Supervalu Launches Diabetes-Awareness Campaign
Supervalu has launched its 10th annual My Diabetes Coach campaign to raise awareness of the risks of diabetes and help those living with it better manage the disease.
Through June 17, shoppers may visit their local Cub, Farm Fresh, Shoppers or Shop 'n Save Pharmacy store for a diabetes risk assessment performed by a pharmacist, followed by a free glucose screening for those determined to be at risk for the disease. Appointments are not necessary.
The diabetes risk assessment consists of seven general health questions. Based on an individual’s answers, the pharmacist may recommend and administer a free blood glucose test. A simple finger-stick provides immediate results and categorizes blood glucose within a range of normal to high limits. Those whose level is considered high are urged to consult with their physicians for further testing.
“Diabetes is a serious condition that can significantly impact quality of life, which is why early detection and proper care are so important,” said Steve McCann, VP of pharmacy at Supervalu. “Through the My Diabetes Coach program, our goal is to help people learn to prevent or live well with the disease.”
The program began in March, letting customers register for a free, 90-minute grocery store tour with a specially trained pharmacist and a registered dietitian. The tour’s main focus is to teach customers how to read food labels and make nutritious choices when grocery shopping. While registration is open to anyone, Supervalu encourages those recently or previously diagnosed with diabetes to participate, along with friends and family who provide support to that individual.
In addition to the screening event and grocery store tours, pharmacists will conduct educational classes for patients with diabetes, including four one-on-one sessions. Free A1c tests, cholesterol tests and BMI assessments are offered during these individual sessions to help individuals manage their diabetes.
According to the American Diabetes Association, it is estimated that 86 million Americans age 20 and older have prediabetes, and 1.4 million new cases of diabetes are diagnosed each year.
Grocery wholesaler and retailer Supervalu Inc., based in Eden Prairie, Minn., serves customers across the country through a network of 2,067 stores, composed of 1,850 operated by wholesale customers serviced primarily by its food distribution business, 195 traditional retail grocery stores operated under five retail banners, and 22 stores operated under the Shop 'N Save name in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. It employs approximately 30,000.