Langenstein’s Gets ‘Guiding Stars’
Specialty grocer Langenstein’s has launched nutrition navigation system Guiding Stars its New Orleans-area supermarkets, marking the program’s first appearance in the Crescent City.
“New Orleans is well known and respected for its world-famous cuisine, but struggles with some of the highest obesity rates in the country,” noted John Eldredge, director of brand and business development at Scarborough, Maine-based Guiding Stars Licensing Co. “Langenstein’s is stepping forward to help integrate nutrition into Louisiana’s rich food culture by providing their customers with resources that make healthy living ‘New Orleans-style’ easier than ever.”
Originally rolled out at Hannaford Supermarkets in 2006, Guiding Stars recently received patent protection for its nutrition rating algorithm, which relies on evidence-based science and the most current dietary guidelines and recommendations of such national and international health organizations as the FDA and USDA. The system credits all edible foods based on the presence of vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber and whole grains, and debits for the presence of trans fat, saturated fats, cholesterol, added sugars and added sodium. Foods receive a rating with zero, one, two or three stars, with one star meaning good nutritional value; two stars, better nutritional value; and three stars, the best nutritional value.
“Filling your grocery cart with healthy food is easy when you have nutritional information on shelf to help guide you through the aisles,” said Trey Lanaux, fifth-generation owner of Langenstein’s, which is offering the system at its locations at1330 Arabella Street in New Orleans and 800 Metairie Road in Metairie, La.
Guiding Stars has been rolled out to more than 1,600 supermarkets, among them Delhaize America banner Food Lion, Hannaford, Bloom and Sweetbay; Homeland; Kings Super Market; and Marsh Supermarkets. The system also expanded into public schools, colleges, hospitals, and corporate cafeterias, and appears on the Shopper mobile iPhone application.