National Institute of Health Promotes Employees' Healthy Lifestyle

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Sept. 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- National Institute of Health's (NIH) contracted food service partner, Eurest, proudly introduced a new pioneering food and nutrition concept called 'Balance Kitchen' in the ACRF Cafe that is designed to foster and promote worksite health and sustainability.   

Eurest held its grand re-opening of the newly renovated ACRF Cafe on September 15, implementing Balance Kitchen, which includes daily and weekly offerings marked as "Sensible Selections," and highlights better-for-you options throughout the cafe. In collaboration with NIH's health and wellness goals and demographic profile, Eurest customized its offerings with a balance of health-promoting foods at all service points, featuring a bountiful variety of fresh, local and sustainable menu items. Customers will still be able to find their traditional favorites, but a plentiful variety of better-for-you foods and beverages will be positioned front and center and will tempt customers to make healthful and delicious choices. 

"National Institute of Health's mission is to improve the health of the nation and the world through its medical research. Balance Kitchen directly supports that mission by providing the ability to make educated choices by our staff, patients and visitors," said John M. Crawford, Director of Food Services and Concessions Programs at NIH. "It's the right concept in the right place and allows the consumer to package a meal in such a way as to show the total impact on their dietary requirement."

At the grand re-opening, customers loved the renovations, overwhelming freshness of the cafe and variety of Sensible Selections highlighted in green. The delectable better-for-you Bolognese on the 'crEATe' station with whole wheat penne and spaghetti was a big hit among customers. The new marketing and choice architecture of Balance Kitchen provided visual cues to prompt guests to compose healthful meals.

"We have over 1200 guests come through our cafe every day and we want to ensure we provide a balance between delicious and healthful food and beverage choices that please everyone," said Andy Tzortzinis, Eurest's Marketing and Communications Manager.

In addition to the Sensible Selections, Balance Kitchen also engages the customer through mobile technology, which quickly and conveniently connects guests with nutritional information about the menu items they may choose.  Three iPad tablet kiosks are located just inside the main entrance of the cafe that are synced with Eurest's proprietary online nutrition platform, 'Webtrition.' With a few swipes of a finger, guests can determine how their meal will affect their daily nutritional values and goals. 

To make this concept even more holistic, careful consideration will be given to sourcing and sustainability. As the program continues to grow and develop over time, customers can expect to see an expanded selection of sustainable foods and products offered at the ACRF Cafe. These selections will include fair trade organic coffee, sustainably-grown produce and meat and dairy choices that are full of flavor and without the carbon guilt. 

About National Institutes of Health (NIH)
NIH, the nation's medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit www.nih.gov.

About Balance Kitchen
"Balance Kitchen" is a Eurest concept that supports customers' health and wellness goals by promoting and measuring healthy and sustainable lifestyle behaviors. Key features include:

• Fresh, local and health promoting food offerings
• 30% - 50% of all menu items meet FIT criteria
• 75% of all beverages meet FIT criteria
• Every menu item is strictly controlled through the Webtrition program
• Better-for you sides with steamed vegetables and whole grains
• Better-for-you snacking choices
• Nutrition labeling
• Nutrition kiosks

About Eurest
The globally recognized Eurest launched in 1996 in the US and provides dining services to local, regional and national companies within the Business & Industry markets, including employee dining centers, on-site catering, vending, executive dining rooms, and other managed services.  Eurest is proud to serve the world's most respected and successful corporations, including many of the Fortune 500. www.eurest-usa.com

Eurest is a $1.3 billion food and vending organization with more than 15,000 associates throughout the US, and is a division of NC-based Compass Group North America. Compass Group North America is the leading foodservice management and support services company with $12.8 billion USD (£8 billion) in revenues in 2013. With over 500,000 associates worldwide, its parent company, UK-based Compass Group PLC had revenues of £17.6 billion in the fiscal year ending September 30, 2013.

Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140923/14796

SOURCE Eurest