226: Convenience Store Nutrition: Insights, Strategy & Innovation – LeeAnn Kindness

Convenience stores serve many communities and can often be a key source of food for families. Consumer insights show that shoppers are looking for foods that taste great and are also convenient and affordable. By leveraging nutrition experts in strategy, policy, innovations and communications, C-stores can make a positive impact on the food environment. Offering a variety of choices that include healthier options while keeping flavor as a priority is one key strategy that is generating results. Tune into this episode with LeeAnn Kindness MS, NDTR to learn about: Why C-stores can and should offer better-for-you options How C-stores are leveraging nutrition experts to combine science and insights to make progress in the food environment How consumer insights are driving product innovation and food policy How food policy and nutrition strategy play a role in C-stores product mix and menu development How food policy relates to product development, innovation, reformulation and discontinuations How C-stores can help make the healthier choices easier – choices that are convenient, tasty and affordable The role of the nutrition expert in communicating effectively both internally and externally The importance of nutrition messaging – communications, claims, label laws/regulatory, point of purchase Trends in the retail setting including rising food costs, food deserts and more Advice for nutrition professionals interested in retail career opportunities How "leaning into" taste is a key strategy and that slow reductions in ingredients such as sodium or sugar can net big results Wawa's "Good to Choose" initiative focused on balanced choices, clean choices, sustainable choices Full shownotes and resources at: https://soundbitesrd.com/226