Getting Started on Restaurants

Encourage Restaurants to Offer Reasonably Sized Portions and Low-Fat and Low-Calorie Menus

• Local policy-makers or local government agencies can meet with restaurant owners and provide incentives (e.g., free advertisements on buses) for them to offer healthier food.
• Local governments can establish voluntary agreements with restaurant owners who serve healthier options and educate them on the potential fiscal benefits of promoting healthier foods and reasonably-sized portions. Local governments can formally acknowledge participating restaurants through community events, Web sites, etc.

Encourage Restaurant Menu Labeling



• Since most menu labeling occurs at the local level, local governments can establish a community task force to develop local policies. To ease the burden on restaurants, some public health organizations are advocating for calorie labeling as a first step to more comprehensive menu labeling.
• Local policy-makers can implement policies requiring restaurants to provide menu labeling, and work with restaurants to list healthier choices on menus.
• Local policy-makers can involve local universities or community-based groups to advocate for the support of menu labeling.