Martin’s Food Markets has joined forces with the Richmond, Va., City Health District and nonprofit organization Greater Richmond Fit4Kids on Healthy Ideas checkout lanes at eight of the Southeast regional chain’s stores in Richmond. The project aims to promote healthy eating by increasing the availability of healthy foods at checkout.

Describing the company as “the pioneer grocery store in the Richmond area to offer healthy food and beverage items in select checkout lanes,” Valerie Waters, Martin’s in-store nutritionist, noted, “We think our moms and dads in particular will appreciate a checkout lane with items that are not full of added sugar and unhealthy fats, which tempt all of us on our way out of the store.”

Dr. Danny Avula, Richmond City Health District's deputy director, expressed a shared goal of the project’s participants “to bring about dramatic change to the norm by making it easier for our residents to make healthier choices,” adding. “Everything we can do to influence behaviors leading to a healthier lifestyle is a step toward healthier families and a healthier community.”

“Multisector partnerships are key in the fight against the rising rates of childhood obesity,” observed Mary Dunne Stewart, executive director of Fit4Kids. “Our partnership with Martin’s is the first step in what we hope to be a citywide effort to provide Richmond residents with more healthy choices.”

The Healthy Ideas checkouts offer both national-brand and Martin’s perishable and nonperishable better-for-you food items. While the exact product selection varies by aisle and store, available items include fruit, nuts, individual snack packs from Martin’s Nature’s Promise natural and organic section, nutrition bars, and 100 percent fruit juice.

Carlisle, Pa.-based Giant/Martin’s operates nearly 200 grocery stores in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia, under the Giant Food Stores and Martin’s Food Markets banners. The Ahold USA division employs more than 31,000 associates.
 

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