Food for Kids takes students on a print and video “farm-to-fork” journey to meet the people who produce their favorite frozen and refrigerated foods, with activities showing time-starved families how these foods can be part of a healthy diet.

Distributed to more than 20,000 U.S. elementary schools, the program’s curriculum provides in-class activities to help students learn more about nutritious food choices and the importance of daily physical exercise. For the first time, this year’s program features a whiteboard-ready online learning game designed to teach kids how to assemble a healthful meal with every food group on the MyPlate chart. Additionally, a take-home letter for parents communicates the advantages of family mealtime and offers the opportunity to take part in the Cool Food for Kids Sweepstakes on NFRA’s consumer website, for a chance to win prizes.

Additional elements of the campaign include blogging by the Cool Food Panel of food experts and dietitians, Cool Foods messaging and specially created recipes on NFRA’s Easy Home Meals social properties from NFRA spokeswoman and celebrity chef Aida Mollenkamp, and videos and recipes shared online by Cooking with Caitlin and Mr. Food’s Test Kitchen.

Harrisburg, Pa.-based NFRA, a nonprofit trade association representing all segments of the frozen and refrigerated foods industry, is also sponsor of the March Frozen Food Month, June Dairy Month and June/July Ice Cream & Novelties promotions. The organization holds the annual National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Convention in October.