ARAMARK Charitable Fund Donates $1 Million to American Diabetes Association Research Foundation

Orlando, FL, June 4, 2004 – The American Diabetes Association (ADA) today announced that the ARAMARK Charitable Fund, a philanthropic fund created by ARAMARK Corporation, a world leader in managed services, will donate $1 million over five years to the ADA Research Foundation to help fund research into childhood obesity.

The grant will support leading researchers as they investigate behavioral development and eating patterns in children, and the role that parents and other caregivers play in aiding children to make sound nutrition choices throughout life. It comes at a time when interest in childhood eating patterns is at an all-time high due to the challenge posed by the obesity epidemic in America.

“The ARAMARK Charitable Fund’s generous contribution will allow the ADA to focus on understanding children’s eating habits, an important facet of the obesity epidemic facing our nation today,” said Martha M. Funnell, MS, RN, CDE, ADA Research Foundation board member. ”This will be exciting and important research as we focus on understanding the problem early in life, before habits are established.”

The $1 million, five-year grant by the ARAMARK Charitable Fund follows ARAMARK’s recent announcement of DiningStyles™, a proprietary research tool developed by ARAMARK to more deeply understand its customers’ needs, habits and preferences.  ARAMARK is sharing its DiningStyles™ research findings, including data collected from more than 80,000 people, with leading members of the medical and health communities, including the American Diabetes Association, to further the understanding of Americans’ eating habits.   

“The ARAMARK Charitable Fund is proud to support the ADA’s efforts, which mirror ARAMARK’s commitment to offering consumers nutritional choices they prefer, and making these choices easier than ever,” said Joseph Neubauer, Executive Chairman of ARAMARK.  “We hope this contribution to the ADA’s Research Program and ARAMARK’s ongoing commitment will lead to a better understanding of how we, as food service providers and health professionals, can best meet consumer needs – and offer healthful choices that fit their preferences and priorities.”

About the American Diabetes Association

The American Diabetes Association is the nation’s premier voluntary health organization supporting diabetes research, information and advocacy.  Founded in 1940, the Association has offices in every region of the country, providing services to hundreds of communities.  The Association’s commitment to research is reflected through its scientific meetings; education and provider recognition programs; and its Research Foundation and Nationwide Research Program, which fund breakthrough studies looking into the cure, prevention, and treatment of diabetes and its complications.  For more information, please visit www.diabetes.org or call 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383).  Information from both these sources is available in English and Spanish.

About ARAMARK

ARAMARK Corporation is a world leader in providing award-winning food and facilities management services to health care institutions, universities and school districts, stadiums and arenas, international and domestic corporations, as well as providing uniform and career apparel.  ARAMARK was ranked number one in its industry in the 2004 FORTUNE 500 survey and was also named one of "America's Most Admired Companies" by FORTUNE magazine in 2004, consistently ranking since 1998 as one of the top three most admired companies in its industry as evaluated by peers.  Headquartered in Philadelphia, ARAMARK has approximately 200,000 employees serving clients in 18 countries.