New York Diners Encouraged To Dine Out and Donate Money Toward Healthy Eating In Local Schools

Online, December 10, 2011 (Newswire.com) - NEW YORK - Just in time for the holidays, New York diners will be able to give back to an organization that promotes healthy school food in New York schools.

Through December 18, restaurants around Manhattan will be collecting donations for the New York Coalition for Healthy School Food. A complete list of participating restaurants can be found by visiting http://www.healthyschoolfood.org/restaurant_project.htm.

Restaurants that have agreed to participate so far include: Candle Cafe, Candle 79, Henry's, Pure Food and Wine, and Spring Street Natural. We expect more restaurants to join the project in the next few days.

The New York Coalition for Healthy School Food (NYCHSF) is a New York-based nonprofit currently active in 17 NYC schools promoting healthy plant-based food choices and nutrition education programs.

"With their donation, diners will be giving children the best gift of all: health," said Executive Director Amie Hamlin. "We currently have a waiting list of 48 schools waiting for our service to benefit their children. We need the funds to accomplish this and are looking for restaurant patrons to help our fundraising goals by donating an additional amount to their restaurant check."

Through an anonymous donor, NYCHSF has been promised a $30,000 matching grant on any amount they raise up to $30,000 by the end of the year.

The organization is seeking to raise awareness about current regulations that considers pizza a vegetable, and proposed regulations that are suggesting that meat be offered each morning for breakfast.

This is the first year NYCHSF has partnered with local restaurants as a fundraising tool. The organization hopes to expand to additional restaurants and make this a semi-annual initiative.

NYCHSF introduces plant-based foods and nutrition education in schools to educate the whole school community.
For additional information and to learn more please visit us at: http://www.healthylunches.org/.