I never would have considered McDonald’s as socially responsible, but the company actually has an entire CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) department. I might have considered this group just McDonald’s PR move in response to the onslaught of negative press, until a friend who is probably the most socially responsible person I know went to work with McDonald’s. Check out Jessica’s blog posting on their “Open for McDiscussion” website.

I think Jessica is right in that McDonald’s has a long way to go, but hopefully those of us passionate about the need for change can help her influence change at Mickey D’s.

Pret a Manager, which means “ready to eat” in French, is a store that offers pre-prepared salads, sandwiches, and snacks.  Pret’s 159 locations are mostly in Great Britain and are trusty for a yummy, quick, natural, though not always low calorie meal.  Pret opened in Manhattan in 2000 with plans to open 40 locations by the end of that year.  It ended up only opening 16 and closing 6 soon after.  Pret, 33% owned by McDonald’s since 2001, is once again planning an expansion in the States with up to 4 more Manhattan locations opening in 2007.

At the book release party for Appetite for Profit: how the Food Industry Undermines our Health and How to Fight Back, I was able to meet author Michele Simon, a public health lawyer and expert on food and nutrition policy. Michele spoke about her book and the disconnect between what companies are saying vs. the lobbying they are doing. Her opinion is that companies do not have the incentives to offer truly healthy food options.

Michele also discussed the unprecedented board of health ban of transfat in NYC and mentioned that high fructose corn syrup is the next item that we should be targeted that “does not belong in the food system”. She believes that restaurants should be required to post nutritional info. Read more from Michele on her blog at Informed Eating.

After fast food joints the health wave seems to be catching up with local convenience stores. With increased pressures on time and heightened awareness about healthy food options, it isn’t a surprise that convenience stores have started stacking up healthy food options right next to their salty snacks. Local convenience stores like Royal Farms and 7-Eleven join dozens of fast food chains in providing more nutritious offerings to busy commuters.

Jeff Lenard, from the National Association of Convenience Stores says that customers are evolving with their tastes and becoming more health conscious. Convenience is the most important factor for customers in choosing what they eat and health is the second most important factor, thus even small local convenience stores and gas stations have started including healthy food options like fresh fruits and vegetables in their fare. Though fresh food may be more costly, convenience stores know that customers on the move will go elsewhere for healthy options. Major chains now even have their own healthy brands: Royal Farms offers their healthy foods under the name of “Good to Go’ while 7-Eleven serves its fare under the ‘Pick Smart’ name. Popular offerings are salads, 5-ounce fruit cups, celery and carrot sticks with ranch dressing, low fat low calorie sandwiches and even fresh low calorie fruit punch or lemonade.

The prices for these products is a little higher that the preservative packed foods but consumers are willing to pay the extra bit to get healthy food while they are in a hurry.

The trend is especially good news for those constantly on the move, now look forward to better health and not just carbonated drinks and candy bars to move you along.