SAN ANTONIO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- H-E-B has announced the launch of "Healthy at H-E-B," a comprehensive, long-term commitment to improve the health of Texans and provide them with fresh, healthy food that is affordable and easy to prepare.
As New Year’s resolutions loom large, H-E-B aims to help millions of Texans to adopt and stick to a healthy lifestyle through special offers on healthy food, fitness groups, events and competitions organized around the three critical pillars of health— food, body and life.
To demonstrate its commitment to the cause, H-E-B is investing an estimated $20 million in lower prices on fresh produce.
“We are facing a health crisis in Texas,” said Craig Boyan, President and Chief Operating Officer. “Last June, Texas was listed as the 13th most obese state in the nation. An estimated 64 percent of the total population and one in five Texas kids are now considered overweight or obese. Given our position as the leading food retailer in the state, we have a unique opportunity to help those who want to make a change for themselves and their families.”
In addition to lower prices on produce, H-E-B will make it easy and affordable for customers to eat healthy with its new Healthy Savings meal solutions, packages of fresh ingredients with recipes for preparing a healthy meal for four for under $10 after a $4 coupon.
H-E-B will also challenge customers to get fit with contests such as Slim Down Showdown, in which 25 contestants from around the state compete for a $10,000 grand prize.
“With 'Healthy at H-E-B,' we want to do everything we can to give customers the tools they need to adopt healthy habits such as cooking and eating healthy meals at home and getting at least 150 minutes of exercise per week,” said Kate Rogers, vice president of communication and engagement.
The company launched “Healthy at H-E-B” in 2004 with its 76,000 Partners (employees) with overwhelming success.
"Over the past year, we’ve focused our energy on developing a culture of health for our Partners," Rogers said. "It seems like every day we hear about another great success story from a Partner who has decided to make a positive change. The next big step is engaging our customers in our health journey. Our goal is to be the health resource for all Texans who are looking for guidance and support.”
FOOD
Price Investment
To make healthy eating easy, convenient and
affordable for our customers, H-E-B has committed to an estimated $20
million investment in lowering prices on fresh produce.
Healthy Savings meal solution
H-E-B will also offer two
Healthy Savings meal solutions per month in all of its stores throughout
the San Antonio Food and Drug Division, which covers most of Texas. The
solution will include a bundle of at least four healthy ingredients that
can be used to prepare a delicious meal for a family of four for under
$10 with a $4 dollar coupon.
The meals, modeled after the USDA’s new My Plate guidelines, will include lean proteins, fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat or non-fat dairy, as well as three recipe cards from H-E-B’s team of dietitians to show customers how to prepare great tasting meals at home. H-E-B's Showtime Partners will demonstrate how to prepare the Healthy Savings meal solutions during H-E-B’s Second Saturday events.
“We want to dispel the myths that healthy food costs more, it’s hard to prepare and it doesn’t taste as good,” said Suzanne Parker, H-E-B’s Corporate Health & Wellness Coach.
Dietitian’s Picks
Each month, H-E-B’s team of dietitians
will select recommended items that follow government guidelines around
reduced sugar, fat and sodium content, and will provide recipes and
demonstrations with the featured products in a series of seven pilot
stores in San Antonio, Austin and Waco.
Ready, Set, Cook Challenge
Beginning in March, H-E-B will
launch an 8-week challenge for both Partners and customers to encourage
them to cook and eat from home at least one additional night per week
and to try at least one new recipe and one new fruit or vegetable each
week. Participants will be asked to track their progress online for a
chance to earn some great incentives and prizes. Customers will also be
asked to submit their favorite unhealthy recipe to be modified by
H-E-B’s team of dietitians. The Top 100 will be published this fall in a
Healthy at H-E-B cookbook.
BODY
150 Minutes per week Campaign
H-E-B is challenging customers
to move their bodies at least 150 minutes every week. To inspire
engagement, H-E-B will encourage both Partners and customers to
establish training teams in their local communities to help prepare for
fitness events sponsored by the company such as 5Ks, marathons and
triathlons.
Ready, Set, Move Challenge
Beginning in September, H-E-B
will launch another 8-week challenge for both Partners and customers
focused on healthy activities such as walking, running, swimming, and
playing sports. To allow participants to connect, compete and monitor
their individual progress, H-E-B will introduce a series of trackers and
tools available on heb.com as well as most smartphones.
LIFE
Second Saturday Screenings
On the second Saturday of each
month, H-E-B holds free screenings at all stores with a Pharmacy for
customers to learn their “numbers” including cholesterol, glucose, blood
pressure, and waist circumference. Customers also learn how these
numbers can affect their overall health and wellbeing. With the launch
of “Healthy at H-E-B,” the popular Second Saturday events will now run
year-round, with extended hours from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. each month, and
will feature healthy product sampling, cooking demos in Showtime
stations and Cooking Connections, fitness demonstrations by local
organizations and activities for children.
Slim Down Showdown
In 2011, H-E-B hosted its first internal
Slim Down Showdown Challenge. A total of 15 Partner contestants were
selected and they participated in a 12-week transformation that inspired
more than 15,000 other Partners to follow them along on their journey.
Together, the “fantastic 15,” as they became known, lost more than 550
pounds and saw significant improvement on both their biometrics and
their overall physical and emotional wellbeing.
This year, for the first time, H-E-B will invite customers to participate in a similar experience. A total of 25 people from around the state will be selected to compete for a $10,000 grand prize and a $5,000 “fan favorite” prize in the 16-week Customer Slim Down Showdown contest beginning in June. All contestants will come to San Antonio to participate in an intensive three-day wellness program with the experts from H-E-B and Cooper Corporate Solutions. Once they return home, they will receive weekly coaching and support in addition to meal plans and fitness goals and they will be encouraged to get their friends and family members to sign up to be official members of their “support team.”
In October, H-E-B will host a Family Expo & Fun Run featuring cooking demos, product sampling, pharmacy screenings, and the grand finale of the Slim Down Showdown where the winners will be announced. Starting Monday, Jan. 9, customers can apply online at heb.com and all applications are due Wednesday, Feb. 29.
Heb.com Health Content
H-E-B has created a Healthy Handbook
in cooperation with Cooper Aerobics for its 76,000 Partners. It is a
comprehensive guide filled with detailed information on proper
nutrition, physical activity and overall wellbeing. Beginning January 4th,
to coincide with the two-week "Healthy at H-E-B" store event, much of
this content will be available to customers online at heb.com/healthy.
About H-E-B
H-E-B, with sales of more than $18 billion, operates more than 335 stores in Texas and Mexico. Known for its innovation and community service, H-E-B celebrated its 105 anniversary in 2010. Recognized for its fresh food, quality products, convenient services, and a commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainability, H-E-B strives to provide the best customer experience at everyday low prices. Based in San Antonio, H-E-B employs more than 76,000 Partners and serves millions of customers in more than 150 communities. For more information, visit www.heb.com.
Melissa Ludwig, 210-380-0733
There are no comments yet