Grocers Assist Consumers to Stick With Their Healthy New Year's Resolutions

Kearney, MO, January 10, 2007 --(PR.com)-- With an unprecedented incidence of heart disease, food allergies, diabetes, and overweight/obesity, many Americans want to improve their diet, but aren’t sure how to do it. And interest in organic foods is also at an all-time high. Grocers are responding by positioning themselves as a resource for healthy and convenient foods – as well as an education source for selecting and preparing the food.

A new White Paper entitled "Leveraging Nutrition Trends to Win at the Shelf” summarizes these issues, as well as recommendations for retailers to respond. Food Industry Consultant and Registered Dietitian Michele M. Downey advises her grocer clients to “view themselves as more than just a place to sell groceries.” Grocers are positioning themselves as “partners” with their customers in their quest for selecting and preparing food. Top retailers are offering in-store classes/demos, on-site dietitians, specialized merchandising and advertising, and healthy prepared foods.

More than half of all Americans say they are making dietary changes, but many cite confusion about nutrition information which seems contradictory. They also have difficulty translating information they read/hear into appropriate choices in the grocery aisles. As food retailers move to fill this void, consumers receive more education/assistance and grocers are rewarded with increased customer loyalty.

###