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USANA Kids Eat: Five Years of Impact in Utah

The holiday season, often associated with joy and giving, can also bring challenges to many families, especially children who depend on school meals for sustenance. To combat this issue, USANA Kids Eat has once again stepped up, marking its fifth anniversary with a significant food donation drive aimed at ensuring that families in Utah are fed during this critical time.

In December 2024, USANA Kids Eat successfully packed and distributed a staggering 5,028 bags of food across 55 schools from Ogden to Payson, translating into an impressive 201,120 meals for children in need. Each of these holiday bags contained about 40 meals, which were carefully packed by a dedicated community of volunteers including USANA’s executive team, employees, and their families. This collaborative effort emphasizes the spirit of community and collective responsibility inherent in the mission of USANA Kids Eat.

Michelle Benedict, the director of global programs for the USANA Foundation, shed light on the pressing issue at hand: “A staggering one in six kids in Utah are at risk of going hungry.” Since its inception, USANA Kids Eat has aimed to tackle the challenges surrounding food insecurity. Michelle highlighted that while the organization works year-round to provide food packs during school, it is equally essential to extend support to families during the holiday breaks.

The USANA Foundation took a pivotal step in 2019 by acquiring KidsEat!Utah, allowing it to expand its reach and bolster efforts to serve the community. In just five years, USANA Kids Eat has positively impacted over 6,000 children, distributed food bags to 110 schools, and provided an astonishing 265,699 bags, which equals approximately 2,429,605 meals. This impressive achievement demonstrates the critical need for such initiatives and the tangible difference they make in the lives of many.

Reflecting on the journey, Michelle expressed her gratitude towards the donors, sponsors, and volunteers who have tirelessly contributed to this cause, stating, “Being a part of USANA Kids Eat over these years has been so special to me. Helping more than 6,000 kids by providing them with over two million meals in just five years is astonishing.”

Jim Brown, president and CEO of USANA, echoed her sentiments about the profound impact of USANA Kids Eat on the local community. He noted, “Community is one of USANA's core values, and the impact USANA Kids Eat has made on children and their families in our Utah community these past five years is almost immeasurable.” Jim emphasized the importance of these food donation bags, having personally participated in packing and distributing them, and highlighted the critical need they serve for families in the region. He congratulated the entire USANA Kids Eat team for their hard work and the remarkable achievements they have reached since 2019.

Looking Forward

As USANA Kids Eat looks to the future, the organization remains committed to its mission of combatting food insecurity among Utah’s youth. With a solid foundation of volunteers, support from local businesses, and a dedicated team, there is hope for even greater achievements in the years to come. The essence of USANA Kids Eat's work lies in fostering a sense of community, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to enjoy food security not just during the holiday season but throughout the entire year.

For more information about USANA Kids Eat and their initiatives, please visit USANAkidseat.org.

USANA continues to inspire and lead by example, creating solutions to pressing social challenges and making a lasting difference in the lives of many.