Spartan Stores Sets Stage for ‘Pure Michigan FIT’

Spartan Stores’ Family Fare Metro Health Village was the scene June 13 for Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder to introduce Pure Michigan FIT, a nutrition and fitness initiative focusing on children through age 5 that will provide tools and resources for Michigan families to incorporate healthy eating habits and physical activity into their lifestyles.

Spartan Stores President and CEO Dennis Eidson joined Snyder and Pure Michigan FIT partners in the Grand Rapids suburb of Wyoming, Mich., to announce the launch while local children participated in activities related to nutrition and fitness, including a Nutrition Key scavenger hunt, smoothie and Spartan Super Pasta sampling, and a milk moustache photo booth.

“We are excited to partner with the state of Michigan on the launch of Pure Michigan FIT,” Eidson said. “Our commitment to health and wellness is a priority for our consumers and employees throughout Michigan. Whether it’s through our Nutrition Keys, facts up front on our Spartan private brand products, free prescriptions in our pharmacies, to encouraging our employees to participate in a fun walk/run.”

The pilot program will be implemented over three years, starting this month. The first part of the three-year plan kicked off June 13 with the Michigan Grocers Association promoting healthy habits through signage and nutrition information at grocery stores. The second phase is a collaboration with the Michigan Department of Human Services to identify best practices that help increase healthy food availability and nutrition education for Michigan’s low-income families. The third phase, through the leadership of the American Academy of Pediatrics – Michigan, will be working with the state’s medical schools and health associations to provide nutrition education and training classes for doctors, nurses and other caregivers.

“Our industry is committed to providing healthy, nutritious food to Michigan consumers and working closely with the other partners to improve the health of our citizens,” said Linda Gobler, Michigan Grocers Association president and CEO.

Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Spartan Stores Inc. distributes more than 40,000 private and national brand products to 375 independent grocery locations in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio, and to 97 corporate-owned stores located in Michigan, including Family Fare Supermarkets, Glen’s Markets, D&W Fresh Markets, VG’s Food and Pharmacy, and Valu Land.

IN THE PHOTO: Spartan Stores President/CEO Dennis Eidson presents a Pure Michigan FIT T-shirt to Gov. Rick Snyder.