McDonald’s isn’t evil, but it sure tastes good

On Aug. 19, the Las Vegas Review-Journal published my column "Too tall for chocolate milk, the right height for wisdom." You can read it here: http://tinyurl.com/8hwzjx7. A reader protests:

I am curious why you would equate a lapse in parenting judgment by taking your son to McDonald's for breakfast. As a proud Las Vegas McDonald's owner/operator, I find it very frustrating to read such comments as yours. It hurts me personally as a small- business owner when myths and untruths about McDonald's continue to be aired in the media. Comments made such as yours continue to demonize the McDonald's brand as all things evil to feed your children.

McDonald's has been a leader in the quick-service restaurant industry (QSR) to ensure food safety, food quality and sustainability. McDonald's became the first QSR company to provide nutrition information to customers. And, coming soon to your local McDonald's, all of our menu boards will have the calorie count next to the menu item, allowing consumers to make intelligent choices that fit their dietary needs.

McDonalds serves nothing different than you purchase for yourself at the grocery store; our shopping cart is just a lot larger! We use Tyson brand chicken and 100 percent grade A ground beef.

We serve more fruit and vegetables than any other restaurant chain. We are the largest purchaser of fresh apples within the U.S restaurant industry, as well as berries for our fresh fruit smoothies. We are the industry leaders in ensuring humane treatment of the animals used for our beef, pork and chicken products. Since 2008, 91 percent of our white fish was sourced from fisheries practicing sustainability. In the U.S. alone, the McDonald's system purchased more than $345 million in recycled materials, making McDonald's one of the world's largest purchasers of recycled paper.

As far as community outreach goes, every owner/operator contributes to their trading area by sponsoring McTeacher's Nights, scholarships for graduating seniors, grants for elementary schoolteachers, local sporting events, support of the Ronald McDonald House Charities, etc. Since 2002, fundraising efforts like McHappy Day, Give a Hand, and local newspaper sales have raised $170 million globally for the Ronald McDonald House Charities. The Ronald McDonald Care Mobile program offers essential medical, dental and educational services to more than 150,000 children annually.

These are just a few examples of why I am proud to be a McDonald's owner/operator. We don't just serve good food, we contribute to our communities, we ensure that our customers are receiving the highest quality food with great menu options for those who want something indulgent or something healthy, and great customer service. These are just a few reasons why you should feel good about supporting your local McDonald's, as well.

If you would like to personally visit a McDonald's restaurant and see how it operates, I invite you to mine. And please, reassure your son that we will sell him a Happy Meal with chocolate milk even when he is 6'4"! - Kellie Vander Veurr

Thank you for your impassioned letter, Kellie, though you may feel a bit like the Gilda Radner character Emily Litella from "Saturday Night Live" ("Oh ... never mind") when I tell you all I was saying about being a father was all I was saying: I was, that morning, guilty of laziness and poor planning. I didn't have time to make Joseph breakfast. If you got "Feeding McDonald's food to your children is evil" out of that ... I apologize.

Nobody is more community-minded then the McDonald's corporation. In the '80s, my family benefited personally from the genius and love of Ronald McDonald House. Puts a lump in my throat every time I remember it.

I admire McDonald's commitment to recycling and recycled paper, sustainability in fish, chicken and beef production. And, as criticism regarding nutrition has rained down on McDonald's in the past, I have noticed the socially responsible efforts McDonald's has made primarily in two areas: accountability (publishing nutrition and calorie information) and vastly increasing the "healthy" side of the menu vis-a-vis the "indulgent" side (to use your words).

I confess I'm a huge fan of indulgence. I've never ordered a salad or fruit smoothie at McDonald's. Ever. (Are french fries a vegetable?) My boys and I go to McDonald's only to indulge - either our tastebuds, our poor planning or both. But then, that's what "fast food" ... er, QSR food is for, yes? It's quick. It tastes good. It makes my boys smile. So, once in a while, I take them there.

Should I expect more sugar, sodium and fat at a fast-food restaurant than, say, at a vegan cafe in Berkeley? Seems likely. But I would no more vilify fast-food restaurants, per se, than I would vilify the makers of my favorite beer, wine or bourbon. Indulgences are my responsibility, as are any decisions I make to over indulge. Or when and where I allow my 10-year-old to indulge.

I love your passion, Kellie! McDonald's is a great American success story. And Joseph and I are coming to your McDonald's at 2886 S. Nellis Blvd. soon just because of your endearing letter and welcome!

Steven Kalas is a behavioral health consultant and counselor at Las Vegas Psychiatry and the author of "Human Matters: Wise and Witty Counsel on Relationships, Parenting, Grief and Doing the Right Thing" (Stephens Press). His columns also appear on Sundays in the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Contact him at 227-4165 or skalas@reviewjournal.com.