Several local restaurants are joining the St. Lawrence County Health Initiative in an effort to create healthier menus.

As part of its effort to promote healthy lifestyles and prevent obesity and type 2 diabetes in St. Lawrence County, the Health Initiative is asking community residents to complete restaurant dining habit survey.

The survey is offered both online and in select eateries throughout the county. According to Health Initiative officials the questionnaire asks if diners agree or disagree with several statements about their dining out habits and preferences.

For example, the Health Initiative wants to know where people eat the most, if they would be willing to pay more for a healthier option and if they finish all the food served to them at a meal.

Anne Marie Snell, the Creating Healthy Places to Live, Work and Play Coordinator stated, “According to the National Restaurant Association, 47 percent of the food-dollar is spent on eating out at restaurants; in order for us to be successful in our mission it is essential to meet people where they eat and help them make the healthy choice the easy choice.”

During the past year the Health Initiative has partnered with two Ogdensburg eateries, helping them to highlight their tasty, good-for-you choices with the healthier dining project logo on their menu, aiding them with marketing tools, and providing them with equipment to make healthful food available.

Both Busters Sports Bar and Phillips Diner have seen an increase in the number of people choosing salads, picking steamed vegetables over French fries and asking for condiments to be served on the side.

To participate in the survey or to learn more about the Smart Picks project, go to smartpicks.org. Surveys may also be picked up at Busters Sports Bar & Restaurant in Ogdensburg, Artworks Creperie in Waddington, Goose Landing in Winthrop, Foxy Roxy’s in Potsdam & Fish Bone Café, Hammond. Surveys will be collected by the Health Initiative through July 15, 2013.