Characters from DreamWorks Animation’s “Trolls” films have banded together with the United Nations, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization and the UN Foundation in a digital campaign to mobilize action for a healthy diet and sustainable living. 

As part of the International Year of Fruits and Vegetables, the Trolls encourage their fans to become food heroes by taking actions including eating healthy and reducing food waste, and adding these actions to the United Nations’ ActNow initiative. 

“DreamWorks Animation is honored to collaborate with the United Nations, UN Food and Agriculture Organization and the UN Foundation to encourage healthier eating and raise awareness for reducing food waste,” says David Bynder, senior vice president, global brand partnerships, DreamWorks Animation. “The Trolls are a celebration of positivity and we hope their enthusiasm will inspire kids and families around the world.” 

As part of the global campaign, a short awareness-raising video featuring DreamWorks “Trolls” launched on Nov. 19 and individual graphic social media posters will follow weekly for a month. The #TrollsFoodHeroes digital and online campaign will enlist more food heroes, who, like the Trolls, see the value in fruits and vegetables and the fight against food waste. The campaign and its assets raise awareness and mobilize viewers to achieve a more sustainable lifestyle and to work together for a happier and healthier planet. 

“The Trolls are such colorful and happy creatures who relate to children,” says Maher Nasser, director of outreach, United Nations Department of Global Communications. “This collaboration provides an excellent channel to get the message out to children and their parents about the importance of healthy eating and reducing food waste. We hope that the Trolls will inspire many of their friends and followers to follow in their footsteps, become food heroes and #ActNow for sustainability.”   

“Up to one-third of the food we produce globally is lost or wasted. We must reduce both to feed a growing population and ensure access to nutritious food for all in a sustainable world,” says Maximo Torero, chief economist, Food and Agriculture Organization, United Nations. “‘Trolls’ characters will help us teach children important lessons about healthy diets and reducing waste in a fun and engaging way. We are grateful to DreamWorks for their partnership in inviting the world’s children to become food heroes, a habit we hope they will retain for a lifetime.” 

The campaign video will be featured at the World Expo in Dubai and the UN Foundation will connect over 40,000 teachers with campaign materials to be used in the classroom through their partnership with #TeachSDGs. Early in 2022, there will be a special edition sheet of UN stamps featuring the campaign artwork and messaging as part of the UN’s own Postal Administration series of special edition stamps, popular with collectors globally. 

“Empowering children and families to make nutritious, sustainable food choices helps support the health of our planet and its people,” says Elizabeth Cousens, president and chief executive officer, UN Foundation. “We are beyond excited to see DreamWorks’ ‘Trolls’ engage their fans in becoming food heroes, reminding us that every action – big or small – can make a difference.”