6 C-Store Chains Committed to Healthier Choices

SAVANNAH, Ga. -- Convenience-store retailer enmarket has partnered with Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA), committing to provide healthier choices to customers in the effort to help end childhood obesity. It is the sixth convenience-store chain in the country to support the nationwide nonpartisan, nonprofit organization led by some of the nation’s most respected health and childhood obesity prevention advocates.

“Today there are more convenience stores than warehouse clubs, supercenters, dollar stores, supermarkets and drug stores combined. With more and more consumers demanding healthier options, there is a huge opportunity for growth among the expanding number of convenience stores, like enmarket, that are stepping up to meet this demand for healthier products and make the healthy choice the convenient choice,” PHA CEO Lawrence A. Soler said.

In 2010, PHA was created with but independent from first lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! effort. It brings together public, private and nonprofit leaders to broker commitments and develop strategies to end childhood obesity. It also ensures that “commitments made are commitments kept” by working with unbiased third parties to monitor and publicly report on the progress partners are making.

Click through to see which c-store chains have made the PHA commitment.

Savannah, Ga.-based enmarket operates 61 stores in Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina.

“There are many organizations involved in the PHA, but only five other convenience-store chains,” said Matt Clements, enmarket’s director of marketing. “This underscores the fact that convenience stores can do something to improve healthier food access, and we’re happy to be at the forefront of that movement within our industry. It is a long-term commitment for enmarket.”

Enmarket has increased the availability of better-for-you snacks in its stores, with more organic, gluten-free and non-GMO options for customers. Fresh salads, sandwiches and produce are delivered multiple times each week, so enmarket can offer the freshest possible products on its shelves. Many enmarket locations prepare fresh grab-and-go offerings daily on site. Its restaurant concept, The Eatery, includes fresh made-to-order offerings such as sandwiches, salads, burritos, premium coffee, smoothies and more.

Also, in support of PHA’s signature initiatives, enmarket will integrate Drink Up branding into store promotions and incorporate fruit and vegetable marketing collateral across its stores to encourage more customers to drink water more often and eat more fruits and vegetables.

“Our solidified support of PHA will help enmarket continue to build a healthier future for children because we will be collaborating with powerful partners in creating solutions to ensure every child grows up at a healthy weight,” Clements said. “We now have a seat at the table with other corporate, nonprofit, academic and government counterparts to address critical issues that are impacting the future of this country’s health and well-being. Enmarket is committed to being part of the answer in making the healthy choice the easy choice for all Americans.”

In March 2014, Kwik Trip Inc. was the first convenience-store retailer to join PHA. La Crosse, Wis.-based Kwik Trip, a family-owned business, runs more than 500 convenience stores and other retail outlets in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa.

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Kwik Trip is also the first convenience-store chain to complete its commitment to expand healthier options across its stores. In addition, through its EatSmart program, which is designed to encourage healthier options, Kwik Trip is the first convenience store to offer a PHA-approved combo meal.

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Convenience-store retailer Sheetz Inc. joined PHA in 2014 and made a two-year commitment to deliver more nutritious options across its stores. Altoona, Pa.-based Sheetz operates more than 500 convenience stores throughout Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia, Ohio and North Carolina.

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Tri Star Services’ convenience-store chain Twice Daily signed on to expand healthier options across its stores as part of PHA in 2015. Nashville, Tenn.-based Tri Star/Twice Daily has 73 Twice Daily c-stores in Tennessee and Kentucky.

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Convenience-store chain U-Gas, home of GiGi’s Café Express, also signed on to expand healthier options across its stores as part of PHA in 2015. Fenton, Mo.-based U-Gas has approximately 35 c-stores in Missouri and Illinois.

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Convenience-store retailer Vintners Distributors Inc. announced its commitment to PHA in February 2015. Vintners owns and operates more than 120 convenience stores and Loop Neighborhood c-stores in California.

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Bonus: While not a convenience-store chain, c-store distributor McLane Co. Inc. has signed on as a PHA partner.

As part of McLane’s commitment, the grocery and foodservice supply-chain-services leader will enhance its healthier-for-you offerings and support PHA’s goal of solving the childhood obesity crisis within a generation.

In addition, McLane has launched a custom supply-chain solution that enables the company to deliver fresh produce to its grocery retail customers nationwide.

McLane is the first grocery and chain restaurant distributor to make a commitment to PHA.

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