Wegmans' pharmacies feature fruit

Empty frozen-fruit bags are the most recent healthy eating display in the pharmacy departments of Wegmans Food Markets.

Based in Rochester, N.Y., the chain of 77 supermarkets has educated consumers about healthy food choices for the last few years with its “Eat Well, Live Well” nutrition-education program in its stores. In recent weeks, that education has expanded to include a rotating “Eat Well, Live Well” table featuring healthy foods such as whole grains in its pharmacy departments.

The chain’s January “Eat Well, Live Well” displays feature empty bags of Wegmans’ private-label “Food You Feel Good About Just Picked” frozen fruits.

“For some time now, our nutritionists have been touting frozen foods as a sometimes-forgotten way to help your family avoid having too much month at the end of the money. So, working with Pharmacy and the Frozen Foods’ folks, they have developed a tabletop of ideas for getting inspiration in front of customers,” wrote Mary Ellen Burris, senior vice president for Wegmans, in her column at Wegmans’ website, www.wegmans.com.

Burris encouraged Wegmans shoppers to visit the chains’ pharmacies to see the displays. “If you are not a Pharmacy customer, or don’t have a need right now for a prescription, stop by anyway to get inspired,” Burris wrote.

Wegmans is displaying the Just Picked frozen fruits because they do not have added sugar and do not contain artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.

“In addition to being less costly than the fresh fruit this time of year, frozen fruits contain the same health benefits…vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants, while being low-calorie and sodium free,” Burris wrote.