Hannaford Hosting Six Wellness Fairs

SCARBOROUGH, Maine -- Hannaford Supermarkets here is hosting a total of six wellness fairs this month in Portland, Maine; Bangor, Maine; Manchester, N.H.; Taunton, Mass.; Albany, N.Y. and Burlington, Vt. The events are open to all members of the public, who can avail themselves of an assortment of free health diagnostic services and learn more about health-related issues. The retailer is also offering attendees the opportunity to get flu shots for $25 and pneumonia shots for $35.

During the fairs people can receive screenings for osteoporosis, blood pressure, body fat percent, total cholesterol, and glucose. Additionally, wellness professionals and diagnostic equipment vendors will be on hand to answer questions and provide product samples.

Said Hannaford spokeswoman Caren Epstein: "With full-service pharmacies in most of our stores, Hannaford helps our customers address their total health needs."

Each fair will feature over a dozen tables at which people can get health tips and information on wellness and fitness programs. Multiple Hannaford locations are hosting each event.

Delhaize-owned Hannaford Bros. Co. operates 158 stores under the Hannaford Supermarket and Hannaford Supermarket and Pharmacy banners, and employs over 26,000 associates.

In other Hannaford news, the retailer's Guiding Stars system, which it describes as "a simple, easy-to-use tool to help customers locate the most nutritious foods in the store quickly and easily," has come under fire from some CPG companies. The companies are unhappy that the system, which is more tougher than the FDA's nutritional guidelines, has awarded their better-for-you products either one star or no stars, according to an article in The New York Times.

Hannaford defended its rating system, saying that many of the products at issue contained too much sugar or sodium to be considered nutritious by Guiding Stars.

However, the grocer stressed that it wasn't trying to police consumers' eating habits, but was merely offering guidance to those shoppers who want it. "We are saying there are no bad foods," Epstein told the Times. "This is a good, better, and best system."
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