In an era where childhood obesity rates are climbing and the nutritional content of children’s food and beverages often falls short, initiatives like PLEZi Nutrition are making a difference. Co-founded by Michelle Obama, the former First Lady renowned for her commitment to health and wellness, PLEZi Nutrition aims to elevate the standards for how children’s food and beverages are produced and marketed in the U.S. This initiative focuses on nutrition, taste, and transparency – ensuring children have access to healthier, delicious options.
The mission of PLEZi Nutrition gained a substantial assist through a partnership with Stephen and Ayesha Curry. Known for their achievements in sports and entertainment, the Currys are equally celebrated for their dedication to children’s wellness. Stephen Curry, an NBA superstar, and Ayesha Curry, a distinguished chef and author, bring their passion for healthy living and community involvement to this collaboration. Their participation amplifies PLEZi Nutrition’s impact, inspiring parents and children to make healthier food choices and adopt a lifestyle that promotes well-being and happiness. Together, they strive to create a healthier, brighter future for the next generation.
“We’re so excited to welcome Stephen and Ayesha Curry to the PLEZi Nutrition family,” said former First Lady Michelle Obama, Co-Founder and Strategic Partner of PLEZi Nutrition. “They are true role models. They’re extraordinary at what they do and how they go about their work—with creativity, integrity, and a whole lot of fun. Their commitment to bettering the lives of children and their dedication to promoting healthy lifestyles align perfectly with our vision for PLEZi Nutrition. We can’t wait to team up with them to inspire the next generation toward healthier choices.”
The partnership with Stephen and Ayesha Curry brings a powerful voice to this crucial cause. The Currys are not merely celebrities; they are dedicated advocates for children’s health and education through their Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation. Their foundation is committed to providing children with nutritious meals, support for becoming strong readers, and opportunities for physical activity. By addressing these key aspects of child development, they aim to lay a solid foundation for future success and well-being. This alignment with PLEZi Nutrition’s mission creates a dynamic synergy focused on making a tangible difference in children’s lives, emphasizing the importance of holistic health and education approaches.
I had the pleasure to interview the power couple to learn more about why they decided to invest, how PLEZi stands out from other health-focused companies, and how it was a no-brainer to work with Michelle Obama again.
What initially inspired you both to invest in PLEZi Nutrition?
Stephen Curry (SC): As a father and professional athlete, I know how impactful good nutrition can be, on and off the court. PLEZi Nutrition’s commitment to making nutrition accessible and fun really resonates with me.
Ayesha Curry (AC): We were floored by the stats. Kids are consuming way too much added sugar—on average, 53 pounds of added sugar per year. Sugary drinks are the leading source of added sugar, and nearly two-thirds of kids consume sugary drinks on a given day! Kids deserve better, and we wanted to be a part of that positive change. But ultimately getting kids excited about a healthier option is always going to come down to taste, and that’s what sealed it for us in supporting PLEZi. It really hits the sweet spot for our family, no pun intended – our kids really love it, so it was an easy choice.
How do you envision PLEZi Nutrition empowering kids to make healthier choices?
AC: We want kids to love the products because they taste great. The fact that it’s a healthier option is the added bonus. I started stocking our fridge at home with PLEZi juices without any background or context. My kids kept coming back to them because they loved the flavors, and that’s how we knew this was something special. If it’s something our kids love, we knew there were going to be a lot of other kids that love it, too! And if kids’ top choice is also the most nutritious choice, we’re going to make some headway supporting a healthier generation of kids.
What unique qualities of PLEZi Nutrition stood out to you compared to other health-focused companies?
SC: At its core, PLEZi understands that if nutrition isn’t fun and tasty, it’s not going to stick – definitely with kids, but with parents, too. Parents have enough on our plates – we want our kids to be healthy, absolutely, but we also want them to be happy. As Ayesha mentioned, our kids love the PLEZi drinks and that was a game changer for us.
AC: Something that really struck a chord with me is the fact that PLEZi is trying to fundamentally shift kids’ sweetness cravings. Not just what they drink right now, but what they crave over their entire life. PLEZi (their juice drink) has 75% less sugar than the average leading fruit juices, 2g of fiber, and added nutrients like vitamin C. When you compare 5g sugar in 6.75oz for Plezi to 21g sugar per 6.75oz in average leading fruit juices, this means that replacing 2 full sugar juice drinks with PLEZi would remove 59 teaspoons of sugar from a kid’s diet each week. Over the course of a year, that’s over 25 lbs of sugar that isn’t going into a kid’s body. That’s a huge shift with the potential for an awesome long-term effect.
How significant is it for you to support a company co-founded by former First Lady Michelle Obama?
SC: Wait…have people already forgotten how the three of us essentially broke the internet in 2016 with our lip-syncing Minions video??
AC: We don’t need to resurface it…HOWEVER, we actually worked with Mrs. Obama during her time as First Lady to support her Let’s Move! initiative, which worked across a variety of sectors to support healthier kids and families. For us, it’s an honor to continue our efforts with the former First Lady, having her involved keeps us focused on our north star of helping raise a healthier generation and amplifies our collective impact.
SC: Agreed, and it’s incredibly significant. Mrs. Obama’s passion for children’s health and wellness aligns perfectly with ours and our foundation, Eat. Learn. Play.
Stephen & Ayesha Curry as parents of four and co-founders of the Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation, join … [+]
Could you share any personal experiences or challenges with children’s nutrition that influenced your decision to support PLEZi Nutrition?
AC: It’s one thing I get asked the most as someone who works in the food space. I have a lot of frustrated (and exhausted) parents who need tips to help with their picky eaters. I have a few things that have worked for me that I often share, one of them is to include kids in the process. I find that kids are more likely to try something they have a hand in making. That can be in the cooking process or harvesting ingredients from a garden if that option is available.
In what ways do you believe PLEZi Nutrition can address current gaps in children’s health and nutrition?
SC: PLEZi fills a gap by offering healthier beverages – from juice boxes to FiZZ, that kids crave. It’s about changing norms, and it encourages families to prioritize nutrition without sacrificing flavor.
AC: The company is also so much more than its products – as a Public Benefit Company, they are committed to educating families about what’s best for kids’ health and supporting non-profits, like FoodCorps, that are working to improve kids’ nutrition and access to nourishing food.
How do you plan to use your platform and influence to promote PLEZi Nutrition’s mission?
SC: I don’t want to spoil anything, but…
AC: So he won’t!! What we’ll say is we’re fortunate to have platforms that allow us to advocate for PLEZi’s mission authentically. And personally and professionally, we are excited to roll up our sleeves and contribute to all the ways PLEZi is innovating this category, from overall creativity to product development.
What role do you see PLEZi Nutrition playing in the broader landscape of public health and wellness?
AC: Something shifts in you when you become a parent. You can’t stand the thought of any kid suffering or not getting the life they deserve. It’s what motivated us to start our Foundation and truly drives the decisions we make in terms of partners. We love PLEZi because first and foremost it’s a mission driven company, above all else. That’s extremely rare – and something worth supporting. If more companies prioritize kids’ health, we’ll see the positive change in public health that the next generation deserves.
How do you intend to stay involved with PLEZi Nutrition in the future?
SC: Like I said, without spoiling anything, this is just the beginning – we have some absurdly good plans for this year and next.
What message would you like to share with parents considering PLEZi Nutrition products for their children?
AC: It’s really nice to have a win; an easy yes for a change. It’s delicious and nutritious, it’s a choice you can feel good about. Listen, add a case of FiZZ or the juice boxes to your next Amazon order (Prime Day is coming up and they’re actually going to be on sale) – make it a fun experience for you and your kids, maybe a taste test party? Give PLEZi a try and you’ll understand why we’re all in.