Restaurant Association of Maryland Blog

Montgomery County Council passes Menu Labeling Legislation

On November 17, 2009, the Montgomery County Council passed menu labeling legislation (Council Bill 19-07) by a vote of 8 to 1.  This legislation, sponsored by Councilman George Leventhal (D-At Large) and Councilwoman Duchy Trachtenberg (D-At Large), requires restaurants with 20 or more locations nationwide (regardless of ownership) to display total calories next to menu board items or printed menu items.  Additional nutrition information must be made available to customers upon request.  This legislation becomes effective on July 1, 2010.

RAM worked hard to build credible arguments against council action.  In fact, our messages were so valid that they were echoed in an editorial by the Gazette newspaper opposing the bill.  RAM also broadened opposition to the legislation by involving the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, Bethesda-Chevy Chase Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce.

We are deeply disappointed by the Montgomery County Council’s passage of this legislation.  While politically popular, local menu labeling laws contribute to a growing patchwork of inconsistent regulations that confuse both restaurateurs and their customers.  We believe that nutrition disclosure laws are best handled at the federal level to insure a uniform, nationwide standard for chain restaurants that operate in multiple jurisdictions.

Nation's Restaurant News: Maryland county to require menu labeling

Nation's Restaurant News

ROCKVILLE, Md. (Nov. 17, 2009) Montgomery County Council members passed a measure Tuesday requiring some restaurants to post calorie counts on menus and menu boards.

The law, which was passed by an 8-1 vote, requires restaurants in the Maryland county with 20 or more outlets nationwide to post calorie counts alongside food items and provide additional nutritional information to customers upon request.

Read more: http://www.nrn.com/article.aspx?menu_id=1368&id=376056#ixzz0XEVB5EGE

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The Gazette: Counting calories

Rules requiring upfront disclosure by fast-food spots should be national

Counting calories

Montgomery County Council member George Leventhal's resurrected proposal to require that certain chain restaurants in the county post calorie information on their menus or menu boards is ill-timed, unnecessary local meddling.

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Montgomery Co. Council to Vote on Calorie Content Proposal | NewsChannel 8

Montgomery Co. Council to Vote on Calorie Content Proposal | NewsChannel 8.

Montgomery County (web | news) , Md. - If you're craving a burger and fries, would seeing the calorie content make you order a salad instead?

Some Montgomery County Councilmembers hope so. In an effort to fight obesity, the council is expected to vote next week on a proposal that would require chain restaurants to post calorie content.

If the measure passes, any restaurant with more than 20 locations nationally would be required to follow the law. That includes standard fast food restaurants and other casual chains like Chili's, Outback Steakhouse and T.G.I. Fridays

The Association continues to work with the elected leaders in Montgomery County on this bill.

Fox News: Calories, Fat, Sodium Info Could Come to Montgomery County, Maryland Menus

Calories, Fat, Sodium Info Could Come to Montgomery County, Maryland Menus.

Montgomery County, Maryland may soon be joining New York City and King County, Washington-- home of Seattle-- in requiring chain restaurants to post calories for each item on their menu boards. Even menu boards for drive-thru windows would be required to list calories, fat, and sodium data for every food or drink item for sale.

Howard County Tourism Recognizes Restaurant Industry Leader

Howard County Tourism & Promotion recognized RAM Board Member Joe Barbera, Aida Bistro & Wine Bar

for inspiring the nation’s first BUY LOCAL Restaurant Weeks and leading by example that 25+ uniquely Howard County restaurants could and would partner  with 20+ Maryland farmers, fishers, wineries and brewers. With the Tourism Team and Economic Development Authority, Mr. Barbera hosted meetings, solicited sponsorships and pitched the media ensuring that the promotion was a success.  Howard County Chef’s created menus featuring local products and produce, paired with Maryland wines and beers. Mr Barbera was instrumental in the introduction of Howard County’s first restaurant weeks, a first for a county, not a major US city to do so. Howard County Restaurant Weeks increases revenues for local restaurateurs by over 40% during the promotion.

Mr Barbera, a 2009 Soiree Dancing Star and board member at Howard Community College was also presented a $3,500 check a Hospitality & Culinary Management scholarship at the College. Barbera also is the 2010 Chair of the Howard County Tourism & Promotion.

Maryland Restaurants Compete in "Buy Local Cookout"

Governor Martin O’Malley Invites Local Foodservice Professionals and Farmers to Help Kick-Off the Buy Local Challenge Week

In early May, Governor Martin O’Malley invited teams made up of a chef and one or more farmers, watermen, or producers to submit recipes using local ingredients for Maryland’s annual “Buy Local Cookout.” The event was held at Government House in Annapolis earlier today. The cook out is the signature kick-off event for the statewide Buy Local Challenge Week (July 18-26), during which all Marylanders are encouraged to eat at least one local product each day of the week. 

Maryland restaurateurs across the state have rallied behind the “Buy-Local” movement purchasing directly from independent and family farms. “Our restaurateurs see and taste the benefits of offering local products to diners: exceptional freshness, local business support, a stronger economy, health-conscious food options and a protected environment,” commented Paul Hartgen, President and CEO of the Restaurant Association of Maryland. “A number of our chefs have taken the Challenge’s ‘Buy Local Pledge’ developing top-notch recipes that showcase what Maryland’s bounty has to offer. Tilghman Island Inn in Talbot County has already created an amazing oyster recipe they can’t wait to unveil! That contagious enthusiasm is what our industry exudes and diners across Maryland will reap the benefits” Hartgen added.

Cookout participants are required to submit recipes using local ingredients. Recipes that represent Maryland’s best bounty will be chosen in each of the following categories: appetizer, main dish, side dish or salad, dessert, beverage and table decor.

In a recent release at www.buy-local-challenge.com Governor O’Malley shared his support of the Buy Local Challenge Week. “We are very excited to feature local chefs, farmers and products at the cookout. The bounty of our land and water along with those Marylanders who harvest them are key’s to Maryland’s unique character. When we purchase and eat fresh, local products, we are putting our families first by providing strong nutrition, keeping money in the local economy, and ultimately preserving open space by keeping farmers on the land. Buying locally moves us toward a smart, green and growing future for all Marylanders.”

Love Local Maryland, a grassroots initiative designed to stimulate economic vitality in the state of Maryland also informs Marylanders of the advantage of spending their money locally. The Restaurant Association of Maryland is a founding partner of the statewide program designed to promote and educate the public about the significant economic and environmental benefits derived from supporting our local businesses. LoveLocalMaryland.com, the online home for the initiative, provides an interactive way for consumers to search for local businesses and begin building a strong and sustainable Maryland economy.

Buy Local Plus: RAM meets with Department of Agriculture

The Restaurant Association of Maryland's president, Paul Hartgen, sat down with the team from the Maryland Department of Agriculture to discuss ways in which the restaurant industry can better partner with the state's agricultural initiatives.

Some of the next steps that emerged: Working on"distribution/on-line marketplace" software to connect Maryland Farmers with Maryland Restaurant Operators; Finding a way to tie in our Restaurant Association of Maryland Educational Foundation's 3,000 ProStart students with the Farm to School Program and locally grown products;  Looking for way to have restaurant operators make use of the "Maryland's Best" logo way to promote these products to their customers.

The participants in today's meeting were:
Noreen Eberly, Director, Seafood Marketing and Aquaculture Development
Amy Crone, Marketing Specialist
Leith McMenamin, Public Information Intern
Sue duPont, Director of Communications
Mark Powell, Chief of Marketing
Jane Storrs, Director of National Marketing
Julie Oberg, Public Information Officer

The meeting came at the request of Colm O'Comartun, Director of the Governor's Office.

If you'd like to participate in any of these initaives, please contact the Restaurant Association of Maryland at 410-290-6800.

Industry Response & Resources Addressing Swine Flu

As of this morning 20 cases of Swine Influenza (Swine Flu) have been identified in 5 U.S. states. The National Restaurant Association is closely monitoring this issue as well as communicating with all pertinent government & health organizations, such as USDA, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

At this time the National Restaurant Association is preparing resources for the restaurant community to address concerns. The Association will launch these materials on our website and will host a conference call later today to discuss the issue.

 

Restaurant Association of Maryland Supports Phasing Out Trans Fats

NATIONAL RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION SMARTBRIEF | 03/06/2009

The Restaurant Association of Maryland will support HB 567, a bill that would require Maryland restaurants to phase out trans fats, if it also applies to packaged goods. "The restaurant industry strongly supports phasing out the use of artificial trans fats. ... Our goal is to be virtually trans fat-free by the time this legislation takes effect in October 2010," according to the association.  Los Angeles Times (Registration Required)