President’s Council celebrates $1.7B in commitments towards health and wellbeing for Americans

President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition Plays Key Role in Biden-Harris Administration's Efforts to Build Healthy Communities

[February 27, 2024] – The Biden-Harris Administration recently announced 141 new bold commitments from stakeholders across the nation, as part of the White House Challenge to End Hunger and Build Healthy Communities. This event marks a significant step towards advancing President Biden’s goal to end hunger, reduce diet-related diseases, and address health disparities by 2030.

At the heart of this initiative is the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition (the President’s Council), led by Chef José Andrés and WNBA player Elena Delle Donne. The President’s Council has been instrumental in fostering partnerships between major sports leagues, players associations, and stakeholders across sectors to promote physical activity, nutrition education, and healthy lifestyles.

Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff joined White House officials including Neera Tanden, Stephen Benjamin, and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack at the White House event today to announce these commitments, underscoring the administration’s commitment to addressing the intersection of hunger, nutrition, and health.

"Yesterday I was proud to speak at the White House Challenge to End Hunger and Build Healthy Communities as the co-Chair of The President’s Council” shared Chef José Andrés, President’s Council Co-Chair. ”To end hunger and build healthier communities, it will require not just a whole-of-government approach… but a whole-of-society approach. These commitments represent more than just dollars. They are the collective power of our own communities to create the change we seek"

The $1.7 billion in new commitments announced today complement the Biden-Harris Administration’s ongoing work to implement the National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health. These commitments, cultivated in collaboration with the CDC Foundation, build on the momentum generated at the historic White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health in September 2022.

Additionally, the commitments announced today further amplify the impact of the new partnership between major sports leagues, players associations, and the President’s Council. Fourteen sports leagues and players associations have signed agreements to expand access to physical activity, integrate messaging and education around nutrition, and promote healthy lifestyles to millions of people engaged in their programs annually.

Through these collective efforts, the Biden-Harris Administration, the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition, and the National Fitness Foundation are working together to empower individuals and communities to lead healthier, more active lives.

To view the full event please visit https://www.youtube.com/live/5k04SBw_nDI?feature=shared.

Contact: Hannah Keldsen, The National Fitness Foundation [hannahkeldsen@fitness.foundation]

The President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition is a federal advisory committee of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that works to engage, educate, and empower all Americans to adopt a healthy lifestyle that includes regular physical activity and good nutrition. Led by Chairs Chef José Andrés and WNBA player Elena Delle Donne, the President’s Council collaborates with stakeholders across sectors to promote the importance of sports, fitness, and nutrition for the health and well-being of individuals and communities. The National Fitness Foundation (NFF) works to support the mission and mandate of the President’s Council.