Benchmarking food and beverage company investment in healthful eating and active living initiatives

We benchmarked the strategies and performance of community-based healthful eating and active living initiatives sponsored by food and beverage manufacturers. We developed company- and program-level surveys for 11 companies and 38 programs using best practices in corporate benchmarking and the collective impact framework, including four domains: (a) strategy design, (b) governance and management, (c) monitoring and evaluation, and (d) reporting, communication, and stakeholder engagement. Company strategies varied, with most focusing on nutrition and physical activity promotion and little on social and environmental determinants of health. Some companies reported program investments as part of corporate social responsibility, and others managed these under general corporate or public affairs. Company scores ranged broadly, suggesting that our metrics had discriminant validity (mean overall score=59%, range=49-72%). Companies performed worst on monitoring and evaluation, highlighting the need for metrics and accountability. Benchmarking ensures accountability and enhances impact of corporate social responsibility initiatives.