The Dannon Company, Inc. has awarded the first-ever Dannon Next Generation Nutrition Grants to address the need for educating children about healthy eating practices and proper nutrition.

The Dannon Company established the Dannon Next Generation Nutrition Grants in 2006 to promote childhood nutrition education and contribute up to $120,000 to four nonprofit organizations that operate in communities where a Dannon facility is located. Each organization developed a program that nurtures healthy eating habits among children in the community and encourages children to develop life-long habits for good nutrition and exercise.

Results from the 2003–2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), showed that an estimated 66 percent of U.S. adults were either overweight or obese and 17 percent of children and adolescents (ages 2 to 19) were overweight. Trends indicate that these numbers are climbing. Dannon hopes to curb this trend by supporting youth education programs that provide long-term, grassroots solutions.

Dannon Next Generation Nutrition Grants provided needed funding to non-profit organizations in or near White Plains, NY; Minster, OH; Fort Worth, TX; and West Jordan, UT, where Dannon headquarters or production facilities are located.

The 2006 Dannon Next Generation Nutrition grant winners include:

• Westchester County, NY - Hudson River Healthcare received $29,600 in support of its Rx for Fitness program. This program will guide children and their caregivers on how to improve eating, food purchasing and physical activity patterns and habits through weekly interactive educational lessons.
• Ft. Worth, TX - Big Brothers, Big Sisters of North Texas (BBBSNT) received a grant of $28,760, in support of its Eating Well-Together program. With Texas ranking highest in obesity rates among all the states, the Eating Well-Together program will use a mentorship approach to provide nutrition education and long-term encouragement to improve eating habits and healthy living practices.
• Minster, OH - Auglaize/Mercer Counties YMCA and Minster Local School District received $30,000 in support of Fit to Achieve: Good Decisions for Life, a children's nutrition education program that will involve several local community partners to promote positive attitudes about nutrition and healthy eating for 887 students in first through twelfth grade. Students will set personal goals for nutrition and physical activities and win accolades for active participation in school programs such as the Feelin' Good Mileage Club, Dietary Journal, and Nutrition Olympics.
• West Jordan, UT - Salt Lake County 4-H Youth Development Program received a grant of approximately $26,200 in support of its 4-H TRY (Teens Reaching Youth) Nutrition Education Program. Forty local teens, trained in healthy nutrition practices by Utah State University staff, will teach approximately 200 children (grades K–5) about good nutrition and healthy lifestyle habits.
  

"Dannon's role in society extends far beyond the production of healthy, delicious foods. Through the Dannon Next Generation Nutrition Grants, Dannon is pleased to take a more active role in the communities in which it operates," said Gayle Binney, Manager, Corporate Responsibility for The Dannon Company. "This year's grant winners have created programs that are closely aligned with Dannon's mission of helping to create healthier, happier communities and families."

Each grant winner recently received a check at a grant presentation ceremony held by Dannon, where community leaders and public officials also gathered to recognize the programs being awarded and the importance of the Dannon Next Generation Nutrition Grant to each community. Dannon plans to award its Dannon Next Generation Nutrition Grants to non-profit organizations in or near White Plains, NY; Minster, OH; Fort Worth, TX; and West Jordan, UT, each year.

About Hudson River HealthCare
Hudson River HealthCare is a not-for-profit, New York-state licensed, community and migrant health center providing innovative programs and comprehensive services to medically underserved populations throughout southeastern New York. To meet the growing needs of the Hudson Valley's uniquely diverse populations, Hudson River HealthCare includes thirteen health center sites and mobile healthcare services delivering comprehensive primary, preventive and behavioral healthcare throughout a nine county region to more than 42,000 people through 186,000 visits. Hudson River HealthCare's mission is to increase access to comprehensive primary and preventive health care and to improve the health status of our community, especially for the underserved and vulnerable. For more information, visit www.hrhcare.org.

About Auglaize/Mercer Counties Family YMCA and Minster Local School District
Committed to building strong kids, strong families and strong communities, the Auglaize/Mercer Counties Family YMCA is in its 23rd year of service in the Auglaize and Mercer Counties area. The Minster Local School District is a public school district located in southern Auglaize County in Minster, Ohio, serving 958 students in kindergarten through twelfth grades.

About Big Brothers, Big Sisters of North Texas
Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Texas is a volunteer organization that provides children support, guidance, friendship and fun by matching them to adult role models. The agency's mission is to enrich, encourage and empower children to reach their highest potential through safe, positive one-to-one mentoring relationships. Big Brothers Big Sisters serves this mission through a professional staff that carefully works with both the volunteers and the children to ensure that the experience of Big Brothers Big Sisters is dynamic, fulfilling, memorable and fun for both the child and the volunteer. For more information on Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Texas, log onto www.bbbsnt.org or call 888-887-2447(BIGS).

About 4-H
4-H is a national youth development program for children that has been in existence for over 100 years. Annually, more than 6.5 million young people are involved in 4-H. Emphasizing "learning by doing," 4-H is dedicated to the growth and development of boys and girls, ages 5-18, of all backgrounds whether they live in the city or on a farm.

Salt Lake County's 4-H Program is part of the 4-H Youth Development Program and its parent, the Cooperative Extension System of the United States Department of Agriculture. For more information, please visit http://www.saltlakecounty4-h.org.

About The Dannon Company, Inc.
The Dannon Company is America's founding national yogurt company and continually leverages its expertise to develop and market innovative cultured fresh dairy products in the United States. Headquartered in White Plains, NY, Dannon has plants in Minster, OH, Fort Worth, TX, and West Jordan, UT. The company produces and sells approximately 100 different types of flavors, styles and sizes of cultured fresh dairy products. Dannon is owned by Groupe Danone, one of the world's leading producers of packaged foods and beverages, and Dannon is the top-selling brand of yogurt products worldwide, sold under the names Dannon and Danone.

With a strong commitment to high-quality, wholesome, nutritious and innovative products, The Dannon Company is committed to encouraging healthy eating and living and strives to innovate with one goal in mind: to create foods for families and individuals with their health and enjoyment in mind. For more information, please visit www.dannon.com.