Compelling statistics from the Maine Department of Human Services, Bureau of Health indicate that Mainers are becoming increasingly overweight, obese and sedentary. In fulfilling our non-profit mission to represent, promote and educate Maine's restaurant industry we take all health issues seriously and obesity is no exception. Therefore, today we are launching Diner's Choice® with the support of the Bureau of Health. Diner's Choice® is a program that highlights our members' ongoing efforts to provide a wide variety of foods to dining patrons and to accommodate their dietary needs and requests.

The Time Is Now
The importance of implementing Diner's Choice® now is made evident by information from our member restaurants and statistics from the Bureau of Health:

• Restaurants report that more consumers today are seeking options and welcoming the wide variety of food choices available on Maine menus.
• BOH reports that over half (56%) of Maine adults are either overweight or obese,
• BOH reports that only one quarter of Maine adults eat the recommended five servings of fruits and vegetables daily.

Our Goals
Through Maine restaurants, MeRA will use Diner's Choice® to:

• Promote the availability of a wide variety of food choices and options at Diner's Choice® restaurants.
  
• Support our members as they train staff, especially servers, to know the menu thoroughly. This includes knowing portion sizes, understanding the ingredients used, and the chef's preparation of each item.
  
• Support the ongoing Bureau of Health effort to educate Maine families on nutritional balance, moderation, and physical activity by providing diners with "3 Steps to a Healthy Lifestyle" information.
  
• Support our Bureau of Health as they encourage increased physical activity in the daily lives of Maine people.

Together We Educate

• Through Diner's Choice® MeRA will highlight the options available while dining out and empower individual choice at Maine Restaurants.
• The BOH is designing programs that will address healthy eating at home, the power of good food choices and the importance of regular physical activity.

MeRA and the BOH believe that information and education at a grassroots level is a good long-term solution with far-reaching results. Education results in knowledgeable choices at the kitchen table. Diner's Choice® empowers informed choices at the restaurant table.

Diner's Choice® created through a generous grant from the Safe Fund of the National Restaurant Association.

What Does Diner's Choice Mean To Maine Consumers?

Background FACTS & INFORMATION