McDonald's launched a healthy side choices for Happy Meal, including yogurt and apple slices. Now, the burgen chain introduces Sun Pacific's Cuties California Clementines to be part of the growing choices of healthy side dishes for kids.
In December, Cuties will soon join Go-GURT low fat Strawberry Yogurt and apple slices in the line-up of Happy Meal and Mighty Kids Meal side options. The fruits from California will be available until March 2015.
McDonald's senior vice president of menu innovation, Greg Watson, said “We know our customers and parents are looking for ways to enjoy more great-tasting and fun sides in our Happy Meals, and Cuties are the perfect fit.”
Including the Cuties in the menu is part of McDonald's ongoing plan to educate kids about nutrition. A Fresh Cutie is equivalent to a quarter cup of fruit and contains a lot of Vitamin C. Aside from being complementary to Happy Meals, it can also be ordered ala carte.
“As part of our commitment to help families make more nutritious choices, we’ll continue to explore more fruit and low-fat dairy sides for our youngest customers,” said Watson.
According to a press release posted on their website, McDonald's tested the Cuties in 70 restaurants in Austin, Texas. The burger chain is currently rolling out market tests on small-sized bananas. If it yields successful results, it might be included in the roster of new menu options next year.
Sun Pacific's vice president of strategic alliances, Victoria Brown, said it's important for young people to increase their consumption of fruits and vegetables for a long life.
“According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 60 percent of children do not eat enough fruit to meet daily recommendations. We are excited to see McDonald’s find innovative ways to increase customers’ access to fruit and vegetables— as they continue to make progress in our work together to help families and children make healthier choices,” said Brown.
McDonald's first introduced the apple slices as a side dish for Happy Meals in May, 2012 and the yogurt in July, 2014.
