K A S H R U T . C O M_©

Small reminders may go a long way in encouraging healthier purchases

December 13, 2016: from The Newhope and Nutrition Education and Behavior

"For the study, published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, the researchers placed large green arrows, with instructions like “Follow green arrow for health” or “Follow green arrow for a healthy heart," in different grocery stores. The first two stores, owned by the same chain, were relatively close to each other and served a similar demographic of customer—with poverty levels between 33 and 44 percent. To confirm the initial results, two other stores were chosen in different neighborhoods, serving areas with lower poverty rates."
Customers shopping at stores with green arrows pointing to product "ended up spending a greater portion of their total purchase on produce, but their total spending did not change significantly. In other words, in stores that promoted the benefits of fruits and vegetables, customers spent the same amount at checkout but chose to use more of that bill to pay for produce."
"The takeaway? It may not be all about cost after all, and small health reminders—or for some customers, maybe it’s primary education more than reminders—may go a long way in encouraging people to buy healthier foods."