Supermarket Dietitian Program Highlights California Table Grapes; Karen Hearn Comments
FRESNO, CA - We’re in the second month of the year, and I can speak for many shoppers that healthy resolutions are still in our sights to conquer. However, like many of your customers, I am on the outlook on how to incorporate more fresh fruit in my day-to-day to keep that motivation running strong. Retail dietitians are one step ahead of me, it seems, as they worked on a slew of tempting and inspiring ideas utilizing one of the Golden State’s top fresh produce items: table grapes.
“The outreach the dietitians conducted was broad and deep,” said Karen Hearn, Vice President of Domestic Marketing for the California Table Grape Commission. “It was also beautifully done, full of enticing ideas and mouthwatering photos.”
For the last three months of 2021, retail dietitians shared tempting ideas for incorporating California grapes into meals with their clients. According to the release, nine registered dietitians and licensed food nutritionists from a large grocery chain highlighted California grapes from October through December in 168 stores in Maryland; Washington, DC; Virginia; and Delaware.
Hearn continued in the release, stating that “The work was tied to retail promotions, and we know it helped motivate consumers to purchase. The program will serve as a model for future work.” She also noted that the timing of the promotion was important because over 45 percent of the California grape crop shipped October through December.
In order to spread the awareness, dietitians held in-person and online classes designed to inspire their customer clientele with creative ways to use California grapes, including building a better charcuterie board. Among other things, the team of dietitians used blog posts and podcasts, social media, and an “Ask the Expert” column in Savory magazine to tempt consumers with grape usage and recipe ideas.
Many consumers rely on social media, whether for communication, inspiration, or as a time killer. With these strategies in place, potential shoppers will see new ways to excite the palate and the platter.
While the programs were held within these four states, the ideas and recipes are universal and encourage me to reach for a bag of table grapes the next chance I get, and I’m sure your shoppers feel the same way.
