Danone UK (Dairy and Water) developed an educational programme called ‘Eat Like A Champ (ELAC)’ to promote healthy eating and drinking habits among English school children.
ELAC is a six lesson plan with a focus on a specific topic each week including Nutrients and Water. Not only is ELAC designed to be consistent with official nutritional guidance and the national curriculum, it is also designed with children in mind. The lessons feature specially designed characters, incorporate videos featuring the ambassador Helen Skelton as well as games and activities like food tastings and supermarket visits.
More than 50% of UK Danone employees volunteered of which 95% gave positive feedback on this activity in the ‘Great Place to Work’ survey. The project has grown from 25 London schools in 2010 to now 1,500 classes across the UK (reaching over 40,000 children each year).
An independent scientific impact study has shown that the course has a positive impact on the eating patterns of the children who take part in it.
ELAC has won several awards including the Business ‘In The Community Big Tick Award’ in 2012.
