NRA ‘Kids LiveWell’ Triples To Include 68 Restaurant Brands
The National Restaurant Association has announced that the number of restaurant companies participating in its "Kids LiveWell" program has more than tripled since the initiative's launch in July of 2011.
Currently, 68 restaurant brands representing more than 20,000 locations have committed to "Kids LiveWell", a first-of-its-kind voluntary program that provides parents with a growing selection of healthful children’s menu choices when dining out.
The initiative focuses on increasing consumption of fruit and vegetables, lean protein, whole grains and low-fat dairy, and limiting unhealthy fats, sugars and sodium.
In collaboration with Healthy Dining, the National Restaurant Association launched "Kids LiveWell" in 2011 with 19 inaugural brand leaders. To join the program, restaurants agree to offer and promote a selection of items that meet qualifying criteria based on leading health organizations' scientific recommendations, including the 2010 USDA Dietary Guidelines. Healthy Dining's team of registered dietitians works with restaurants to identify and validate the qualifying "Kids LiveWell" menu choices.
"We are so excited to work with the variety of restaurants all over the United States that are joining the 'Kids LiveWell' program, from large chains to neighborhood eateries, from quick serve to upscale. These restaurants are playing an important role in the health and well-being of our nation’s youngest restaurant patrons by serving choices that nourish and help kids grow and thrive." said Anita Jones-Mueller, MPH, president and founder of Healthy Dining.
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MRA Awards Ceremony: A Chance To Showcase Trade’s Best
The Massachusetts Restaurant Association (MRA) Awards Dinner will be held in the Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel as a feature evening event of the New England Food Show on Monday, March 12.
This event will showcase the industry’s best restaurateurs, executives, chefs, salespeople, and others as they are honored for their work. There will be a cocktail hour beginning at 6:00 p.m., with the dinner and program beginning at 7:00 p.m.
This year, the Massachusetts Restaurant Association will honor Brad Dalbeck and Chris Damian of the Legendary Restaurant Group of Boston as Restaurateurs of the Year. Bill Brady of Sonoma of Princeton, Mass, will be honored as the Chef of the Year. The Purveyor Executive of the Year is the Herbert Family of Taylor Freezer of New England of Norwood, Mass., and the Sales Executive of the Year is Tony DelPrete of US Foodservice, Boston.Danielle McNally, the Massachusetts Restaurant Association director of communications, said while there are still reservations available, seating is very limited. Those interested in sponsoring the dinner should, contact Peter Christie at PChristie@massrestaurantassoc.org.
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Taco Bell Issues Statement On CDC Investigation
Taco Bell recently issued a statement regarding the October-November, 2011 Centers For Disease Control CDC investigation of a salmonella outbreak. The statement reads, "Fortunately, the CDC said the public is not at any risk and this incident from late last year is completely over. While the CDC was unable to identify the food source of this outbreak, they believe the problem, most likely occurred at a supplier before it was delivered to any food outlet.
"Some people who were ill ate at our restaurants, while others did not. We don't know what the source of the problem was, but we continue to review our supply procedures for any possible improvement. If we ever learn of any threat to public safety of course we will be the first to act swiftly with the CDC. We want to reassure our customers that we take food quality and safety very seriously.”
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Latest Word in Food Service...
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The Rhode Island Hospitality Assn. sponsored a rally last week protesting a proposed 10 percent meals tax. In Rhode Island, meals are subject to a 7 percent sales tax and a 1 percent restaurant tax for a total of 8 percent. If the increase is approved, diners could face a total tax of 10 percent for the cost of the meal.
• Not Your Average Joe’s opened its 16th restaurant in Seekonk, Mass.
• The American Humane Assn. commended McDonald’s for its recent position to require their pork supply chain to be gestation crate free.
Boston Restaurant Week is scheduled for March 18-23 and March 25-30. Each participating restaurant will be serving price fixed menus. For a three-course dinner the price is $33.12; three-course lunch, $20.12; and a two course lunch, $15.12.
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