Restaurant Toolkit
Restaurant Toolkit
Putting Health on the Menu:
According Public Health Law & Policy, Families are eating out more than ever: Americans today spend half – yes, half! – their food budgets on restaurant food. That can translate into a lot of calories from restaurant kitchens.
What can local governments do to motivate these eateries to shape up their menus? Check out the new Public Health Law & Policy toolkit, "Putting Health on the Menu," to find out how to create a program that gives restaurant owners plenty of incentives to upgrade the nutritional quality of their offerings.
- There are some very helpful tips on implementing a restaurant program and promoting healthier options- including (on p29) how to describe healthy items:"How food is described is important- food described as "healthy" can make the health conscious people more likely to order the items, while it may have the opposite effect on other groups"
- Useful partnerships to strengthen the program are also described on (p30).
High Chair Maintenance:
High chairs should have functioning straps and buckles to keep children safe. High chairs should be cleaned after every use, since children are likely to drop food in, on and around the high chair.
www.newsreview.com/reno/high-chair-confidential/content?oid=2695987
news.consumerreports.org/baby/2009/06/restaurant-high-chairs-cover-with-tray-replacement-straps.html
Family-Friendly Restaurant Ideas
Adapted from www.MommyShorts.com
Serving food around children:
Strategy #1
While the entire restaurant might be following the sound of that sizzling, cast-iron pan with their eyes bulging and tongues wagging, the parents at the table that ordered it unknowingly are watching in horror as you place it inches from their dexterous two-year-old. Let it cool in the kitchen or place it as far from the child as possible without finding yourself in the parking lot. Likewise, just because we ordered steak, doesn't mean you should hand the child a steak knife.
Strategy #2
We understand that many establishments don’t offer lids for every cup. If this is the case, and if no alternate take-out vessel is available, do not put said un-lidded cup full of juice directly in front of anyone under four feet tall. You’ll be out of napkins before you’re out of the dinner special.
Strategy #3
We don’t expect to walk into your four-star bistro and be handed a pack of crayons and a placemat maze. But please know that without these happy distractions, each minute that passes without a greeting or a bread basket is another minute those kids have to occupy themselves with whatever’s handy. No one likes a fork to the forehead.
Strategy #4
When you notice that most plates are empty, or food is being sculpted into zoo animals by bored little fingers, make haste with the check. Chances are one of the parents is asleep, and the other is now outnumbered by the children who, having eaten, are growing increasingly restless. Meltdowns are looming and the busboy will appreciate your promptness.
Strategy #5
First of all, it's probably best you don't tell us about dessert unless we ask. Once you mention doughnuts with assorted dipping sauces, there is no turning back.
Additional Family Friendly Restaurant Links:
restaurants.about.com/od/marketing/a/Kid_Friendly.htm
restaurants.about.com/od/decidingontheconcept/tp/ChildFriendly.htm
Young Diner Safety:
Scald Prevention - Scald burns are the number one cause of burn injury in children under four. Scald burns can be a life threatening injury.
- Do not place hot beverages or soups near edges of counters or tabletops. Toddlers can reach and climb faster and higher than you think.
- Avoid using tablecloths. They can be pulled causing hot foods to fall onto children.
- Do not hold children while eating hot foods.
- Ask restaurant servers not to serve food or beverages over or around children.