Wis. Rapids Restaurants Join Healthy Food Initiative
For the City Times
Wood County eating establishments are now joining with a growing number of organizations to promote healthy food choices within our community.
The Smart Meal™ program was developed to help establishments promote healthy meal options while allowing customers an easy way to identify healthy menu items. The program highlights restaurant meals that are lower in fat, lower in sodium, and include components such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains while being 700 calories or less.
Eating establishments use the Smart Meal icon on their menu to identify meal options that meet the Smart Meal nutritional requirements. The icons are also displayed at the front entrance of restaurants that are involved with the Smart Meal program. Kids menu items can also be identified in the Smart Meal program following the kids nutrition and calorie requirements.
The Smart Meal™ program was started by the Colorado Physical Activity and Nutrition Program (CPANP) and was available to Wisconsin restaurants starting in 2011. The new program will be rolled out in multiple phases; with the initiative to reach all Wood County food establishments.
Wood County restaurants participating in phase one include: Shaw Lee’s, Patty’s Café, Anchor Bay, Higher Grounds Bakery and Coffee House, Jennings, Belvedere Supper Club, Melody Gardens, Blue Heron, Nutz Deep, and Daily Grind.
Nutrition staff is available to help identify menu items that fit within the nutrition and calorie criteria and can assist with minor menu adjustments or healthy menu creation. To be considered a Smart Meal™ restaurant you must have four qualifying menu items.
For more information on the Smart Meal™ Program in Wood County please contact Melanie Jaecks: (715) 421-8961 or email her at [email protected]