With Americans now eating a third of their meals away from home, it is even more important for people to know they can choose healthier foods when then eat in restaurants. To help them with these choices in Fall River, Partners for a Healthier Community and its Healthy City Fall River project, working with the Fall River Health Department, launched a Healthy Dining program in the City on November 16, 2006. Modeled after similar programs in Boston and Somerville, MA, the program will solicit local restaurants who are willing to meet some basic criteria. Diners will be assured that they can get fruits and vegetables or substitutions of vegetables or a salad for fried potatoes (e.g. French fries), or smaller portion sizes by going to participating food establishments. The Fall River Department of Health is sending out applications to over 200 locations with the food service renewal forms. Those establishments who do apply and are judged to meet the criteria will receive Healthy City stickers that they can place on their door as well as free listings on the Healthy City web site and other signs throughout the community. To read the Fall River Herald News article, click here. To read the Providence Journal article, click here. For more information about the program, contact the Chief Food inspector at 508-324-2520.
 

(Top row, left) Herald News reporter Grant Welker interviews Health and Human Services Director Michael Coughlin about the program at the Diman Regional Vocational High School Tea Room. (Top row, center) Mr. Coughlin explains how the program will work to reporter Welker, Swede's Cafe owner John Brandt and Jessica Williams of the UMass Nutrition Education Program. (Top row, right) Healthy City Fall River Coordinator David Weed is interviewed by Providence Journal staff writer C. Eugene Emery Jr.. (Middle row, left) Mrs. Edward Gancarski places her order for lunch at the Diman Tea Room with her daughter Joan who is employed by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Food Protection Program. (Middle row, center) LePage's Seafood Grille, a Healthy Dining participating restaurant. (Middle row, right) Carol LePage of LePage's Seafood places a Healthy City Fall River sticker on the door of her dining room. (Bottom row) Healthy Dining program participating restaurants: Waterstreet Cafe, TA Restaurant and Swede's Cafe.