Disclosure: I was invited to attend a luncheon sponsored by McDonald’s to help facilitate this post. Attendees received a swag bag and gift card for participation. All opinions are 100% my own.
Two weeks ago, I was invited to attend a lovely luncheon sponsored by McDonald’s at Bartrams Gardens in Philadelphia. At the luncheon I had the privilege of sitting down with local Philadelphia area bloggers and social media representatives, two local McDonald’s owners as well as McDonald’s® USA Chef Jessica Foust, RDN.
I will begin in full disclosure that as a busy Mom, I will be the first to admit that I rely on quick and easy meals to get my family by on our busiest days. McDonald’s is one of several fast food restaurants in the area where I can pick up something fairly healthy from the menu – such as a salad with grilled chicken, a grilled chicken sandwich, a grilled chicken snack wrap, fruit and maple oatmeal, and egg white delight or a yogurt parfait – at a great price that also won’t hinder my budget. Now I am not saying that we never splurge and order a Happy Meal or Cheeseburger and fries. (Oh those salty, always sinfully delicious fries!), but I will say for the most part, my family and I stick to the healthier options and have been rather pleased with the taste and value. As a Mom, I know that it is my job to make healthy choices for my children. Just because it is fast food doesn’t mean that choices always need to be sinful. I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to sit down and talk anything and everything about McDonald’s food, address the rumors and ask, ask, ask away. I was thrilled to find out first hand that many of the rumors are exactly that – rumors! McDonald’s has high standards when it comes to the quality of their food and they take customer feedback very seriously. So seriously in fact, that they have launched a new campaign, “Our Food. Your Questions.”
McDonald’s is ready – and eager – to answer all of YOUR questions and concerns. Skeptics and fans alike are encouraged to dish out your questions directly to the source – and ALL questions are fair game. This social media driven campaign’s aim is to provide facts on ingredients, how food is made and how it’s prepared in McDonald’s restaurants. Even curious skeptic Grant Imahara (formerly series host of Discovery Channel’s “MythBusters”) will uncover real answers to tough questions by visiting McDonald’s suppliers and restaurants across the country and letting you in on what he finds! McDonald’s will capture these visits in a series of video vignettes that will appear on the company’s website, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube channels (You must head over to check out the videos!). McDonald’s will take to these same channels to answer food questions, share multimedia content and engage in open conversation. You see and hear it all unfold for yourself. McDonald’s is encouraging people to join the conversation locally by following @McDPhilly, visiting McDonalds.com and/or finding your local McDonald’s on Facebook. The more people they engage, the more answers you will get!
As far as my experience at the luncheon, I cannot tell you how excited I was to learn about the many farm fresh products that are used in a multitude of McDonald’s menu items. All of the items were on display for those in attendance and we were welcome to create our own salads to enjoy for lunch using all of the ingredients set before us. I decided to create my own version of the Southwest Salad, which happens to be one of my favorite menu items. It was DELICIOUS – and I think I did a pretty great job if I say so myself. Chef Jessica, who is also a registered dietician was lovely and open to answering all of our questions. I found the conversation to be intriguing and informative. And I left the luncheon at the end feeling even more confident hearing that McDonald’s uses REAL EGGS. REAL INGREDIENTS. REAL FARM FRESH PRODUCE. REAL FOOD. I am really looking forward to following along with McDonald’s new campaign to hear even more about the food, preparation and how McDonald’s responds to all of the public’s questions and concerns!
On another note, if you have never been to Bartrams Gardens in Philadelphia, I will tell you that it is definitely one of Philadelphia’s best kept secrets! The gardens are lovely and it is a wonderful place to walk around and take in all of its historic value and beauty. Be sure to head over to the Bartrams Gardens website – Bartrams Gardens is a perfect spot to keep in mind for a nice day trip experience.
And now on to the giveaway…
McDonald’s has generously offered to giveaway a $25 gift card to one lucky Delco Deal Diva reader to try some of their delicious menu items of your choosing! What a great way to try out some of their salads and other healthy options! Simply enter via the easy Rafflecopter form below. Winner will be selected on November 12, 2014. Good Luck!!
Twitter: mommyentourage
says:
I like that they are answering questions head on!
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Twitter: mommyentourage
says:
My favorite are the yogurt parfaits!
I like the fries the best 🙂 The egg white breakfast sandwiches are good too
I think the new campaign is a good idea and it will be interesting to see how it plays out
I love their fries!
I like the campaign. I’ve always wondered about their burgers because they taste different to me. I’m relieved they use real ingredients.
I think the new campaign is good because it helps the consumer get answers to their questions, and to know what is in their food that they are eating is so important for nutrition.
I love the Premium Bacon Ranch Salad and I like that I can get the dressing on the side to put on as much as I like. And I like the Premium Grilled Classic Chicken Sandwich because it is not fried.
French fries are ,my fave.
I think it’s a great campaign. People are waking up to the fact that some companies use terrible ingredients and try to hide it. To stay in business, I think food service has to change.
I think it’s a wonderful idea! The salad looks yummy
I like the Filet O Fish
I thinks a great campaign to help consumers feel better at choosing to eat at their restaurant.
I think the campaign will be interesting. We will see what happens.
I love the McNuggets.
Twitter: groogruxking40
says:
I’m a big fan of the McChickens.. don’t forget to add pickles though.
i think its good. now i can get health food at McDonald’s
I love the McNuggets.
I think the campaign is a great idea and it sounds good. I know people have lots of questions about their food and ingredients so hopefully this will answer those questions.
The McDouble is my favorite menu item!
My favorite is the fries.
Twitter: babypop
says:
I love the wraps
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I like their new campaign
I like their strawberry milkshake
i have to say i love it!
i love their fries!
I think it is a great campaign, I can’t wait to hear more about their answers to questions.
I love the Mcchicken Nuggets with honey mustard sauce but I really loved the Hot mustard until they discontinued it.
I’ll admit I stopped eating there within the last few years because it was considered “food” instead of real food – so this is a great marketing campaign for them.
I like the black coffee best – yay Seattle’s Best!
I think it is a great campaign.
thanks for the chance to win
I love the cheeseburgers.
My favorite McDonalds item is the McRib!
Twitter: HwifeOnAMission
says:
I like the Bacon Habanero Ranch Quarter Pounder!
Love the southern chicken sandwich and the fries of course.
I’m willing to give it a try, I’m glad Mcdonalds is coming out with more options. I’m not a big refrigerated salad person so I’ll have to see if it tastes fresh enough my my taste. My favorite is the regular cheeseburger.
My favorite thing to get at Mcdonalds is the cheesburger happy meal.
Twitter: DailyVacationer
says:
Love that food service is changing to meet a healthier demand
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Twitter: DailyVacationer
says:
Love the snack wraps!
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Twitter: CharityFBCox
says:
I like that they are willing to come right out and answer questions. Honestly just finding out about that gives me a better opinion of them.
I think that it’s a great idea and that they are willing to answer questions.
French fries are definitely my favorite, I could eat them anytime.
I think the new campaign is good- with everyone curious or concerned about their food, being transparent is a good thing. I like McDonakds and how they coonduct themselvves.
I like their Sausage McMuffin
I think this is a great campaign and teaches people how to eat better
I think they had to do something with all the bad articles about their food so now we get to see all the family farms. I still love mcdonalds.
Twitter: bbarnes60
says:
I think the “Our Food. Your Questions.” Campaign is very interesting. I’m waiting to see how far they are willing to go with it and actually being truthful 🙂
Twitter: bbarnes60
says:
The Quarter Pounder with Cheese is my favorite item on the McDonald’s Menu 🙂
I do follow you on pinterest and have been pinning daily. tannawings is my pinterest ID- it wont let me leave the link.
I think that it’s a good way to address questions a lot of people have.
I say, GREAT, let’s see what idea’s they have in store for the public. I’m ready to try and hear about their thought’s they want to incorporate to the public!!
I love the double quarter pounder with extra onion, YYUM!!!
I think it’s an interesting campaign, I like it!
I think its a wonderful campaign.
i love their crispy chicken sandwich
I think the campaign is great. Good idea!
I love the french fries most!