Celebrating Our Nation’s Kids!

kids-apples-large-(1)As September marks back to school, this prompted us to think about our nation’s kids and highlight some recent news of amazing programs that the restaurant and hospitality industry facilitate and support in order to bring healthful food options and nutritional education to them every day.

The National Restaurant Association’s Kids LiveWell campaign is one that we happily support (click here to view past news feature). We are thrilled to watch this volunteer program not only celebrate its recent third anniversary, but also see it flourish from 19 to now over 150 participating restaurant brands and companies, representing more than 42,000 dining locations nationwide, who are committed to providing healthful children’s menu choices (such as increased quantities of fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and low-fat dairy items) in their establishments.

U.S. restaurants are also uniting in support of the annual Dine Out for Kids, No Kid Hungry September campaign to offer children more access to, education about, and awareness of nutritional programs offered in schools, helping families create healthful, yet affordable meals and eating habits, as well as promoting and advocating for policy change at the national level.

Since 2008, with the help of the almost 9,000 participating U.S. restaurants and their individual promotional programs, such as donating one dollar for every meal sold or offering a free dessert with a donation and the like, the Dine Out for Kids, No Kid Hungry campaign has raised a total of $18 million (this year’s goal is $10 million!) in the fight to end hunger in the U.S. for the reported one in five children who struggle with hunger every day.

Supporting food initiatives and campaigns such as Kids LiveWell and Dine Out for Kids, No Kid Hungry, and others that focus on keeping kids motivated, engaged, and healthy will always get an A+ in our book – and an example of a good way to demonstrate corporate social responsibility.

For more information on joining these networks, menu options, and more go to Kids LiveWell about and No Kid Hungry about/programs.

*photo courtesy of healthydiningfinder.com