Our History

In 2002, the Pinellas County Health Department launched a Healthy Behaviors employee wellness team. The team introduced the idea of a Healthy Restaurant Program. The program encourages restaurants to change their kid’s menus to offer at least 25 percent healthy choices as approved by a health department nutritionist. Then restaurant then earns the honor and label “Healthy Hero.”

In 2003, the Healthy Choices Restaurant program was picked up by Steps to a Healthier Florida and Florida on the Move in Pinellas County.

In 2007, we launched a new logo and added adult menus to the mix. Currently more than 200 plus restaurants participate in the program. The program gained attention from the local chapter of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, resulting in a beneficial partnership.

In 2008, the Pinellas County Health Department collaborated with two other county health departments in the Tampa Bay area to expand the program. Hillsborough and Pasco Counties have come on board to expand the program into their communities. From this collaboration, an updated logo now asks restaurants to encourage patrons to ask for their meal “cook to order” or to “take 1/2 home.” The Pinellas County Health Department encourages other county health departments in the Florida to collaborate with the Tampa Bay area and incorporate the Healthy Choices Restaurant Program in their communities.