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National Restaurant Association Commends Mississippi Hospitality & Restaurant Association on "Eat Healthy Mississippi" Initiative

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Restaurant Association today applauded the Mississippi Hospitality & Restaurant Association (MHRA) on the successful launch of its "Eat Healthy Mississippi" campaign, an initiative to ensure consumers have access to an increasing array of healthful - and locally grown - options, as well as nutrition information to make more informed choices when dining out.

"Today's announcement by the Mississippi Hospitality & Restaurant Association is a great example of forward thinking around our healthy living challenges," said Dawn Sweeney, President and CEO of the National Restaurant Association. "The 'Eat Healthy Mississippi' campaign will provide diners with easy-to-access information in participating independent and chain restaurants alike. The program is especially exciting because restaurants may also offer items from the National Restaurant Association's new Kids LiveWell program, which provides healthful meal items for children, with a particular focus on increasing consumption of fruit and vegetables, lean protein, whole grains and low-fat dairy."

Through MHRA's strategic partnership with National Restaurant Association partner Healthy Dining, participating Eat Healthy Mississippi restaurants will have access to Healthy Dining's expert nutrition services, including consultation on finding menu items that meet nutrition criteria. Restaurants that join the Eat Healthy Mississippi program will have the benefit of having several menu items analyzed and approved by Healthy Dining's dietitians, and their restaurant and healthier choices will be featured on HealthyDiningFinder.com.

MHRA Executive Director Mike Cashion announced the program at a State Capitol press conference in Jackson, Miss., today with Governor Phil Bryant, Department of Agriculture and Commerce Commissioner Cindy Hyde-Smith and Healthy Dining President Anita Jones-Mueller.

Nutrition - particularly kids' nutrition - and local sourcing top the list of menu trends in 2012, according to the National Restaurant Association's What's Hot in 2012 survey of nearly 1,800 professional chefs, all members of the American Culinary Federation. This focus on fresh, healthful meals reflects the restaurant industry's commitment to promote healthy lifestyles.

Click here to learn more about the Eat Healthy Mississippi campaign.

Founded in 1919, the National Restaurant Association is the leading business association for the restaurant industry, which comprises 945,000 restaurant and foodservice outlets and a work force of nearly 13 million employees. Together with the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, the Association works to lead America's restaurant industry into a new era of prosperity, prominence, and participation, enhancing the quality of life for all we serve. For more information, visit our Web site at www.restaurant.org.

SOURCE National Restaurant Association