NACS, C-Stores Join Partnership for a Healthier America

WASHINGTON -- The National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS), Cumberland Farms and other companies are partnering with the Partnership for a Healthier America to help in its goal to help increase access to healthy food options.

For NACS, the association representing the nation’s more than 154,000 c-stores, the new commitment with the Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA) makes it the first retail-association partner.

The partnership will allow NACS to leverage the PHA’s resources and expertise to help c-stores provide more visibility for healthier choices inside their stores.

"The commitment furthers the goals of NACS and our members to make a positive impact in the communities we serve, whether through charitable giving programs or helping to equip our members to truly make the healthy choice the convenient choice," said NACS President and CEO Henry Armour.

At the PHA Summit in Washington, D.C., NACS was joined by Westborough, Mass.-based Cumberland Farms in announcing commitments at the annual event, joining eight other NACS retail member companies that are already committed to expanding healthier options in their stores.

Read on to learn more about the c-stores and other companies working with the Partnership for a Healthier America ...

Over the next three years, Cumberland Farms has committed to several concrete, measurable steps that will:

• Emphasize the selection of healthier foods sold in its stores, through signage, new products and revised store layouts.
• Encourage its team members to incorporate healthier foods into their diets through exclusive everyday discounts and nearly 40,000 employee coupons every month.
• Support its communities by making healthier foods more universally accessible, through competitive pricing, continued SNAP participation and more than 100,000 pounds of food donations every year.
• Leverage its private-label products to promote healthier foods through the PHA "Drink Up" Water Initiative and its "Healthier Food" ingredient and recipe guidelines.

"With this commitment to PHA, we're taking another step toward the future of the Cumberland Farms brand, and our renewed emphasis on fresh food," said Ari Haseotes, CEO of Cumberland Farms. "Our vision is to be the clear choice for our on-the-go customers, including an increasing number who want the option of healthier meals to bring home and better-for-you snacks for the road."

In addition to Cumberland Farms, eight NACS retailer members have joined PHA in previously announced commitments. They include:

• Kwik Trip, La Crosse, Wis.
• Sheetz, Altoona, Pa.
• Loop Neighborhood, Fremont, Calif.
• Tri Star Energy's Twice Daily, Nashville
• U-Gas, Fenton, Mo., now operated by Wallis Oil Co.
• Enmarket, Savannah, Ga.
• Ricker’s, Anderson, Ind.
• Sunoco's Aloha Petroleum, Honolulu

"Convenience stores serve millions of Americans every day. As NACS and its members know, most of those purchasing decisions are made in seconds," said Larry Soler, president and CEO of the Partnership for a Healthier America. "Our innovative partnership with NACS is key to ensuring that convenience-store customers can be met in the store with healthier options."

PepsiCo Inc., Purchase, N.Y., also signed an agreement with PHA to independently report and verify the company's progress against previously outlined goals designed to transform its product portfolio and offer healthier options.

PepsiCo's goals include a focus on reducing added sugars, saturated fat and sodium levels. In addition, the company is focused on offering more positive nutrition such as whole grains, fruit and vegetables, dairy, protein and hydration, as well as greater access to nutritious foods and beverages in underserved communities.

The specific goals that PHA will track focus on added sugars, saturated fat and sodium. By 2025, PepsiCo expects that:

• At least two-thirds of the company's global beverage portfolio volume sold will have 100 calories or fewer from added sugars per 12-ounce (355 ml) serving.
• At least three-quarters of the company's global foods portfolio volume sold will not exceed 1.1 grams of saturated fat per 100 calories.
• At least three-quarters of the company's global foods portfolio volume sold will not exceed 1.3 milligrams of sodium per calorie.

"Our agenda for the next 10 years includes ambitious goals to further improve the nutritional profile of our products and expand our range of wholesome and nutritious offerings," said PepsiCo Chairman and CEO Indra Nooyi.