Healthier Kids Fare to debut at NRA Show 2012

Silver Diner - Kids Salmon

By Derrek J. Hull, Blogger-in-Chief

A new Healthier Kids Fare pavilion will launch at the 2012 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show – set for its new dates May 5-8 at Chicago’s McCormick Place. This special area of the exhibit floor at the nation’s largest and most comprehensive industry trade show will make it easy for foodservice operators to find a range of healthful food and beverage products to develop delicious and nutritious children’s menus. 

“Children’s nutrition is one of the strongest trends we’re seeing in the restaurant industry right now,” said Dawn Sweeney, president and CEO of the National Restaurant Association.

Sweeney added, “The success of our new Kids LiveWell program demonstrates that the industry is on the right track when it comes to highlighting nutritious options on menus nationwide. To further support this effort, we created the Healthier Kids Fare pavilion at NRA Show 2012 so that restaurant operators can explore the newest and most innovative food and beverage products related to children’s nutrition on the market today, and continue to expand such options on their menus.” 

Healthier Kids Fare will feature food and beverage manufacturers showcasing nutritious items for kids, including products with limited fats, sugars and sodium, and items that provide essential nutrients. 

In addition, the National Restaurant Association’s Kids LiveWell program, which launched this summer, features dozens of restaurant companies with thousands of locations nationwide. To participate in the program, restaurants must provide children’s menu items that meet specific and strict nutrition criteria. Kids LiveWell will be featured in the National Restaurant Association booth #6300 at the concourse entrance to the North Hall on the exhibit floor.  

Exhibitors in Healthier Kids Fare do not have to meet the Kids LiveWell criteria, but must feature products that contribute to a healthier diet.

For more information, visit the NRA Show Web site at www.restaurant.org/show.