Articles

​​​​​​​I am currently the dietitian at Amber Pharmacy, a Hy‐Vee subsidiary. Amber Pharmacy has a sister pharmacy called Hy‐Vee Pharmacy Solutions. Both are specialty pharmacies focusing on long‐term and complex treatment of chronically ill patients.

There isn’t a retail dietitian we know who isn’t pulled in multiple directions and working on a variety of projects at one. We know your time is valuable and for this reason, the Retail Dietitians Business Alliance is only conducting one survey a year. This is that survey and we’d appreciate you taking a few minutes to complete it. As added incentive, we’ll do a random drawing for three $100 gift cards from all those who answer the last survey question.

A growing number of consumers are now looking at their diet with not personal health in mind, but also on how their food choices may impact environmental health. With recent media attention on this topic and the release of the 2019 EAT-Lancet Commission report, consumer interest in this topic will likely increase. But what does a sustainable diet truly mean? Here are some considerations for talking about this complex issue in your role as a retail dietitian:

Are you looking to take your career to the next level, advancing business skills, and establishing your ability to provide strategic direction? Then register now for Rising in the Ranks, a professional development and coaching program specifically designed for retail dietitians.

Lately, plant-based eating habits are all the rage and consumers are looking for ways to add more plant foods into their daily lives. According to the IFIC Food and Health survey, half of consumers are interested in learning more about plant-based eating habits, yet 50% noted that meeting protein needs would be difficult in a plant-based lifestyle.

National Family Meals Month™ was created by the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) Foundation to effect change in the number of meals that families enjoy together at home each week.  It began with a platform designed for food retailers and suppliers to support consumers in making family meals a reality and, in turn, help them reap the physical, social, and psychological benefits of doing so.  

Effective managers of the future will be less hierarchical and will need to increase the communication and collaboration between everyone in the workplace. This shift from “top-down” management to “alongside” structured workplaces will include out-centric strategies that will focus on developing employees and teams so all members of the business can be active and valued contributors. Managers will want to listen rather than dictate so they can meet the needs of all team members and empower them to become the best they can be in life and in work. Here are some key behaviors that can help you become an out-centric leader:

For the past 10 years, an  uncontrollable bacteria has been attacking the Florida citrus industry. Citrus greening is a bacteria that has cut Florida orange production by over 50% and threatens the supply of 100% Florida Orange Juice. Join this webinar to understand the impact of citrus greening on the retail business on a category with high household penetration and nutritional value as well as research underway to combat this bacteria and revitalize the citrus industry.  

From New York Times’ Kim Severson naming mushrooms the “It” vegetable for 2019 to Martha Stewart claiming that mushrooms are the “food of 2019,” mushrooms are certainly having a moment. Grocery buyers are opening their carts up for more mushrooms with sales increasing every year over the past five years. With National Mushroom Month just around the corner, here are some ideas to ignite excitement in your produce department this September. 

Retailers love customers who actively recommend the products and/or services found at their store(s) and these “engaged customers” can play a critical role in the long-term profitability of companies. This pattern of customer activity is based on commitment, loyalty and positive word-of-mouth. But how do you, as a retail dietitian, get shoppers to become your ally and provide positive testimonials? And more importantly, how can you leverage meaningful customer interactions to help show management your value? Here are a few tips: