ARAMARK Education Introduces New Elementary Nutrition Mascot

ACE and Friends to Campaign for Healthy Eating

In honor of School Nutrition Assocation’s National School Lunch Week, being celebrated October 13-17, 2008 with the theme, “Vote for School Lunch,” ARAMARK Education, a leader in providing food and nutrition services at more than 4,000 K-12 schools across the country, has “elected” a new elementary nutrition mascot, ACE. ARAMARK Education’s current nutrition mascot, Spike, will partner with the incumbent for this school year in delivering ARAMARK’s nutritional message and then will graduate in June 2009.

ACE and his friends, Marcus, Ana, Zack and Lucy, will campaign for healthy eating through a monthly program consisting of live shows, posters, and other materials distributed to students that communicate the importance of nutrition, exercise and getting plenty of sleep.

Developed as a result of extensive research among elementary level students aged 6-12, their parents and teachers, ACE is a friendly and energetic fox who is 11 ½ years old and in 5th grade.

“ARAMARK understands the important role that nutrition education plays in the overall health and well-being of students,” said Cathy Schlosberg, Vice President of Marketing and Strategic Development, ARAMARK Education. “ACE and his friends will engage elementary students, helping them learn how to make balanced food and lifestyle choices.”

ACE and his friends will campaign under ARAMARK’s health and wellness platform that includes:

* promoting breakfast and expanding its availability;
* reducing the use of processed foods, added fats, sugar and salt;
* eliminating added trans fats;
* sourcing high quality, local produce and products;
* offering healthy, nutrient-dense snacks;
* serving more whole grain products; and
* allowing students to select their own fruits and vegetables from new veggie and fruit stations.