Schnuck Markets makes health pitch to customers

With New Year’s resolution season now under way, Schnuck Markets is turning the spotlight on health and wellness.

St. Louis-based Schnucks said Tuesday that it has expanded its gym partnerships and “healthy kids” field trips and is inviting customers to partake in its new communitywide step challenge and “Eat Good to Feel Great” program.

“We know that lots of people start the New Year with a new resolve to make healthier choices, so Schnucks is working to help our customers jump-start healthy habits for 2020 and beyond,” Kara Behlke, director of health and wellness at Schnucks, said in a statement.

With the launch of the communitywide step challenge, customers across Schnucks’ five-state trade area who log 50,000 steps or more through Feb. 29 will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win 50,000 Schnucks Rewards points, the equivalent of $100. To participate, consumers text “STEPS” to 27126 on their smartphone and then click on the response link to download the Stridekick mobile app. The app includes health and wellness tips, the ability to earn kudos for activity milestones, and a live leaderboard where participants can check their progress against others.

“Our customers often tell us that health and wellness is important to them, and that alone means it’s important to Schnucks,” according to Behlke.

Related:Tobacco sales to end at Schnucks

For the “Eat Good to Feel Great” program, Schnucks partners with health-focused brands to set up in-store signage and displays that make it easier for shoppers to find better-for-you product choices.

The program also includes the January edition of Simply Schnucks magazine, which contains over 50 recipes for creating healthy meal plans; resources on Schnucks.com such as healthy recipes and tips, details about Schnucks-sponsored fitness classes; and store tours focused on healthy options. In addition, the supermarket chain is sponsoring the NHL All-Star 5K in downtown St. Louis on Jan. 25.

Schnucks noted that the health and wellness initiative builds on the company’s decision to end sales of tobacco products. Sales of cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, chewing tobacco, snuff and other tobacco products at Schnucks stores stopped on Jan. 1. The retailer doesn’t sell e-cigarettes or vaping products. In support of people trying to quit tobacco, Schnucks said it’s continuing to offer double Schnucks Rewards points on all smoking cessation products. The grocer also is promoting smoking cessation classes offered by the St. Louis mayor’s office.

“Schnucks is going all in on health and wellness because we believe that when we work together with our customers, we can create healthier generations,” Behlke added.

Related:Schnucks delivers more curbside pickup

Schnuck Markets operates 112 stores in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Iowa.