PORTLAND, Ore., March 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The creators of the viral documentary The Game Changers and the Green Sports Alliance Foundation (the foundation arm of the Green Sports Alliance), have announced their partnership to help inspire a cultural shift towards plant-based eating for our planet, our communities, and the next generation of athletes around the world.

As the sports industry prepares for a return to full strength from the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, the partnership between the newly formed Game Changers Institute (GCI)—an initiative of the Game Changers Foundation—and the Green Sports Alliance Foundation will develop novel tools, resources, and experiences in an effort to inform and promote the benefits of plant-based eating for athletes and fans everywhere.

"The exponential growth of plant-based eating in elite athletics creates incredible potential for players, teams and sports communities across the world to lead the way in creating a fitter, healthier population and a more just and sustainable planet", says James Wilks, executive director of GCI. "We couldn't be more excited to partner with the Green Sports Alliance Foundation in supporting this critical and historic shift."

The organizations will unite a coalition of predominantly plant-based athletes, influential sports figures, and their fans to build awareness and influence the widespread behavior change needed to help reverse the destructive socio-environmental impacts stemming from the consumption of a traditional animal-based diet.

"Our industry has an opportunity to scale a critical environmental solution while addressing the performance and longevity of our athletes, fighting for social justice, and protecting public health. We are poised to use the power of our collective Green Sports Alliance Foundation network and GCI's knowledge of healthy, sustainable eating to generate measurable change," said Roger McClendon, Executive Director of Green Sports Alliance Foundation. McClendon brings his expertise in global food supply chains after serving as the first-ever Chief Sustainability Officer for Yum! Brands, helping to transform worldwide operational sustainability for holdings that include Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and KFC.

The partnership will use its extensive platform to reach sports communities across the world with a strong focus on access to healthy and sustainable options for food insecure individuals and communities disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

"GCI are pioneers of this rapidly shifting landscape and we are excited to work with their team of experts to create actionable, science-backed campaigns that will accelerate a food system transformation and activate global communities for a more resilient future," added McClendon. In addition to the partnership, McClendon, a former All-American and Division 1 University of Cincinnati college basketball student-athlete, has joined the GCI Board of Advisors.

Notes to Editor:

1. Organizations have photos and visual media that can be used at request
2. Current scientific research has concluded that animal agriculture is responsible for 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions (Source: FAO); nearly 30% of humanity's freshwater footprint (Source: University of Twente); contributes to deforestation, food insecurity, and chronic public health issues; and directly correlates with a rise in infectious diseases such as COVID-19 (Source: WWF).

About the Game Changers Institute
The Game Changers Institute (GCI) is a diverse research, educational and advocacy platform that promotes plant-forward nutrition in order to help improve personal performance, increase public health, support social justice and protect the environment. GCI also serves as a science-based nexus for organizations, institutions, foundations and other stakeholders aligned with its mission. For more information, please visit www.gamechangersinstitute.com

About the Green Sports Alliance Foundation 
The Green Sports Alliance Foundation advances social and environmental responsibility using the influence of sports to engage fans, athletes, youth, and communities in sustainable behaviors and practices. The Foundation serves to advance positive community change through the inspirational platform of sports, focusing on climate action and literacy, public health and nutrition, and access to sustainable play. The Foundation is the 501(c)3 non-profit arm of the Green Sport Alliance (GSA), the leading influencer in the sports greening movement that convenes, educates, and inspires over 300 professional and collegiate leagues, teams, venues to advance towards global sustainability targets. Visit greensportsalliance.org/foundation for more information.  

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SOURCE Game Changers Institute