Price Chopper Celebrating Heart Health Month
SCHENECTADY, N.Y. -- To mark Heart Health Month in February and promote its Healthy U brand, Price Chopper Supermarkets here is trying to raise awareness of the importance of heart health in relation to living well, making healthy food choices, and enjoying an active lifestyle.
The chain is launching an initiative set to run the entire month that encompasses nutrition education, product sampling and promotion, free cholesterol screenings, heart-health tours, and cause marketing for the American Heart Association.
"Price Chopper can be counted on as a reliable source of heart-health information to go along with the vast mix of fresh and packaged heart-healthy products that we carry," said Price Chopper v.p. of public relations and consumer services Mona Golub. "Given that food choices play a key role in determining the extent to which heart disease remains our nation’s No. 1 killer, we are committed to sharing this valuable information with customers and associates alike."
To usher in the observance of Heart Health Month today, many of the chain’s employees will dress for National "Wear Red Day" to raise awareness of the healthy-heart programs. Employees will also sport buttons setting out the retailer’s mission: "A Healthy Heart for A Healthy U."
"The healthy heart-initiative begins inside Price Chopper and then extends outward to the 116 communities in which we operate," explained Golub. "Heart-healthy products will be sampled on a weekly basis in the stores and at Price Chopper’s Schenectady headquarters, while information and education will be provided to the company's more than 24,000 associates in six Northeastern states via written communications from senior management, posted heart-health tips in the company's break rooms, and over the in-store radio messaging systems."
Another feature of the monthlong observance is an exclusive tour of area Price Chopper markets from Feb. 4 to Feb. 7, by registered dietitian and nutritionist Dave Grotto, author of "101 Foods That Could Save Your Life."
Grotto will discuss his book and meet with shoppers during 101 Food Seminars. Price Chopper corporate chef Dave Hamlin, who contributed two recipes to Grotto's book, has created a heart-healthy meal of Roasters Chicken Tenders dinners and healthy side dishes, which will be carried in the prepared foods section of all Price Chopper stores throughout the month.
Additionally, the regional retailer will sign what Grotto calls "power foods" -- those that are rich in nutrients and packed with antioxidants and omega fats -- that are on promotion for shoppers to consider at the point of purchase, and Price Chopper's in-house Super Samples team will offer free samples of various heart-healthy foods all month.
Throughout February heart-healthy fresh fruit and yogurt parfait snacks will be sold for $1, with all proceeds going directly to the American Heart Association.
Price Chopper pharmacies will also be part of the initiative, with departments auctioning off a blood pressure monitor each week, as well as handing out a booklet, "Quit Smoking without Gaining Weight," and a bookmark listing ways to beat stress.
Every one of the chain's stores features a Healthy U kiosk, which allows shoppers to learn more about healthy-eating initiatives. During Heart Health month the kiosk will offer expanded heart-health information, along with various healthy recipes.
Further, many locations will provide cholesterol screenings and Heart Health stores tours run by Price Chopper's senior corporate nutritionist, registered dietitian Ellie Wilson, who serves as the personal resource for callers to the grocer's toll-free Healthy U Connection phone number.
The chain is launching an initiative set to run the entire month that encompasses nutrition education, product sampling and promotion, free cholesterol screenings, heart-health tours, and cause marketing for the American Heart Association.
"Price Chopper can be counted on as a reliable source of heart-health information to go along with the vast mix of fresh and packaged heart-healthy products that we carry," said Price Chopper v.p. of public relations and consumer services Mona Golub. "Given that food choices play a key role in determining the extent to which heart disease remains our nation’s No. 1 killer, we are committed to sharing this valuable information with customers and associates alike."
To usher in the observance of Heart Health Month today, many of the chain’s employees will dress for National "Wear Red Day" to raise awareness of the healthy-heart programs. Employees will also sport buttons setting out the retailer’s mission: "A Healthy Heart for A Healthy U."
"The healthy heart-initiative begins inside Price Chopper and then extends outward to the 116 communities in which we operate," explained Golub. "Heart-healthy products will be sampled on a weekly basis in the stores and at Price Chopper’s Schenectady headquarters, while information and education will be provided to the company's more than 24,000 associates in six Northeastern states via written communications from senior management, posted heart-health tips in the company's break rooms, and over the in-store radio messaging systems."
Another feature of the monthlong observance is an exclusive tour of area Price Chopper markets from Feb. 4 to Feb. 7, by registered dietitian and nutritionist Dave Grotto, author of "101 Foods That Could Save Your Life."
Grotto will discuss his book and meet with shoppers during 101 Food Seminars. Price Chopper corporate chef Dave Hamlin, who contributed two recipes to Grotto's book, has created a heart-healthy meal of Roasters Chicken Tenders dinners and healthy side dishes, which will be carried in the prepared foods section of all Price Chopper stores throughout the month.
Additionally, the regional retailer will sign what Grotto calls "power foods" -- those that are rich in nutrients and packed with antioxidants and omega fats -- that are on promotion for shoppers to consider at the point of purchase, and Price Chopper's in-house Super Samples team will offer free samples of various heart-healthy foods all month.
Throughout February heart-healthy fresh fruit and yogurt parfait snacks will be sold for $1, with all proceeds going directly to the American Heart Association.
Price Chopper pharmacies will also be part of the initiative, with departments auctioning off a blood pressure monitor each week, as well as handing out a booklet, "Quit Smoking without Gaining Weight," and a bookmark listing ways to beat stress.
Every one of the chain's stores features a Healthy U kiosk, which allows shoppers to learn more about healthy-eating initiatives. During Heart Health month the kiosk will offer expanded heart-health information, along with various healthy recipes.
Further, many locations will provide cholesterol screenings and Heart Health stores tours run by Price Chopper's senior corporate nutritionist, registered dietitian Ellie Wilson, who serves as the personal resource for callers to the grocer's toll-free Healthy U Connection phone number.