Campbell Soup Wants To Help Detroit-Area Kids Eat Better

DETROIT (AP) - Campbell Soup says it wants to reduce hunger and obesity by working closely with schools in the Detroit area.

The New Jersey-based company says it will pay for gardens, mobile food pantries, nutrition education and cooking classes. The effort will start with Roosevelt Primary School in Ferndale and Neinas Dual Language Learning Academy in Detroit. The announcement was made Wednesday.

Campbell says it will also work with the Detroit school district to support nutrition programs and become a partner with community groups. It is pledging to spend $125,000 on Campbell's Healthy Communities Metro Detroit in the first year.

The local program will be led by Melanie Mena, the daughter of the founders of Garden Fresh Gourmet salsa in Ferndale. Campbell acquired the company in 2015.