PARAMOUNT -- Mariscos El Perihuete restaurant in Paramount will be recognized Wednesday for being the first restaurant to opt-in to county-wide program that encourages restaurants to offer healthy eating options. 

A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. in conjunction with St. Francis Medical Center, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and the city of Paramount. The restaurant is located at 16600 Paramount Blvd.

Mariscos El Perihuete is now part of a growing group of restaurants in LA County partnering with Choose Health LA Restaurants to make it easier for communities and families to stay healthy when dining out.
 
Participating restaurants offer customers menu options in multiple sizes so they may enjoy smaller amounts of the foods. Restaurants serving kids’ meals have replaced sugary beverages with milk or water, added fruits or vegetables, and reduced the number of deep-fried foods on the menu.  

All participating restaurants also agreed to make water available free of charge to customers.

“Mariscos El Perihuete is well known by residents and has been recognized by numerous organizations for its support of the community – not to mention its glowing restaurant reviews,” stated Gilda Acosta, St. Francis Medical Center’s director of Community Health Initiatives. “This is another example of the restaurant’s community commitment, and we thank restaurant owner Paul Peñuelas for being a change leader for health.”
 
Acosta said she hopes Mariscos is the first of many Paramount eateries to make this commitment and encourages residents’ involvement.  

“Show your support for local businesses that care about the community," she said.