Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH) and McDonald’s have partnered to help educate consumers on the importance of including a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables in their daily meals and snacks. “We are very pleased to have McDonald’s join the foundation‘s Board of Trustees,” says Elizabeth Pivonka, Ph.D., R.D. president of PBH. “We look forward to working with them as part of their newly announced “Balanced, Active Lifestyles Platform” to educate consumers about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and bring them more fruit and vegetable options at McDonald’s.”

To support McDonald’s ongoing commitment, PBH will bring its expertise on healthy eating and relate it to McDonald’s balanced, active lifestyles platform through educational materials available in-restaurant such as table tents, tray liners, brochures, and packaging; new menu options that follow the 5-A-Day for Better Health program guidelines; and by including McDonald’s in foodservice research projects.

“McDonald’s is excited to partner with PBH and their leading role in fruit and vegetable nutrition marketing,” says Mike Donahue, vice president of McDonald’s U.S. communications. “Together we can educate consumers about McDonald’s food choices that help them eat a colorful variety of fruits and vegetables.”

McDonald’s balanced, active lifestyle platform is focused on three significant areas: food choices, education and physical activity.

• Food Choice: McDonald’s continues to update its menu, offering customers choice and variety. McDonald’s recently introduced menu items which include: Apple Dippers, Fruit ‘n Yogurt Parfait, and Premium Salads.

• Education: McDonald’s provides detailed nutrition information on tray liners and in-restaurant “McDonald’s & You” Nutrition Facts brochures and on the food and nutrition section of www.mcdonalds.com, which receives more than 250,000 customer visits every month.

• Physical Activity: In 2004, McDonald’s launched the “Go Active! American Challenge” with Bob Greene. Greene walked and bicycled more than 3,000 miles across America for 36 consecutive days, challenging people to take steps toward more active lives. McDonald’s is continuing its “Go Active! American Challenge” this year through a number of educational outreach activities, both nationally and locally, with the support of Greene.