October 29, 2007

4 Min Read
Nourish America Launches “Healthy Moms and Babies” National Prenatal Nutrition Campaign To Ensure a Healthy Start for Ame

Four-Star Rated Charity to Deliver Nutritional Supplements to Pregnant Women in Need

(SANTA BARBARA, CA) – Nourish America, a national non-profit committed to improving the health of children, families, seniors and veterans through vitamin supplements and nourishing foods (including naturals and organics), has announced a major new initiative to deliver prenatal nutrition to underprivileged pregnant women to assure the health of new mothers and their infants.

Founded in 1999, Nourish America provides daily multivitamins and other nutrients to more than 26,000 needy children at more than 350 partner sites in 37 states across the United States. Supporting its mission, both with financial and in-kind contributions are corporate America, the natural product industry, concerned private citizens, visionary philanthropists and the U.S. Congress and governmental agencies.

“Premature birth has become a silent crisis in America, with more than 520,000 babies being born prematurely each year. According to the March of Dimes, this is a 30 percent increase since 1980. Much work remains to be done to reduce infant and maternal mortality rates, prevent premature birth and low birth weight babies,” said Michael Morton, Executive Director of Nourish America. “By expanding our existing programs with a strong emphasis on prenatal nutrition with vitamins, supplements and a balanced diet, Nourish America, our partners and benefactors will assure a healthy start for the next generation of Americans.”

According to government statistics, almost half of all pregnancies are unplanned, leading medical professionals and public health officials to conclude that improvements in infant and maternal mortality rates would be best achieved by reaching impoverished women with health-related education and products before they become pregnant. The need for prenatal nutrition programs such as those provided by Nourish America is further supported by the widespread absence of nutritive health in the general population.

“Studies by the U.S. Department of Agriculture indicate that 35.1 million Americans, 12.4 million of which are children, live in households that considered ‘food insecure’,” commented Mr. Morton. “With one in five American children projected as nutritionally “at-risk”, it is critical that we reach women of childbearing age with nutritional supplements to set the stage for continued sound dietary practices before they give birth. As a society it is our duty that we ensure that our children grow up well nourished and healthy.”

Mr. Morton explained that “food insecurity” is described as “a lack of access to enough food to fully meet basic needs at all times due to lack of financial resources”.

Although the general public may think the challenge of meeting daily nutritional requirements does not apply to them personally, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 93 percent of Americans fail to get even the Estimated Average Requirement for vitamin E, more than half of all adults fail to get the average requirement for vitamin A and even economically secure Americans don’t consume the fruits, vegetables and juices that would provide them with the required levels of vitamin C as well as other antioxidants. Nourish America is designed to provide those with low incomes with free and easily available multivitamins and nutritional supplements that can help address this problem.

“The need for Nourish America has never been more acute than it is right now”, stated Mr. Morton. “With one in five American children projected as nutritionally ‘at-risk’, it is critical that as a society we ensure that expectant mothers and their newborns grow up well nourished and healthy. Improved nutritional status for everyone results in a healthier and less dependent generation, reducing pressures on schools, correctional facilities, social welfare agencies and the health care system.”

About Nourish America
Nourish America™ (formerly Vitamin Relief USA) for the past two consecutive years has received the highest rating from Charity Navigator, the nation’s leading charity watchdog organization. Independent audits show that 94 percent of donated funds go directly to Nourish America programs and those it serves, placing Nourish America in the top 14% of 5,000 of America’s best-known charities.

Nourish America™ is a DBA of Vitamin Relief USA, a tax-exempt, non-profit organization committed to improving the health status of children, seniors and adults at risk for malnutrition through vitamin supplementation, health education and donations of nutritional foods. Nourish America owes its success to an innovative model of collaboration driven by the belief that every American, regardless of socio-economic status, deserves to receive the basic nourishment that is essential for health and well-being.

“Nourish America is who we are and what we do. We are committed to making sure our country and our citizens are well nourished. In this way we can assure our great nation remains vital, fit and strong both now and in the future,” states Morton

To support Nourish America™ - or for further information, please call 866-487-1484 or visit the website at www.. nourishamerica.org. Below please find a media backgrounder detailing specific information about Nourish America™.

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