Food vendors to offer healthier options at city parks

Local food vendors will soon offer healthier options at city parks.

Healthy eating on-the-go is not that simple, especially for parents who spend a majority of their time at little league games.

City-contracted food trucks are now required to have ten percent of its menu filled with healthier alternatives.

Big Boy Concessions is one of five companies contracted through the city of El Paso and has several snacks bars and trucks located around the city.

Vice president, Norma Tena, said Big Boy Concessions has offered healthier options for a few years, but said now there is a bigger push with the city’s new initiative.

“I think this is really going to kick it off. Everyone is carrying their bottled waters and walking more, so this is going to make it easier for El Pasoans to make better choices,” said Tena.

The city said its part of a plan to improve quality of life and customer service. It was the customers who requested to have healthier food alternatives at city parks.

Some innovative menu items included sugar free snow cones, healthier chip options, fresh fruit bowls and salads.

The new options are endorsed by Eat Well! El Paso, a program started by the city’s public health department aimed to improve the local food environment by expanding healthy food options for children and their families.

Eat Well! El Paso is responsible for changing children’s menus at some local restaurants.

City officials will introduce the healthier menu options Friday afternoon (1pm) at the Acosta Sports Center located at 4321 Delta Street.

Below are the locations where all five food vendors will be located:

Marty Robbins Park
Chester Jordan Park
Dick Shinaut Park
Sal Barroteran Park
Northeast Regional Park
Veterans Park
Nations Tobin Park
Sue Young Park
Pavo Real
Westside Sports Complex
Valley Creek
Thorn
Blackie Chesher
Yucca Park
Lomaland
Lionel Forti
Rancho Del Sol
Pavo Real
Marion Manor
JP Shawver
Ice Cream
Eastwood
Reese McCord
Pebble Hills
Cielo Vista
Carolina
Galatzan
Stiles
Burning Mesquite
Rainbow
Saipan Ledo