Goshen, N.Y. – Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus and Commissioner of Health Dr. Eli Avila announced on Wednesday that Healthy Orange is seeking restaurants to add a heart healthy item to their menus during February’s American Heart Month.
Eateries that participate in the “Dining with Heart in Orange County” program will be listed on the Department of Health’s website and be featured in a special e-blast to residents and Healthy Orange partners. They will also receive a special window cling to display in their restaurant window. The deadline to register to participate is January 30, 2018.
Last year, nine restaurants participated in the inaugural “Dining with Heart in Orange County” initiative – Anna’s Restaurant, Bliss Kitchen and Café Macchiato in Newburgh, Limoncello’s at the Orange Inn and Delancey’s Restaurant in Goshen, the Chester Diner, Otterkill Golf and Country Club in Campbell Hall, The Borland Inn in Montgomery and Leo’s Italian Restaurant, which has locations in Cornwall and Newburgh.
“I’m excited to collaborate with our Health Department and the American Heart Association on this important initiative again this year,” Neuhaus said. “The “Dining with Heart in Orange County” encourages our great restaurants to offer additional heart healthy items on their menus and also promotes eating healthier when dining out. I’m looking forward to receiving another great response from our local eateries and the community.”
To take part in the “Dining with Heart in Orange County” program, contact Meg Oakes at moakes@orangecountygov.com or JoAnn Parker at joann.parker@heart.org to register. Restaurants can encourage patrons to help support their heart healthy menu options by purchasing a Red Dress Pin or adding a donation to their bill in support of American Heart Month. All donations benefit the Hudson Valley American Heart Association.
The restaurant with the highest fundraising dollars entered online will receive a prize and also be invited to the Tri-County Heart Walk on May 6, 2018 in Stony Point to provide a cooking demonstration featuring their heart healthy recipe.
“I am happy to see that the Orange County Health Department’s Healthy Orange Team is taking part in this initiative again,” Avila said. “Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in this country. However, by living a healthy lifestyle, you can help keep your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar at normal levels and lower your risk for heart disease. “Dining with Heart in Orange County” is another example of how we can meet our goals of promoting good choices by eating healthy.”
Dining with Heart in Orange County is part of the American Heart Association’s Healthy For Good initiative. Healthy For Good is a program designed to encourage Americans to live healthier lives, inspire lasting change, and unify people around the simple idea that making a small change today can create a difference for generations to come.
“Restaurants that participate in “Dining with Heart in Orange County” in February are doing their part to encourage residents to make small changes by reducing sodium and increasing vegetables and fruits on menu items,” said Parker, Corporate Development Director of the American Heart Association of the Hudson Valley. “This helps people make healthier choices while dining out, which can be challenging. We are excited to collaborate with County Executive Neuhaus and the County’s Department of Health and on this initiative.”
For more information, contact Justin Rodriguez, Assistant to the County Executive for Communications and Media Relations at 845.291.3255 or jrodriguez@orangecountygov.com.