National Business Group on Health Honors General Mills As One of Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles
General Mills is among 52 Companies Recognized for Promoting Healthy Workplace
05/14/2008
General Mills was honored by the National Business Group on Health (NBGH), a national nonprofit organization of large employers, for its commitment and dedication to promoting a healthy workplace and encouraging a healthy lifestyle for its employees and families.
General Mills was among 52 employers that received the Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles award at the Leadership Summit sponsored by the NBGH Institute on the Costs and Health Effects of Obesity. General Mills received a Gold Award for its innovative programming that gets employees and their families actively involved. This is the second year General Mills has received an award.
“We’re honored to be recognized by the National Business Group on Health. Whether it’s the addition of an outdoor walking path, or connecting a group of employees with common interests, our goal is to provide programs and resources that encourage employees to live a healthy lifestyle, ” said Dr. Tim Crimmins, General Mills Chief Medical Officer.
According to General Mills, the key to keeping a large and diverse employee group healthy is offering a wide range of programs that allow employees to customize their approach to wellness. The company does this through its on-site fitness centers and walking paths, online weight management tools, healthy cooking classes and 24/7 well-being helpline. Because the company is made up of high achievers, promotions such as Building a Better You weight-loss challenge and The Best Life Diet Challenge motivate employees to reach beyond their goals and improve their health, energy and resiliency.
“We are very pleased to honor General Mills for their innovation and commitment to providing lifestyle improvement programs designed to encourage healthier lifestyles for their employees,” said Helen Darling, president of the NBGH. “General Mills and its management team should be proud of both their initiatives and ongoing support of helping employees to choose a healthier way of life.”
Now in its fourth year, the Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles awards acknowledge and reward those employers that recognize the urgent need to improve their workers’ health, productivity and quality of life. The underlying goal of the program is to serve as a catalyst to encourage all employers to take action.
Winners of the Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles awards were honored in one of three categories: Platinum, for established programs with measurable outcomes; Gold, for creating cultural and environmental changes that support employees who have made a commitment to long-term behavior changes; and Silver, for those employers who have launched significant programs or services to promote living a healthier lifestyle.
About General Mills
General Mills, with annual net sales of $13.4 billion, is a leading global manufacturer and marketer of consumer foods products based in Minneapolis. General Mills' mission is Nourishing Lives - innovating to make lives healthier, easier, and richer - while Nourishing Communities and Nourishing the Future. Its global brand portfolio includes Cheerios, Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Green Giant, Häagen-Dazs, Nature Valley, Old El Paso and more. With more than 100 consumer brands and operations in more than 100 countries, General Mills is also a leading supplier of baking and other food products to the foodservice and commercial baking industries.
About the National Business Group on Health
The National Business Group on Health is the nation’s only non-profit, membership organization of large employers devoted exclusively to finding innovative and forward-thinking solutions to their most important health care and related benefits issues. The NBGH identifies and shares best practices in health benefits, disability, health and productivity, related paid time off and work/life balance issues. NBGH members provide health coverage for more than 50 million U.S. workers, retirees and their families. For more information about the NBGH, visit www.businessgrouphealth.org
For More Information, Contact:
Heidi GellerGeneral Mills
763-764-6364
