Fon Mathuros, Senior Director, Head of Media, Tel.: +41 (0)79 201 0211, Email: fma@weforum.org
Metro Manila, Philippines, 22 May 2014 – TABLE FOR TWO, a global non-profit committed to tackling hunger, malnutrition and obesity, launched today its Calorie Offset programme at the World Economic Forum on East Asia, taking place in Manila on 21-23 May.
The new programme works by taking “excess” calories from the developed world and transferring them to people in need, particularly children. Companies designate healthy, low-calorie, low sugar-and-salt food products for the programme. The reduced calories are monetized in the form of donations, which are then used for agricultural training, school gardens and other sustainable initiatives to improve the production of nutritious food in developing countries. In addition to food products, the programme seeks partnerships with fitness apparel brands, sporting events and other activities that contribute to burning calories.
Calorie Offset marks a new venture for TABLE FOR TWO, which has traditionally focused on school cafeterias and restaurants. The emphasis on food products, the health fitness industry and sporting events enables a greater number of people to participate in the programme. More information about Calorie Offset is available at www.calorieoffset.jp.
“Calorie Offset is a new concept and a new unit similar to offsetting carbon emissions to reduce greenhouse gasses,” explained Masa Kogure, Executive Director of TABLE FOR TWO International. “We aim to generate a society-wide awareness of health issues and encourage an economy of self-sufficiency at the base of the pyramid. We look forward to the initiatives of the various companies participating to Calorie Offset.”
In Japan, the following companies are contributing to the programme: Lawson, Oisix, Ezaki Glico, Nagatanien and FiNC.
Takeshi Niinami, Chairman of Japanese convenience store chain Lawson and a Co-Chair of the World Economic Forum on East Asia, said the company will launch joint promotions for Calorie Offset later this year, together with manufacturers and vendors who will support the initiative.
Japanese food delivery site, Oisix, has begun selling Calorie Offset fat-free dressing, which has 42% fewer calories compared to its traditional dressing (links to some of the products can be found here). The company also has a charity campaign to support people affected by Typhoon Haiyan.
A Calorie Offset event was already been held at the Gawad Kalinga Enchanted Farm Café. Gawad Kalinga is one of the most successful NGOs in the Philippines, supporting young social entrepreneurs. Donations through Calorie Offset will be used to support sustainable school gardens and school meal programmes at primary schools in the Philippines.
The ASEAN region is a strategic priority for many companies, and Calorie Offset partners seek to expand their footprint in the Philippines and elsewhere in Asia as awareness of healthier eating habits grow.
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About TABLE FOR TWO
TABLE FOR TWO was initiated by and is an official affiliate of the Forum of Young Global Leaders. It encourages people in the developed world to eat healthily while paying for children’s school meals in developing economies.
The 23rd World Economic Forum on East Asia, hosted with the support of the Government of the Philippines, will take place in Manila on 21-23 May 2014. The theme of the meeting is Leveraging Growth for Equitable Progress.
The Co-Chairs of the World Economic Forum on East Asia are: Yolanda Kakabadse Navarro, President, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Switzerland; Takeshi Niinami, Chief Executive Officer and Representative Director, Lawson, Japan; Atsutoshi Nishida, Chairman of the Board, Toshiba Corporation, Japan and James T. Riady, Chief Executive Officer, Lippo Group, Indonesia
Notes to Editors