Southern California McDonald's® Restaurants to Offer Free Apple Slices to Costumed Children on Halloween

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- In an effort to raise awareness of McDonald's new Happy Meal, participating Southern California McDonald's restaurants will offer one free bag of apple slices to costumed customers under the age of 12 on Halloween. This one-day offer is available at participating McDonald's restaurants in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties from 4 to 7 p.m. on October 31.

In September, California was one of the first states to unveil the new Happy Meal which automatically includes Apple Slices (1/4 cup or 1/2 serving) and new smaller size French Fries (approximately 1.1 ounces) as a side to the choice of Chicken McNuggets®, a Hamburger, or Cheeseburger.  The meal also includes a choice of beverage in which 1% white milk or fat-free chocolate milk are options.  The new Happy Meal is now available at all Southern California McDonald's and nationwide by the first quarter of 2012.

The new Happy Meal aims to address a challenge kids face in meeting the recommended daily consumption of produce. The new Happy Meal is anticipated to introduce about 100 million cups of produce annually into the diets of McDonald's youngest customers.

"We are excited to offer this nutritious treat for children this Halloween season," said Michael Mangione, Jr., McDonald's owner/operator and president, McDonald's Operators' Association of Southern California (MOASC). "The Halloween apple slice giveaway is another example of our commitment to children's well-being and part of our broader effort to educate children and their parents on the benefits of fruits and vegetables."

The new Happy Meal is part of McDonald's USA "Commitment to Offer Improved Nutrition Choices", a comprehensive plan which aims to help customers–especially children and families – make nutrition-minded choices whether visiting McDonald's or eating elsewhere. In addition to adding a produce or low-fat dairy option to every Happy Meal, McDonald's will reduce added sugars, saturated fat and calories through varied portion sizes, reformulations and innovations by 2020.  Furthermore, the company will reduce sodium an average of 15 percent across its national menu of food choices by 2015.

For more information about the new Happy Meal and McDonald's "Commitments to Offer Improved Nutrition Choices", visit www.McDonalds.com/changing.

MOASC is composed of more than 600 franchised and company-owned McDonald's restaurants in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties. Follow us on Twitter: @McDonalds_SoCal.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Micholl Azenon/Eniko Bolivar
Porter Novelli
(323) 762-2500
micholl.azenon@porternovelli.com

SOURCE McDonald's of Southern California