FIRST “REAL CERTIFIED” FOODSERVICE ESTABLISHMENTS IN TENNESSEE ANNOUNCED

April 7, 2014

Media contact: Amanda Saad
615-379-7482, [email protected]

First “REAL Certified” Foodservice Establishments in Tennessee Announced

NASHVILLE, TN – (April 7, 2014) – Through a partnership between the Tennessee Department of Health and the United States Healthful Food Council REAL Certification(USHFC), Eat REAL™ Tennessee has announced the state’s first foodservice establishments to achieve . Responsible Epicurean and Agricultural Leadership (REAL) is a growing national program that helps combat diet-related disease by recognizing foodservice operators committed to holistic nutrition and environmental stewardship.

“We’re pleased to recognize these leaders who are providing food that is not only good for business, but also good for Tennesseans,” said Project Manager Kristen Korzenowski. “These operators are contributing to a culture where the healthy choice is the easy choice.”

Tennessee’s inaugural class of twelve REAL Certified foodservice establishments includes: 1808 Grille, The Barn and The Main House at Blackberry Farm, Frothy Monkey, Joe Natural’s Café, Juice Bar, My Veggie Chef, Sloco, Sunflower Café, The Wild Cow, Garden Brunch Café, Sky Blue Café and the new Music City Center in Nashville.

“I am so thrilled to be seeing some of my favorite restaurants in Nashville receive this kind of recognition,” said singer-songwriter Holly Williams. “We are becoming such an incredible town for passionate foodies like myself. As a serious lover of good food and of Tennessee, I’m really proud to support this effort.”

Utilizing the points-based REAL Index, independent registered dietitians conduct an assessment of menu offerings and overall nutrition and sustainability practices. Establishments are credited with points across a range of criteria such as the use of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, healthy preparation methods, moderate portion sizes, unsweetened beverages, healthy children’s options and sustainable sourcing. Those that satisfy the necessary requirements are awarded REAL Certification.

“With the increased consumption of food prepared away from home, it’s critical that we help families find restaurants that serve healthier food and beverages,” said Kristie Ryan, Executive Director of the Tennessee chapter of the American Diabetes Association. “We believe that Eat REAL positively impacts both consumers and foodservice operators in our state.”

Eat REAL Tennessee is a statewide initiative supported through a grant from the Tennessee Health Department as part of an innovative approach to preventing diabetes and obesity across the state. The program also serves as a community outreach platform, engaging and educating the public on nutrition and healthy dietary choices.

“We’re honored that so many establishments are embracing Eat REAL,” said Lawrence Williams, CEO of the USHFC. “We look forward to recognizing more leaders in Tennessee and throughout the country.”

All REAL Certified establishments are featured on eatREAL.org and through the USHFC’s local partners to help promote “better for you” dining options. REAL Certified locations will be highlighted on ToGo Order, an online take-out ordering service. The USHFC is also partnering with FoodCare on a mobile app that will help individuals suffering from diet-related diseases, such as diabetes, to find appropriate restaurants that can accommodate their dietary needs.

The newly certified Tennessee establishments mark an expansion of REAL Certification, which launched with a restaurant campaign in Washington, DC, last year and has since grown to over 80 locations that include restaurants, workplace dining facilities and public venues across the country.

ABOUT UNITED STATES HEALTHFUL FOOD COUNCIL (USHFC)

Established in 2011, the USHFC is a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization dedicated to fighting diet-related disease by realigning the food industry’s incentives with consumers’ health interests. The organization receives financial support through grants from the Tennessee Department of Health, the Park Foundation and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation President’s Grant Fund of the Princeton Area Community Foundation. The USHFC works towards its mission through the Responsible Epicurean and Agricultural Leadership (REAL) Certification, which assesses and certifies food and foodservice establishments based on their utilization of nutrition and sustainability best practices. More information at ushfc.org and eatREAL.org.