Solutions Spotlight: National Nutrition Month at Whole Foods Market South Street Philadelphia

April 16, 2014

In honor of this year’s theme for National Nutrition Month, "Enjoy the Taste of Eating Right" Whole Foods Market Healthy Eating Specialist and Registered Dietitian, Lindsey Kane, MS, RD proved to shoppers that “healthy” and “tasty” are not mutually exclusive.

“While it is very important for the food we eat to be nourishing, it is equally important for our meals to be palatable and enjoyable!  The truth is, the food we eat the most, is the food we enjoy the most,” said Kane.

To showcase the appeal of nutrition and taste, Kane hosted several classes, events, and promotions in her Philadelphia Whole Foods Market location and utilized social media to extend the reach.  Here are some highlights: 

• Supper Club on South Street: This monthly in-store event is a perfect platform to expose Whole Foods Market shoppers to great-tasting nutrition, serving four gourmet dishes featuring whole food, plant-based ingredients.  The innovative menu featured dishes such as Spicy Kimchi Dashi & Tofu Ramen Bowls, Brussels Sprouts with Crispy Rice and Peanut Scallion Relish, Korean Bibimbap and Tempeh Bulgogi, Asian Pear Wontons with Ginger Cashew Cream and Date-Walnut Crumble.

• Taste and Learns: An interactive series occurring every Tuesday, “Taste and Learn” events feature cooking demonstrations, wellness workshops and product speed tastings built around specific topics.  During National Nutrition Month, shoppers were encouraged to try “Unique Eats” such as Black Garlic, Maitake Mushroom, and Chinese Long Bean Ramen with Sea Bean and Watermelon Radish. “Meatless Mania” featured veggi-fied recipes that Kane adapted from Food & Wine magazine. “Nutrition Madness” was a creative take on “March Madness” where healthy products were pitted against each other in a taste challenge with customers creating their own “Nutrition Madness Bracket” to predict the champion.

• Shark Tank Smoothie Shake Down: Kane’s store challenged the Healthy Eating Action Team from a New Foundations Charter School to create a smoothie recipe and pitch a School Smoothie Program and business plan to a panel of judges.   

• Social Media Engagement: Kane relies on a healthy dose of social media to generate buzz, including Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and Tumblr.

Kane measured the success of her programs based on a number of metrics including class and tour attendance (identifying new and repeat attendees), Supper Club sales, media and blogger coverage, number of recipe cards distributed, and social media engagement (likes, comments, favorites, re-tweets, increases in followers, etc.).  And of course, tracking customer comments such as the one below is helpful to underscore the personal nature of Kane’s efforts.

“Thank you for your kindness. I hope, one day, to repay you. Absent this, someone like you or be worthy to teach in a way that makes people sit up, pay attention, & realize that health is more valuable than time. Be well. And, again, thank you.”