Kraft Foods expands Salsa, Sabor y Salud program.

Small changes can bring big success.  And small changes start at home with the family.  That’s the inspiration for the Kraft Foods Foundation three-year, $1.5 million partnership with the National Latino Children’s Institute (NLCI) and YMCA of the USA to expand the successful Salsa, Sabor y Salud (Food, Fun and Fitness) healthy lifestyles program.

Kraft Foods has invested more than $6 million in the program over the past eight years in collaboration with NLCI, helping reach more than 32,000 Latinos across the United States.  Now, Kraft Foods Foundation is stepping up its efforts to make a delicious difference in communities through the collaboration with NLCI and the Y.  Through the expanded program, the three partners hope to reach up to 13,000 Latinos in 130 communities over the next three years.

Through the work with NLCI and the Y, the Kraft Foods Foundation is bringing a unique solution to help address the growing obesity rates and levels of inactivity in Latino children.  NLCI is the only national organization that concentrates exclusively on young Latinos and is committed to working within the community to find solutions to the challenges they face.  The Y is committed to helping more kids reach their potential, helping more families and individuals achieve better health outcomes, and encouraging everyone to get involved and make the community a better place.  The Y is an ideal partner for the program because they have the presence and expertise to mobilize communities for positive change.

The program kicks off in January 2011 at Ys in Belleville, Ill.; Dallas; Denver; Elgin, Ill.; Houston; Long Beach, Calif.; Longmont, Colo.; New York; Tampa, Fla; and Worcester, Mass.  The program will expand to 130 Ys nationwide by 2012.  

“Salsa, Sabor y Salud is just one of the ways Kraft Foods and its Foundation are delivering on our commitment to health and wellness.  Promoting healthy lifestyles is critical to that commitment,” said Rhonda Jordan, President of Global Health & Wellness at Kraft Foods.  “Latino children are at greater risk for childhood obesity.  Through our partnership with NLCI and the Y, we’ll be able to get even more Latino families involved in this award-winning program and, importantly, help them lead healthier lives.”

Sylvia Melendez-Klinger, registered dietician and well-known Latino health expert, is helping spread the word about the Salsa, Sabor y Salud program, highlighting the new partnership during Hispanic Heritage Month and National Childhood Obesity Awareness month.  

“Childhood obesity among Latinos is an issue that demands ongoing attention, education and advocacy,” said Sylvia Melendez-Klinger. “What I like about the Salsa, Sabor y Salud program is that it offers healthier food choices compatible with the lifestyle and cuisine of Latino families while bringing families together for fun physical activities.”