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According to the updated analysis, while access to healthy food in the United States has grown overall in the past decade, progress has been uneven, with improvements in food access followed by setbacks in some areas, and even substantial declines in certain communities. Among the top 10 states where healthy-food access has improved, the number of people living in LSA areas declined by more than 30 percent from 2010 to 2016, with North Dakota, Idaho and Iowa experiencing significant declines in underserved populations. By contrast, Maine and Nevada saw considerable increases in their LSA populations from 2010 to 2016. While most states’ LSA populations declined, many lagged behind the national decrease of 15 percent, including states that experienced substantial population growth, such as Florida and Arizona.
The analysis also pinpointed states and metro regions in which low-income residents and minorities disproportionately live in LSA areas. Rhode Island, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin were identified as the top three states where LSA areas are disproportionately located in low-income areas; minorities are also disproportionately concentrated in LSA areas in these states. In Rhode Island, for example, 91 percent of the LSA-area population is low-income, versus 44 percent nationally. The 2018 LSA analysis is the second update to the data, which was first issued in 2011. The latest update covers LSA data from 2010 through 2016. The data s available free via the PolicyMap platform.
Raley’s Rebalances Snack, Treat Offerings
snacks and candy should be viewed as a treat. The change is one of many Raley’s has implemented in recent years to help shoppers eat better. Others include:
WESTERN GROCER RE VAMPS OPTIONS AT CHECKOUT STANDS TO INCLUDE NON-GMO, NUTRIENT-DENSE, VEGAN ITEMS
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s part of its continual quest to help shoppers make better eating choices, the West Sacramento, Calif.-based food retailer has reduced its overall candy offerings at checkout by 25 percent, fully eliminating conventional candy and replacing it with an “enhanced selection of snack options that consider nutritional value, portion control and sugar content.” Citing data from the Food and Drug Administration, Raley’s notes that most Americans exceed the recommended limits for added sugar, which means that placing better-for-you products in high-traffic checkstand aisles enables customers to reduce their intake of added sugar. “We want to make it easier for our customers to make better choices for their personal health journey,” says Keith Knopf, Raley’s president. “We are already seeing customers respond favorably to our improved offering, which supports their ability to act on their own intentions and choose to eat well – whether they’re filling their carts or grabbing a quick bite.” The new selection balances nutritional offerings and indulgence, ranging from protein-powered items and lower-calorie sweets to snacks that are low in preservatives. Receiving exposure will be new products and lesser-known brands, many of which lead the industry in sporting cleaner ingredient decks. Many of the products meet Raley’s Shelf Guide standards, including items that are nutrient dense, non-GMO and vegan. Among the new options available are health-focused bars (Kind, Clif, Tahoe Trail); smaller-packaging candy (Chocolove, Bark Thins, Justin’s); chips; beef jerky; nuts (Blue Diamond); gum and mints; and alternative snacks such as seaweed, rice bars and olives. Along with the rest of the options, these offerings are intended to reinforce the notion that
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Introducing the aforementioned Raley’s Shelf Guide standards
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Eliminating sugar-sweetened soda and reducing overall candy offerings Removing tobacco from stores
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Cutting artificial flavors from carbonated soft drinks
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Offering free fruit for kids to snack on while adults shop These and other small decisions are what combine to create Raley’s transparency strategy, noted Raley’s CEO Michael Teel at the 2017 TransparencyIQ event hosted by Progressive Grocer parent EnsembleIQ. Teel observed that Raley’s is a purpose-driven company, and that making one decision leads to making subsequent decisions that all correspond and fall into place, ultimately helping to make a change in the marketplace. Raley’s operates 129 stores under five banners: Raley’s, Bel Air Markets, Nob Hill Foods, Food Source and Market 5-One-5.
Raley's has reimagined its front end to offer more better-foryou options.
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