The case studies below outline how the food industry supports affordable, healthy-eating solutions.
Making Healthy Eating Easy & Affordable
A U.S. northeastern regional supermarket chain has been running three “Free Fee” promotions in which the online pickup/delivery fee is waived with a minimum purchase of $20 on nutritious items. The grocery also features better-for-you meal deals and healthy food sales in the circular, advertised as “Our Dietitians' Picks” or “Guiding Stars Rated.” Educational initiatives from this grocer include the From Deal to Dish webinar series featuring dietitians preparing nutritious recipes using ingredients featured in the weekly circular. Shoppers can also gain loyalty points from attending nutrition partners' webinars.
Helping Customers Find Affordable Meal Inspiration
A U.S. Mid-Atlantic regional supermarket chain has been hosting virtual well-being Coffee Chats with dietitians, offering information, insight, and inspiration on a selected well-being-related topic. These chats feature affordable, better‑for‑you meal and snack ideas, and participants receive a follow‑up email featuring recipes. To date, the chain has hosted 23 Coffee Chats, welcoming over 400 participants per class, for a total of more than 10,000 attendees.
Weekly Affordable Meal Solutions and Instruction
Every week, a U.S. Mid-Atlantic regional supermarket chain hosts a virtual well-being class that includes making a 30-min meal with products from the weekly circular flyer. During the class, the dietitian highlights where to find the weekly sales ad, walks participants through selecting the featured meal, and then demonstrates the recipe step-by-step. More than 10,000 customers have attended the classes, averaging over 500 participants per class.
Podcast Showcases Affordable Healthy Meals
A U.S. Mid-Atlantic supermarket regional chain hosts a weekly 10-minute podcast that connects shoppers to the best-value deals, weekly sales flyer items, special offers and tools to save money, including flexible rewards in their loyalty programs. The podcast goal is to help customers save time and money with health-focused ideas, and each one wraps with a recipe that feeds a family of four.
Access to Customized Health and Nutrition Guidance
A large U.S. national supermarket chain offers free 30-minute appointments with a registered dietitian for a personalized grocery store tour, during which the dietitian helps the customer find nutritious products that fit their preferences, needs, and budget. An online portal offers shoppers nutrition insights by helping customers navigate more nutritious versions of their household favorites. Coupons that make these products more affordable appear in the experience.
Calling Out Healthy, Affordable Meals
A U.S. Northeast regional supermarket chain is highlighting healthy, affordable meals that can feed a family for as little as two dollars per serving. Online recipes now feature specific branding that can help shoppers easily identify healthy, affordable meals and in-store, the same branding extends to support convenient meal ideation and ingredient identification. This method takes the guesswork out of delivering delicious, affordable meals for households.
Dietitian Approved Products
A U.S. Southwest supermarket chain is offering product lines developed with a dietitian's input. A protein bowl product line provides ready-to-cook options with beneficial nutrients at an affordable price. This chain’s private brand portfolio included a line of products selected by in-house dietitians and priced competitively with national brands.
Affordable Primary Care
A U.S. Southwest supermarket chain offers affordable primary care to the public, making healthcare support accessible. This includes dietitians who are part of the primary care membership plan and accept a wide range of insurance plans. Dietitians support their patients in finding foods that fit their budgetary and wellness needs.
Affordable Healthy Meals Magazine & App Features to Support Deal-Searching
A U.S. Northeast and Mid-Atlantic supermarket chain publishes a regular magazine and budget-focused brochures showcasing affordable meal ideas, recipes, money-saving shopping tips, and more. A U.S. national supermarket chain includes deal-finding features in its app that let customers see current coupons and “clip” them so they automatically redeem at checkout.
Food Industry Contributions to Health and Well-being
In 2012, FMI began conducting surveys to track the evolution of how food retailers are meeting the needs of shoppers seeking healthier lifestyles. In 2024, the survey expanded to include not just food retailers, but also product suppliers, to demonstrate how the food industry is working to protect and improve public health. The 2026 report is now available.
