August 13th, 2010

Researchers from the Albert Einstein Healthcare Network are collaborating with the Fresh Grocer located in The Shoppes at Lasalle to investigate and promote healthy eating in low-income areas. The three-month study is also in response to the growing number of obese adults, and specifically children, in America.

Patrons’ buying habits will be studied the first month with no variables, and their purchases of produce will be monitored. In the second month, they will be given coupons for fruits and vegatables, and presented a booklet on the health benefits of produce. In the third month, the families will no longer receive coupons, but their shopping habits will again be monitored.

A Fresh Grocer spokesperson said the store was excited to participate in the study as it has tried to promote healthy eating in the area since opening last year. The store filled a void in the “food desert” of the northwest section of Philadelphia where Olney and Germantown meet, as there had not been a grocery store in the area for four decades.

To read the complete article, click here.