Image: Michelle Haacke/Albert Lea Tribune
A grocer out of Iowa, Hy-Vee, recently made a pretty big change in the check-out lane at one of their stores: they took the junk out.
We’ve all waited in that area with our children, begging for this candy bar or that treat. I find myself reminding my children that those aren’t healthy choices for us, and repeating why we’re not going to buy any. It certainly doesn’t help us make the best choices when we just need some peace while we pay for our groceries. And the markets know that – that’s why the junk food is there (impulse buys!).
According to the local paper:
While most checkout lanes are stocked full of candy bars, gum and sweet treats attractive to children and adults, the Blue Zones lane features a variety of healthy snacks, including granola bars, carrots, dried fruits, string cheese and flavored water.
Our local Fred Meyer has a family lane for checking out and I’d like to see less junk food, along with some healthy snacks there. I might even be tempted to buy them, even though we typically don’t buy single-serving snacks. It also gives me an opportunity to talk about healthy foods with my child while we wait in line.
What do you think? Love it? Don’t care?
Image: Michelle Haacke/Albert Lea Tribune
9 Comments
Love it! I don’t ever buy my children candy, particularly not from the check out lane. However, every time they see the candy, the question comes up. I can deal with that. It’s the 2 year old trying to grab the candy that is within his reach because the lane is so narrow that drives me nuts! Checking out is already stressful if I have several children with me, and then add in a narrow check out lane, and I’ve grown quite a few gray hairs by the end of the process!!
I love it! We have Hy-Vee in Missouri–I wonder if it’s just this one store, or if they’re all doing it. I’m actually going there today, so I might have to look into it. I don’t have kids yet (one on the way), but *I’m* the one who gets tempted by all those candy bars and sodas! I would totally choose this line if it was available at my store.
April – Let us know if you see it at your Hy-Vee and, if so, what you think! I get pretty tempted too. It’s why they’re there.
Barb – Isn’t that fun to wrestle with the toddler while you’re trying to check out? I remember those days well. Not fondly. But, they put the junk food there for a reason: it sells! I hope that the healthy snacks can sell just as well, if not better, so that more will make the change.
Love it! I bribe my daughter weekly to help me food shop. She can have one treat. I’m always surprised at her choices—not always junk! But it’s almost always at the checkout line.
What a great idea—wish my Price Chopper would do this.
In fact, I just sent the link to my local store, suggesting they look into it. Can’t hurt huh?
Good for you, Hillary! I always believe it’s a good idea to ask for improvements like that at places we do business. Keep me posted! Fingers crossed for you & the other parents who shop there.
This is the coolest thing I’ve seen all week. LOVE IT! I hope this catches on everywhere.
like this very much
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