Williamson County and Cities Health District (WCCHD) is looking for volunteers to help us conduct an assessment of selected restaurants in cities within Williamson County. This important project will conduct the first-ever assessment of the nutrition environment at area restaurants and will provide valuable data for health promotion efforts in the near future. Specifically, the survey attempts to provide an objective assessment of food options and barriers/facilitators to choosing healthy options. After receiving training, volunteers will conduct the surveys at their assigned restaurants on their own schedule and return the completed surveys to WCCHD. Survey conduct includes noting the various advertisements inside the restaurants, noting various categories of food available on the menus, and reviewing nutritional information on “to go” menus if available. Volunteers will also receive a certificate of appreciation from WCCHD.
Time commitment: A three-hour training session, then between 7-20 hours of data collection on your own time, depending on the total number of volunteers. (Each survey takes about 30 minutes, and we’d like each volunteer to complete 10-20 surveys).
Training: Provided in Williamson County for all volunteers. Training dates are on 8/15 and 8/18, with morning (9 am – 12 pm) or afternoon (1-4 pm) sessions available.
Skills and resources needed: Private automobile, driver’s license, liability insurance, navigation device or map to find restaurant addresses, ability to read and write English, attention to detail, and no significant visual impairments that would prevent you from assessing menu items and advertising.
Contact Laura Salinas with questions and to sign up: 512) 248-3277
