The United States Healthful Food Council (USHFC), a nonprofit dedicated to making it easier to dine healthfully and sustainably, announced today that True Food Kitchen’s locations have become REAL Certified, a nationally recognized symbol of culinary nutrition and environmental excellence.
“When we began developing the REAL certification program in 2012, we identified True Food Kitchen as one of the emerging restaurant brands that was demonstrating that serving healthy, sustainable food is actually good for business,” said Lawrence Williams, CEO of United States Healthful Food Council. Co-founders Dr. Andrew Weil, M.D., the father of integrative medicine, and restaurateur Sam Fox created the menu, inspired by the principles of Weil’s anti-inflammatory diet.
The highly-coveted Responsible Epicurean and Agricultural Leadership (REAL) certification has been bestowed only on a select number of restaurant and foodservice providers. Utilizing a points-based REAL Index, third-party registered dietitians evaluate establishments through interviews and menu, supply chain and operations analysis.
Those that earn sufficient points in the areas of Responsible (nutrition), Epicurean (preparation), Agricultural (sourcing) and Leadership (going above and beyond) are able to become REAL Certified.
“REAL signifies authentic, wholesome, nutritious and sustainable food – all of which are values we take seriously at True Food Kitchen,” said co-founder, Fox. “To be recognized with this mark of excellence from the USHFC is not only an honor, it further underscores and validates our commitment to nutrition and sustainable best practices.”
True Food Kitchen offers vegan, vegetarian, naturally organic and gluten-free options, along with dishes for those following a paleo or Mediterranean diet, using fresh, raw ingredients.
Underscoring the pillars of REAL certification, True Food Kitchen also uses local, organic sources wherever possible and emphasizes a conscious, community-based dining experience.
True Food Kitchen is located at Santa Monica Place, Suite 172.
