Hannaford Bros. Rolls Out Program to Help Dairy- and Gluten-Intolerant Shoppers
SCARBOROUGH, Maine -- Hannaford Bros. Co., based here, said yesterday that it has launched a new program to aid customers in the easy identification of gluten- and dairy-free items in its stores.
The program includes an expansion in the selection of foods at the New England retailer, special signage identifying the location of such products, in-store brochures listing the products, and the posting of the product list on the company's Web site, www.Hannaford.com.
"We know that dairy and gluten intolerance and allergies make healthy eating a challenge for many people," noted Hannaford spokeswoman Caren Epstein. "This program is designed to help our customers identify those products that can meet their nutritional needs."
According to Epstein, to create the program, Hannaford contacted support groups for people living with gluten and dairy dietary restrictions, as well as talking with nutritionists, other medical professionals, and shoppers who buy gluten- and dairy-free items.
As product offerings change, the information on Hannaford's Web site will be updated. The biggest selections of dairy- and gluten-free products at Hannaford are available at those stores with Nature's Place departments, which carry natural and organic foods and other items. Epstein said, however, that all but the grocer's smallest stores stock a variety of dairy- and gluten-free products.
The company is currently looking at implementing more programs to help shoppers choose foods to fit their lifestyles, with details of such programs to be revealed shortly.
Hannaford operates 145 supermarkets and food and drug combination stores in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, and Massachusetts, employing 24,000 associates.
The program includes an expansion in the selection of foods at the New England retailer, special signage identifying the location of such products, in-store brochures listing the products, and the posting of the product list on the company's Web site, www.Hannaford.com.
"We know that dairy and gluten intolerance and allergies make healthy eating a challenge for many people," noted Hannaford spokeswoman Caren Epstein. "This program is designed to help our customers identify those products that can meet their nutritional needs."
According to Epstein, to create the program, Hannaford contacted support groups for people living with gluten and dairy dietary restrictions, as well as talking with nutritionists, other medical professionals, and shoppers who buy gluten- and dairy-free items.
As product offerings change, the information on Hannaford's Web site will be updated. The biggest selections of dairy- and gluten-free products at Hannaford are available at those stores with Nature's Place departments, which carry natural and organic foods and other items. Epstein said, however, that all but the grocer's smallest stores stock a variety of dairy- and gluten-free products.
The company is currently looking at implementing more programs to help shoppers choose foods to fit their lifestyles, with details of such programs to be revealed shortly.
Hannaford operates 145 supermarkets and food and drug combination stores in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, and Massachusetts, employing 24,000 associates.