FIRST REAL CERTIFIED RESTAURANTS IN SAN DIEGO ANNOUNCED AT AMERICAN COLLEGE OF LIFESTYLE MEDICINE CONFERENCE

Eat REAL San Diego press release

Media contact: Eleni Papadopoulos
704-281-8484, [email protected]

First REAL Certified Restaurants in San Diego Announced at American College of Lifestyle Medicine Conference

SAN DIEGO – (October 21, 2014) – The United States Healthful Food Council (USHFC) announced today that the first eight restaurants in San Diego have completed REAL Certification. The announcement was made at the American College of Lifestyle Medicine’s (ACLM) conference, which is utilizing REAL Certified foodservice for all of the conference meals. The annual ACLM conference attracts over 500 physicians and other healthcare professionals including notables such as physicians Dean Ornish, Joel Fuhrman and David Katz.

“Diabetes and obesity continue to be the fastest growing chronic diseases, but the good news is that they can be treated and frequently reversed through lifestyle changes,” said Susan Benigas, ACLM Executive Director. “As Americans increasingly rely on food prepared by others, it’s critical that wholesome, healthful options become widely accessible, which is why we are working with REAL Certified.”

REAL Certified, or Responsible Epicurean and Agricultural Leadership, is a holistic nutrition and sustainability certification program. The first restaurants in San Diego to be REAL Certified are: NINE-TEN, Allure, Cowboy Star, Moncai, Sea & Smoke, Solace and the Moonlight Lounge, The WineSellar and Brasserie, and Urban Solace. Each of these foodservice establishments satisfied prerequisites and earned sufficient points in the areas of nutrition, preparation, sourcing and leadership.

“We have a growing generation of Americans where cooking—instead of eating out—has become the special occasion,” said Lawrence Williams, CEO of the USHFC. “But it’s critical to recognize that when you outsource your food, you give up control over decisions that have long-term health consequences.”

Developed by the United States Healthful Food Council, REAL Certified is the emerging national standard for nutrition and sustainability best practices in the foodservice industry.

ABOUT THE UNITED STATES HEALTHFUL FOOD COUNCIL (USHFC)

Established in 2011, the USHFC is a 501(c)(3) registered nonprofit, dedicated to fighting diet-related disease by realigning the food industry’s incentives with consumers’ health interests. The USHFC works towards its mission through the REAL Certified holistic nutrition and sustainability certification program. REAL Certified foodservice operators must satisfy prerequisites and earn sufficient points in the areas of Responsible (nutrition), Epicurean (preparation), Agricultural (sourcing) and Leadership (going above and beyond). The organization has received financial support 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. More information can be found at ushfc.org and REALCertified.org.