ACS

19 March 2010

Following a successful pilot in the North East where sales of fruit and veg grew by almost 50 percent, corner shops across the country are now joining Change4Life and working with the local NHS to promote healthier eating in their communities.
The stores have had a fruit and veg makeover, stocking a wide range of fruit and veg, displaying Change4Life posters and signs, and appointing a member of staff to champion fresh fruit and veg in store.

ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said:'Change4Life has been at the heart of the convenience store sector's efforts to grow sales of produce, particularly in deprived areas. Working with the Department of Health and using the Change4Life branding, members have grown produce sales by nearly 50 percent, bringing significant and lasting change to those stores and for the communities they serve.'

Gillian Merron, Public Health Minister said: “It’s not always easy to get your five a day – but we’re going to help the local shop stock and keep fresh fruit and veg, which will make it easier for shoppers to choose healthy options. This is good news for everyone – it will boost the health of local people and the local shops.”

The trial run of the programme began with 12 shops in the North East last November and has been an overwhelming success. Over 12 months, an additional 100 shops joined the programme and sales of fresh fruit and veg increased on average by 47 percent, with around a third of shoppers saying they will buy more fruit and veg from their local store in future.

The expansion of the programme across England is possible thanks to the Change4Life partnership with ACS. The first phase of this roll out is launching today with 60 stores in the South West, and East and West Midlands starting with an improved range of fruit and vegetables using the Change4Life branding. 28 stores have received support from the
Department of Health to increase the amount of prominent chilled space allocated to fruit and vegetables. A further 32 stores have received support from the local regional health authority to allow them to display the branding and increase the range available.

Each store will receive point-of-sale and in-store branding as well as an ambient stand for display at the front of store.

ACS is currently working with the Department of Health to provide further Change4Life material to retailers across the country.

To visit the Department of Health website, click here.