Healthier Dining Restaurant Program
The Healthier Dining Restaurant Program strives to increase access to healthier foods throughout the county. The program encourages restaurants to highlight their healthier items using a heart sticker on their menus. Participating restaurants are provided with a door decal, program materials, assistance in choosing the healthier items, and free advertising. Restaurants in the program must also let customers know that they can ask for healthier substitutions.
Participating Restaurants
Currently there are nearly 90 local restaurants participating in the program, highlighting over 950 healthier menu items.
View the pocket-size guide to Rockland restaurants offering healthier choices. Participating restaurants in the Healthier Dining Restaurant Program are throughout the county and vary in their food type and prices.
Nutritional Calculation Campaign
Get the Facts! Make your next dining experience full of tasty and smart choices!
Beginning June 3, 21 local restaurants are empowering consumers to make healthier choices by informing the public about the nutritional value of select menu items.
The National Restaurant Association reports that 71% of adults who eat in restaurants are trying to eat healthier than they did two years ago.
The Nutritional Calculation Campaign brochure has more information about smarter dining choices.
Dishes chosen for nutritional calculation have been prepared using a healthier cooking method, such as baked, broiled, steamed, or grilled.
Under the guidance of a Registered Dietitian, recipes have been calculated using ESHA Research's Food Processor Nutrition and Fitness, SQL version 10.4 software.
» View the List of Participating Restaurants
You can use the search field on the right hand side of the list of participating restaurants to search for your favorite restaurant by cuisine, town or restaurant name.
Other Special Promotions
A variety of special healthier dining programs occur at participating restaurant at various times throughout the year.
In the spring of 2008, 18 restaurants offered a special prix fixe menu offering a multi course meal highlighting available healthier choices.
In addition, 20 restaurants created and offered special children’s menus featuring a complete meal that satisfies a child’s hunger and a parent’s conscience. Many of the restaurants continue to offer this special menu. Click here for a list of participants.
A Healthy Reminder: Eat Your Colors to Stay Healthy and Fit
It’s essential to get a colorful variety of vegetables and fruits into your diet every day! Why? Because colorful vegetables and fruits provide the wide range of vitamins and minerals that your body needs to maintain good health and energy levels.
Interested in Joining the Program
Local restaurants are welcome at any time to join the Healthier Dining Restaurant Program. There is no need to change your menu items, simply be willing to highlight healthier choices, such as items that are baked, broiled, grilled or steamed, and allow customers to make substitutions. For more information about becoming a member of this program send us an email
The Program Works
From the process evaluation and anecdotal evidence received, the Healthier Dining Restaurant Program seems to be successful in increasing the availability and awareness of healthier food choices in Rockland County. For example, of the 50 informal surveys conducted with restaurant owners or managers: 55% said they have noticed an increase in the number of customers asking for healthier menu options and 50% said they have had to increase their orders for healthier food items such as whole wheat products, produce, healthier sauces, and chicken (for grilling). Furthermore, the program is clearly appealing to local businesses given the large number participating in the program.
