Originally Published June 10, 2004 -- Your Wellness
Guide
Shop Smart: The
Healthy Grocer Trend
Special Consumer Wellness Series 1 of 2
As seen on NBC's AZ Midday
on July 22, 2005.
——————————————————————
To
read Part 2 of this Special Consumer Wellness
Series,
click here.
|
Evolutionary, positive changes are taking place to make your
food-shopping experience markedly different and healthier.
The
advent of the mainstream wellness-conscious consumer, global food
imports, a focus on fresh, more nutritional and food information at
our fingertips (or remote control!), and fresh-prepared to meet
lifestyle needs -- all equals a healthy grocer trend. |
Jyl
Steinback, author of
Supermarket Gourmet, says
“Supermarkets around the country are remodeling and refurbishing to meet
the growing needs of Americans. Supermarkets are in the perfect position
to provide consumers with the products they need to live the healthier
lifestyles they desire.”
Specialty
grocery chains of Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, and Wild Oats initially
catered to the organic produce, supplement, high-end product, and
special-diet consumer. Since then, many of these specialty stores have
not only diversified their offerings into fresh and natural foods but also
grown into volume-capable chains, influencing the overall grocery
industry.
|
At the
same time, mainstream consumers have become more knowledgeable about
what food they buy and a number of smaller healthy grocer-type
chains have cropped up that straddle the road between a Whole Foods
and a traditional supermarket, such as Gourmet Garage in Manhattan
and Sprouts in the Phoenix area (started by the former founders of
Wild Oats).
Called
a “working class outlet for fine foods” by the New York Times,
Manhattan’s Gourmet Garage was originally a wholesale distribution
company servicing fine restaurants in the New York City area. In
1992, Gourmet Garage opened its doors to the general public,
focusing on superior-quality products, fresh foods, and reasonable
prices. |
Photo Courtesy: Gourmet Garage
Manhattan-based Gourmet Garage’s produce is reflective
of many grocers who now have a greater focus on quality
and variety for fresh fruits and vegetables. |
Supermarkets
everywhere are changing as “part of a national trend toward eating
healthier,” says Gourmet Garage CEO Andy Arons. “Fresh, prepared foods is
the hottest growing category in the marketplace.”
The Food
Marketing Institute’s Senior Vice President Michael Sansolo says “There is
a growing number of wellness-oriented types of stores. And, I see more of
the wellness aspects in the mainstream stores, like organics, more
produce, herbs, vitamins, and supplements.”
For example,
produce used to be seasonal and smaller. Now, you see grapes 12 months of
the year due to a greatly improved supply system and global commerce, as
well as more exotic varieties, like mangos, papayas, and kiwis.
Although the
general public’s wellness interest and awareness has skyrocketed, when it
comes to actual supermarket shopping, price and convenience still reign.
For many, if you have to choose between an organic versus regular apple,
higher organic prices might keep you away even if you clearly see a health
or environmental benefit.
However,
with so many stores -- specialty, conventional, and everything in between
-- getting into the “natural,” organic, pesticide/antibiotic-free, and
environmentally friendly marketplace, the competition eventually deals out
lower-price benefits.
“Because we
now have the scale and scope, we are able to have very competitive
prices,” says Kate Lowery of Whole Foods, which recently opened a 59,000
square foot store in the heart of Manhattan, and has more than 155 stores
with 35 more markets in development.
Because the
supermarket industry is so competitive, consumers need to know they have
an important voice in what they want. Go to the store or department
manager (such as the produce department manager) to make your healthy
requests, such as --
No more
traditional deli:
If your market still has a greasy, traditional, stale-food deli, request
that it go the way of the dinosaur and ask for fresh, prepared food.
No more
wilted produce:
If you see poor quality, low variety produce, tell your store you want a
change or go elsewhere.
No more
mystery food sources:
If your market isn’t telling you where it gets its meats and produce, as
well as disclosing information like pesticides and antibiotics, then
request more information be available. You can also request the store
promote environmentally friendly fish options. You should know what you
are buying...and eating.
No more
inconvenience:
So many families are on the run and can use all the help they can get in
preparing healthy meals. Give your supermarket ideas of how it can help
you, such as pre-prepared cases of ingredients for preparing the night’s
meal, 30-minute healthy recipes with the foods easy to find in the store,
fresh-prepared foods and meals at the former deli, and pre-cut
veggies, cheeses, and meats.
To
read
Part 2 of this Special Consumer Wellness
Series,
click here.
Terra
Wellington
is a
national authority on creating a wellness lifestyle.
www.terrawellington.com
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Wellington