ANNA, IL (KFVS) - Members of the Healthy Southern Illinois Delta Network met with the executives at Short Enterprises to talk about healthier food options in the children's menu at the Short family's nine McDonald's locations throughout Southern Illinois.

HSIDN wants the nine McDonald's to give apple dippers and white milk with every child meal instead of automatically giving fries and soda. The parents would then have to specifically request the higher calorie option.

"Making the healthy choice the easy choice is the first step in the right direction," says Toni Kay Wright, Registered Dietitian with SIUC Head Start. "McDonald's is a trend-setter and has the potential to start something extremely beneficial to children and their health."

The nine locations are in Anna, Carbondale, Murdale, Murphysboro, Du Quoin and Vienna.