Giant-Landover Aims to Keep Kids Healthy

Giant Food of Landover, Md., is committed to helping consumers in its surrounding areas get healthier, including children.

“With increasing rates of childhood obesity in this country, Giant Food provides kids with fun and interactive ways to learn about proper nutrition and health,” noted Anthony Hucker, president of Giant Food LLC, an Ahold USA division operating 173 supermarkets in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and the District of Columbia, and employs about 22,000 associates. “There is no better place to start making healthy choices than at your neighborhood grocery store.”

The chain teams with Field Trip Factory on “Kid Healthy Ideas,” a hands-on field trip experience that reinforces the nutrition and healthy-living curriculum taught in area schools. The free program helps children in grades pre-K through six develop and improve skills in healthy living, nutrition and exercise. Tour leaders are trained to adapt field trips to be grade-appropriate. The tours last about 60 to 90 minutes and are limited to 30 participants per excursion.

On the Web, Giant’s “Passport to Nutrition” initiative gives kids, parents and teachers the information and motivation to make healthier choices through lifestyle changes and improved eating habits. The program features four lessons which cover the food pyramid/MyPlate program and physical activity; understanding food labels and portion control; how to incorporate sufficient fruits, vegetables and grains into one’s diet; and nutritious snacks and beverages. Offered along with each lesson are downloadable worksheets, kid-friendly songs and interactive games to emphasize the healthy-eating messages.

Additionally, through March 29, parents can help earn tripleA+ School Rewards for their kids’ schools by purchasing “Healthy Ideas”-labeled products. Giant’s exclusive Healthy Ideas blue-and-green product labeling system helps customers find nutritious options in the aisles. To receive the Healthy Ideas distinction, a product has to meet certain criteria regarding total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium, and sugar content, as developed by a team of registered dietitians.