Giant-Carlisle, Martin's Bow Passport to Nutrition Website

As part of its directive to help eradicate childhood obesity, Giant Food Stores and Martin’s Food Markets have introduced Passport to Nutrition, a Web-based interactive program that teaches children about nutrition and living a healthier lifestyle. The site additionally arms parents and teachers with the right tools to help kids live better both at home and in school.

“Childhood obesity has become a growing health issue, and it’s important for both kids and their parents to understand what they can do to eat healthy and maintain an active lifestyle,” explained Shirley Axe, health and wellness manager at Giant/Martin’s, which are banners of Ahold USA. “Whether through our Kids Healthy Ideas field trips or kid-friendly nutrition classes in-store, combating childhood obesity is important to Giant/Martin’s.” According to Axe, the chains are “among the first … in the country to create an interactive and educational program for kids’ nutrition.”

Passport to Nutrition offers four lessons covering the food pyramid and physical activity, understanding food labels and portion control, how to eat the requisite amount of fruits, vegetables and grains for optimal health, and healthy snacks and beverages. Included with each of the lessons are downloadable worksheets, kid-friendly songs and interactive games to bolster the healthy-eating messages.

The program is available at giantfoodstores.com/kidhealthyideas or martinsfoods.com/kidhealthyideas.

Based in Carlisle, Pa., Giant/Martin’s operates stores in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia under the names of Giant Food Stores and Martin’s Food Markets and employ almost 30,000 associates.