A chance to meet McDonald's Director of Nutrition

[grayzone]

Hello, I'm Jeff Grayson and I work in public relations. One of our clients is the McDonald's Twin Cities Co-Op. Moms like you on this site may have heard that McDonald's is going to have a new Happy Meal as part of its long-term plan to offer nutritionally-balanced choices while helping to increse nutrition awareness and access to information. It's about to debut in the Twin Cities and the goal is to have it national by February 2012.

Without sounding like a commercial on this site, apple slices (no more caramel dip, so the name will no longer be Apple Dippers) will now be included with every Happy Meal. You can still have fries for your child, but they will be reduced from 2.4 ounces to 1.1 ounces and served in a special new "Kids Fries" box. You can also skip the french fries and get two bags of Apple Slices if you prefer.

To help bring this to the Twin Cities market and also promote awareness to McDonald's commitment to children's well-being, we're having Julia Braun in town on Thursday afternoon at 3 p.m. at the McDonald's on street level at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis.

She'll talk about McDonald's, but also will be happy to answer questions. We thought we'd invite a few Moms, but we realize it's short notice. If any of you can come, we'll take the first ten who respond here; I'll receive your email. It will be an informal setting, but we thought it would be a nice opportunity, and we'll serve refreshments as well. Thanks for your time regardless and congratulations on your new site! JG

Read more: www.momsofminnesota.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=about&action=display&thread=443#ixzz1bj3MAv2T

[CindyChapman]

Hey moms -/ they are looking for 10 MOMs from our site to participate!!! This is very cool!!! I know Jeff, so this is perfectly legit. And a great time to spread the word about our site!!!

[ladyandrearose]

I could be a possibility. It all hems on everyone showing up for work that day.

[babyscute]

Andrea If you're leaving from the restaurant you could swing by here

[grayzone]

And anyone is welcome, really, but I threw that number ten out there just because space in the restaurant won't be infinite, but we'd love to see as many of you as we can, given the space.

[JazzyMaxie]

Please excuse my skepticism, but rather than looking like a healthier choice for children....it looks like a new name for a continued trend in the fast food industry. Giving the consumer less for the same amount of money! Example: Dollar Value Menu HAD a double cheeseburger. Now, the Dollar Value Menu HAS a McDouble (one less piece of cheese)...but still the same cost.

Sure...there are many children who need smaller portion sizes to aid in this weight epidemic. But, what about children who are active and need an adequate amount of calories. What about making McDonalds fries better for you, rather than giving you less?!?

Truth be told, when we have found the occasion to eat at McDonalds, I have asked my son if he prefers to have a Kids' Meal or an Adult Meal. At 6 years old, of course he wants the Kids' Meal, but he knows that if that is his choice, he is still going to be hungry! And my kid doesn't have an ounce of fat on him!

[grayzone]

I don't want to get in the position of being a spokesperson for McDonald's; that's not my job and it would be out of line on my part to assume that role with you.

But I can tell you that there is no reduction in value with this new Happy Meal, because now you're getting two portions that equal the one you chose before (a Happy Meal had roughly 2.4 ounces, either fries or apples, before; now the two will add up to that same total served together, but apples are in every meal).

But feel free to ask this question in person. And the fries are 0-grams trans fat in every restaurant in the country.

And check out this site at www.mcdonalds.com/changing for more.

You're making a good point on caloric intake, and it's not easy to have uniformity, since one size does not fit all when you're talking about how many calories one child should have compared to another.

But please know that while I'm not a spokesperson, I can tell you that McDonald's values feedback; that's one of the reasons they've made this change to have fruit with every Happy Meal. If you'd like to hear this discussion and then ask a question, we invite you to attend. Regardless, we will pass along your comment.

[JazzyMaxie]

Very well stated. Thank you for taking the time to take me seriously, and answer my questions! Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend the forum, but I hope that you have a great turnout!

Oct 24, 2011 14:55:40 GMT -6 grayzone said:

I don't want to get in the position of being a spokesperson for McDonald's; that's not my job and it would be out of line on my part to assume that role with you.

But I can tell you that there is no reduction in value with this new Happy Meal, because now you're getting two portions that equal the one you chose before (a Happy Meal had roughly 2.4 ounces, either fries or apples, before; now the two will add up to that same total served together, but apples are in every meal).

But feel free to ask this question in person. And the fries are 0-grams trans fat in every restaurant in the country.

And check out this site at www.mcdonalds.com/changing for more.

You're making a good point on caloric intake, and it's not easy to have uniformity, since one size does not fit all when you're talking about how many calories one child should have compared to another.

But please know that while I'm not a spokesperson, I can tell you that McDonald's values feedback; that's one of the reasons they've made this change to have fruit with every Happy Meal. If you'd like to hear this discussion and then ask a question, we invite you to attend. Regardless, we will pass along your comment.

[aprilandy]

Sounds interesting