Weis Markets Launches Free Nutrition Education Tours

Weis Mystery Tours is a new field trip program that will help third- and fourth-grade students learn about the fundamentals of nutrition in Weis Markets’ stores.

During a 90-minute tour, students play the role of Weis Detectives searching the store for clues to solve the “Case of the Missing Energy.”

The program, offered at no charge, is the brainchild of Weis Markets’ team of registered dietitians. Karen Buch, Weis Markets’ director of lifestyle initiatives, said response from teachers has been highly positive.

“We’re scheduling tours through the 2010-11 school year for both public and private schools, as well as for groups of home-schooled students, Boy and Girl Scout troops, and church groups,” said Buch. “Our goal is to make the tours both fun and educational. We believe these tours will support the fight against childhood obesity.”

The tour program reinforces USDA’s MyPyramid nutrition principles, with a focus on the importance of making sensible food and activity choices. Trip amenities include detective gear, online classroom support materials, and healthy snacks and take-home packs for both students and parents.

Tour locations include 50 select Weis Markets stores throughout the Sunbury, Pa.-based grocer’s five-state market area. More information is available at www.weismarkets.com/mysterytours.

Weis Markets operates 164 stores in Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York, New Jersey and West Virginia.