Initiative Leader, Becky Goodell

Restaurant Initiative

We are encouraging restaurants to continue to work on creating measureable change in healthy eating options in our community. There are many things that restaurant owners and managers can do in this effort. To help, we have created a list of proven methods available to restaurants to make these changes easier.

Recently, this year’s Restaurant Pledge was mailed to Albert Lea restaurant managers with a list of 18 different suggestions where they can make a healthier difference at their restaurant. From this list they can choose to implement options such as reducing the size of serving plates, or not automatically bringing a bread basket to the table unless requested by the patron. Other options could include prominently displaying calorie information of the entrees on the menu, offering 1% or skim milk as a drink option, or modifying existing menu items with lower fat, salt and sugar content.

Even in this slow economy, statistics indicate that on average Americans are still eating out 4-to-5-times a week. Polls also show that more and more diners are asking for and expecting healthier options on restaurant menus. We are fortunate in Albert Lea, that we have restaurant managers who are listening and responding to our requests for healthier, lighter food options so we can continue to make the wise choice to enjoy healthier, longer lives.

Click here for the Vitality 2010 Restaurant Pledge