Minister meets with partners in Heart Smart Restaurant Program

Health and Community Services Minister Julie Bettney met recently with partners in the Heart Smart Restaurant Program to launch a major expansion of the popular health promotion program.

The Heart Smart Restaurant Program is designed to encourage restaurants to offer healthy food choices to their clientele. The program is based on a list of healthy foods criteria which participating restaurants agree to make available to their patrons. These healthy food selections are displayed on promotional materials throughout the restaurant.

"The program has been functioning well, primarily in urban areas, for several years," Minister Bettney said. "With the development of new promotional materials and resources - and the cooperation of health agencies, restaurants and volunteers - we now expect this success can be echoed in other communities across the province."

The Heart Smart Restaurant Program will be implemented by the Regional Heart Health Coalitions headquartered in St. John's, Holyrood, Clarenville, Gander, Corner Brook, Flower's Cove and Sheshatshiu. The coalitions are supported by the provincial Heart Health Program in cooperation with the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Dr. Catherine Donovan, medical health officer with Health and Community Services, Eastern, is a long-time supporter of the program.

"This province has one of the highest rates of cardio-vascular disease and modifiable risk factors in the country," Dr. Donovan said. "These risk factors can be prevented with the help of community action - and the Heart Smart Restaurant Program is an excellent example of community action that creates a supportive environment for people to make healthy choices."

Meanwhile, Minister Bettney noted it was appropriate the program's expansion is being announced during February, which is Heart Month throughout Canada.



Photo #1: Partners in the Heart Smart Restaurant Program met recently to announce the province-wide expansion of the program. From left are: Margaret Coombs, nutritionist with Health and Community Services, St. John's; Paula Ewing, education co-ordinator with the Heart and Stroke Foundation; Health and Community Services Minister Julie Bettney; Dr. Catherine Donovan, medical health officer with Health and Community Services, Eastern; Lona Warren, a long-time volunteer with the Heart Smart Restaurant Program and Carol Ann MacDonald, manager of the Heart Health Program in Newfoundland and Labrador. (February 22, 2001)


Media contact: Carmel Parsons (709) 729-1377.


2001 02 23                                                     1:40 p.m.