Price Chopper’s Healthy U Open House
This past Saturday, I got up extra-early and headed out for a long day trip to Albany, NY to participate in Price Chopper’s Healthy U Open House. While driving 6+ hours and working a fast-paced show in a supermarket on a Saturday might sound like no fun to some, I was very excited to go. Long-time readers of A Better Bag of Groceries can probably tell that I don’t just love my job, I’m practically addicted to it. Seriously, I was thrilled to spread the NuVal word to Price Chopper’s customers. I actually spent a lot of time in the aisles, helping customers trade up for better NuVal scores. It was a blast. Meanwhile, at home, my husband was shepherding the kids through a day that included ballet class, the Cub Scouts Pinewood Derby, and a bowling birthday party. Believe me, I got the better deal! I think he was more tired than I was at the end of the day.
Price Chopper pulled out all the stops to make this event a great success.
Customers came in and were greeted with balloons and a free re-usable shopping bag.
After that, customers were treated to free samples throughout the store.
Yes, that is pineapple dipped in dark chocolate. And yes, it was delicious!
The goal of the Healthy U Open House was to teach Price Chopper shoppers that they can choose to eat nutrititiously and it can be delicious.
So, we went to work teaching customers about how to use NuVal to trade up for better nutrition. Price Chopper shoppers are so lucky to have NuVal scores right on shelf. In fact, Price Chopper was first supermarket in the country to implement NuVal.
Price Chopper’s Senior Dietitian, Ellie Wilson, MS, RD and NuVal’s Manager of Nutrition Communications, Rachel Rodek, MS, RD, LDN, CSSD worked the NuVal table….
while I hit the aisles and helped customers trade up for better nutrition.
This mom was very happy to learn about Dreamfield’s pasta which gets an amazing NuVal score of 87.
She bought 2 boxes!
Wouldn’t it be cool to see this sign on your grocery store shelf?
I got to meet some great people, like the Chopper Shopper…
Jodie Fitz, who runs Price Chopper’s Kids Cooking Club and Dianne Fagan, RD, CDN, one of Price Chopper’s registered dietitians.
We wrapped up the event at 4 pm, and then I became a Chopper Shopper myself. I love to roam the aisles to look for new products! I know – I’m a supermarket geek.
But check this out!
I could buy Classico sauce with a NuVal score of 37…
or the Price Chopper brand with a NuVal score of 81.
Guess which one I bought? 
Also, I found that I could buy Old El Paso salsa with a NuVal score of 4…
or Price Chopper’s Coyote Joe’s brand, which gets a much higher score of 41.
That went in my cart too!
I could have stayed there all night digging into all the scores in the aisles. I learn something new on every visit. But it was time to hit the Mass Turnpike for the 3-hour ride home. I was tired, but I felt great knowing that I had spread the NuVal word to some Price Chopper shoppers. I love my job!
Winner of Yesterday’s Giveaway
Congratulations to Commenter #14 Kelley! You’ve won Linguine and Dark Chocolate. Send me an email @ abetterbagofgroceries@gmail.com with your mailing address.
Question of the Day
What grocery store would you most like to see NuVal scores in?
Posted by: Melissa 19 comments
Posted in: Price Chopper
on Mar 31st, 2010 at 10:33 am
STOP & SHOP!!!! Although, a Price Chopper is coming into my town soon so hopefully they use NuVal scores. Is this something all Price Choppers use or does it vary from store to store?
on Mar 31st, 2010 at 10:41 am
Harris Teeter’s – or any grocery store found in the Southeast. I’d loooooooooooove NuVal scores.
on Mar 31st, 2010 at 10:50 am
Christine -
I would love to see it at Stop & Shop too! And yes, NuVal scores are in all 119 Price Chopper stores. In addition to writing this blog and heading up Associate Engagement for NuVal, I serve as the Customer Manager for the Price Chopper account. So I know their stores well!
Melissa
on Mar 31st, 2010 at 11:12 am
I would love it in stop and shop, too
on Mar 31st, 2010 at 11:40 am
I already emailed both Shaws and Stop and Shop this week to inquire about partnering up with Nuval. I used to shop at Price Chopper all the time when I lived with my parents in New York though so I’m happy that Price Chopper was the first!
on Mar 31st, 2010 at 12:08 pm
I am within walking distance to Harris Teeter, so it would be wonderful if they had NuVal. However, I would drive 30 miles to shop at a store that had NuVal vs. walking to one that did not.
on Mar 31st, 2010 at 12:11 pm
Any chance NuVal could be coming to a supermarket near me in NYC? Food Emporium or D’Agastino’s. So hard to remember all the scores from your blogs – I need a reference book.
on Mar 31st, 2010 at 12:22 pm
I’m crossing my fingers that NuVal will make its way out west sometime soon….I’d love to see it at my Safeway or Raley’s.
on Mar 31st, 2010 at 12:53 pm
The only store around me is Wal-Mart. I would love to see NuVal scores used. It would be so helpful, especially when in a hurry.
on Mar 31st, 2010 at 1:58 pm
fresh and easy and trader joes please! i would love it
what a great event.
on Mar 31st, 2010 at 5:28 pm
Wegmans!
on Mar 31st, 2010 at 9:15 pm
I’m in Texas, where HEB dominates. Love to see it there!
on Apr 1st, 2010 at 1:36 am
Safeway and Albertsons in the Northwest.
on Apr 1st, 2010 at 8:22 am
Central Market or Target. I buy most of my groceries at these two stores.
on Apr 1st, 2010 at 9:17 am
STOP & SHOP!!!!!
on Apr 1st, 2010 at 10:39 am
Fareway stores in Iowa and Wal-Mart!
on Apr 1st, 2010 at 11:09 am
Safeway/Genuardi’s, Giant, or Target. Is there a good way to suggest to our local food stores or Nuval that they look into this?
on Apr 1st, 2010 at 11:29 am
Hi Tricia -
Yes, there is is a Suggest a Store link on the NuVal website! You could also suggest it to your store manager!
Thanks,
Melissa
on Apr 1st, 2010 at 5:08 pm
Stop and Shop!! It would make my life so much easier!