Sebelius honors Sedgwick Co. restaurants for healthy menus
Dine Out Kansas! identifies dining establishments with healthy menu options

Governor Kathleen Sebelius today recognized 27 restaurants in Sedgwick County with the Best of the Best award for their efforts to help Kansans eat healthy when dining out.

The award is from Dine Out Kansas!, which is part of the Governor’s HealthyKansas initiative and is designed to encourage Kansans to make healthier choices when going out to eat.

“Eating healthy when dining out can be a challenge,” Sebelius said. “I want to thank these restaurants in Wichita and Sedgwick County for helping Kansans make healthier choices.  I hope other restaurants across Kansas will join them in offering healthier items on their menus so they too can be identified as being among the Best of the Best.”

A recognition ceremony will be held today at 1 p.m. in Wichita at the Sedgwick County Health Department at 1900 E 9th Street.  Representatives from Sedgwick County and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) will jointly present the awards.

Best of the Best restaurants must successfully pass their annual KDHE inspection, offer a 100 percent smoke-free dining environment, serve healthy entrees and offer healthy menu substitutions to customers.  The Best of the Best award is good for a one-year period from the date of award and must be renewed annually by the restaurant owner.  Applications are reviewed and approved by KDHE.

Nomination forms are available online at www.healthykansas.org.  Restaurants can self-nominate or be nominated by members of the public.  Award recipients are listed on the HealthyKansas Web site.

Launched in 2004, the HealthyKansas initiative encourages Kansans to take more responsibility for improving their health by increasing their level of physical activity, eating healthy and avoiding tobacco.  Kansans can take the HealthyKansas pledge online at www.healthykansas.org.

Sedgwick County Best of the Best Award Recipients:

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