Kwik Trip Expands Commitment to Healthier Choices

LA CROSSE, Wis. — The Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA) recognized Kwik Trip Inc. on Friday as the first convenience store retailer to complete its initial commitment to expand healthier options across its stores. The nonprofit organization works with the private sector and PHA Honorary Chair First Lady Michelle Obama to make healthier choices easier for Americans.

"With more consumers expecting to find fresh and healthy items on the go, the convenience store industry is in the midst of a momentous shift — one that Kwik Trip has been leading for several years now," stated PHA CEO Lawrence A. Soler. "Just a few years ago, it was unusual to see fresh fruit in many convenience stores, but today Kwik Trip sells 400 pounds of bananas per store per day. In fact, after making a commitment to PHA, Kwik Trip's bulk produce sales grew 5.5 percent in 2015."

Kwik Trip joined the PHA during the organization's annual Building a Healthier Future Summit, as CSNews Online previously reported. Since then, it has fulfilled its initial commitment to the PHA by:

• Introducing at least four categories of fresh fruits and four categories of fresh vegetables across its stores;
• Expanding its whole grain-rich offerings to at least six products; and
• Implementing a Healthy Concessions Program in local schools.

Additionally, through its EatSmart program, which is designed to encourage healthier options, Kwik Trip became the first c-store to offer a PHA-approved combo meal.

"Kwik Trip has made many advancements over the past two years to make healthier choices more convenient and accessible for our guests," said Erica Flint, a registered dietitian for Kwik Trip. "We have enjoyed working with PHA and receiving the positive feedback from guests on the programs we have implemented. We are eager to continue our partnership with PHA and get to work on our expanded commitments."

Building upon these efforts as part of a new commitment to PHA, Kwik Trip announced that by June 2017, it will offer an expanded stock of healthier options, including healthier packaged foods such as nuts and granola bars throughout the store. The chain will increase healthier options in the checkout area as well.

Kwik Trip will also continue to encourage more consumers to drink water more often through its support of PHA's Drink Up initiative.