Spartan Stores, Old Orchard Brands Team Up To Fight Diabetes, Obesity

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - To commemorate the kickoff of November National Diabetes Awareness Month, Spartan Stores here and Old Orchard Brands unveiled an in-store program to highlight the need for effective prevention, detection and treatment of diabetes.

The month- long effort, which kicked off Nov. 1, features a free diabetes risk assessment performed by a registered nurse practitioner, as well as educational brochures offering tips for healthier living. All of Spartan's Family Fare Supermarkets, Glen's Markets, and Pharm drug stores will feature Old Orchard's Healthy Balance fruit juice -- the healthy alternative to high-sugar fruit juices.

"Spartan Stores is dedicated to improving the health of our community, and to providing educational services on nutrition that advocate an active and healthy lifestyle," said Jeanne Norcross, Spartan's v.p. of corporate affairs. "Spartan Stores welcomes the Old Orchard Healthy Balance brand into our pharmacies with a fully integrated, community-based program that will help bring greater awareness to this disease."

One of the leading triggers of Type 2 diabetes is obesity. Similarly, one of the challenges facing individuals with Type 1 diabetes is the need to carefully balance food intake to regulate blood sugar levels.

"As a strategic partner with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), Old Orchard understands the scope of this disease and the positive impact education and healthy lifestyles can play in prevention and treatment," said Mark Saur, founder and c.e.o. of Old Orchard Brands. "We are proud to partner with Spartan Stores during National Diabetes Awareness Month to help educate consumers about healthy food choices."

As a corporate sponsor of the JDRF, Old Orchard Brands will contribute more than $650,000 during the next four years to help find a cure for Type 1 diabetes. In addition, Old Orchard will donate a portion of Healthy Balance brand juice sales towards funding a cure.

With warehouse facilities in Grand Rapids and Plymouth, Mich., Spartan distributes more than 40,000 private-label and national brand products to more than 350 independent grocery stores in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. Spartan Stores also owns and operates 68 retail supermarkets and 19 deep-discount food and drug stores in Michigan and Ohio, including D&W Fresh Markets, Family Fare Supermarkets, Glen's Markets, and The Pharm.
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