Supermarkets: A Resource for Education

Judy Dodd, Giant Eagle Food

Are you currently involved in a nutrition education program? Are you interested in involving your program participants in nutrition education and applying this education to everyday life? Have you considered using your local supermarket as a resource for your educational programs? Supermarkets include a wide range of nutritional information giving participants in nutrition education programsthe opportunity to learn many important lessons.

Before setting up an information table or organizing a tour, note that there are dates, times of day, and group size issues that will need to be negotiated with the store. In order to smoothly plan your program, you must first contact the store’s dietitian or consumer service representative. These professionals know the business and can help meet your needs. Many times, the representative will oversee the programming, making your job a little easier. Contact the store manager or owner as an alternative if your first choice is unavailable. They will refer you to the person responsible for organizing group visitsor working with the community.

The following are ideal ways to use supermarkets for education and awareness.

  • Store tours led by experienced food and nutrition professionals or trained store staff are effective ways to introduce and practice such concepts as label reading, choosing and identifying produce, locating special needs items (such as lower sodium or gluten free foods) and using shelf-talkers. Small groups (fifteen people or less) work best to avoid crowding the aisles.
  • Key staff members, including produce specialists, are willing to talk about variety, choice, selection criteria, origin and use of different foods. Nutrition information is often available in the display area, but don’t expect the sales staff to be experts on this. You will need 5-A-Day literature or the services of the store food and nutrition expert.
  • Food storage and safety options are visually available throughout the supermarket. This creates an ideal setting to discuss the use of thermometers, appropriate temperatures for perishables, handling of meat and fish and bringing your food home safely. Follow up with information on safe storage, washing produce and general food safety.
  • Table displays are also possibilities although some stores limit these to major events (i.e. Heart Month or Earth Day) or participation in store-sponsored events (i.e. health screenings). You may have to provide the table, the table cover, and the personnel. Once you have a store contact, you may be asked to participate in store promotions. This presents an excellent way to reach your clients.

When looking for tangible support for incentives, stores may be willing to provide gift cards, promotional items (pencils, pillboxes), or food donations (apples, water). Contact your local supermarket dietitian for more information.