Food Revival

Today was one of those days I tried desperately to separate my daily work from my weekend life. All I needed to do was drop by Publix and pick up a few items and the next thing you know I'm talking childhood obesity all up in the candy aisle. My audience? The store manager. Let me back up and start from the beginning.

You see, I adore grocery store shopping. Sick, I know. I simply can't help myself. Of course, when summer arrives, I tend to do less shopping because I get my weekly Jones Valley Urban Farm CSA bag and I frequent farmers markets quite regularly. Today, I simply needed a few extra items and decided to stop by Publix on Montclair Road.

I had my list organized by the store layout (not kidding and yes this is another sick habit) and made my way to the "bread section," which should have  been my first stop. Why? Because it is conveniently located by the jelly/jams and right across from the deli section. Screeeeeeech. Hold UP. The bread section is now the juice section. Where's the bread?

Well I'm so glad you asked. The bread is now located on a *new* aisle, which also happens to be the new home for peanut butter and jelly. Ah. Makes sense. Down the aisle a little ways you'll also find the school supply section. I get it. Okay, so school = peanut butter + jelly SANDWICHES. Got it. Wait a second. What else do I see on this very same aisle? Um... the CANDY section. You got it, folks. This "new" aisle is strategically divided in half: one side CANDY galore and school supplies. Opposite side: peanut butter, jelly, and bread.

I had one of those "keep moving, amanda. it's no big deal. just get your bread and move along" moments.  Then I noticed the store manager restocking some candy. A little voice kept repeating, "weekend time. we can't solve it all. pick up the bread and move on." Another voice? "This is your job. This is offensive. You have to say SOMEthing. What good is all that work and effort during the week if you just keep silent just because it's your day off? Tell him. Tell him this just ain't right."

I move forward a few steps. Then I back up. Move again. Back up. Dang. Next thing you know I hear myself saying, "Sir... I just have to say something if you don't mind." Next thing you know I'm telling him about the childhood obesity epidemic in Jefferson County, the work I'm doing, and how this one redesign complicates everything. As I'm talking, two families with kids (obviously distracted by the SNICKERS right behind me) move through the aisles. The store manager couldn't have been nicer and simply stated this was a mandate -- that all stores were redesigning themselves to be consistent across all stores.

I emphasized that I got it. I used to work in the marketing business -- the food marketing business-- and that I didn't need to understand *why* all of these items needed to be on the same aisle. I mean, I *get* why candy and kids go together but I just needed him to know that it disappoints me. He mentioned that parents need to explain to their kids about moderation and that he does that for his kids. And of course it all comes back to this one thing: Individual Choice. Every. Single. Time.

I politely thanked him for taking that kind of time with his kids and then began to explain that unfortunately,a lot of parents *don't* take that kind of time. Even though it might not be the responsibility of the store to teach these kids, it sure would *help" if the candy was separate from such a popular grocery list item (ahem...BREAD). Especially considering that Alabama is the SECOND fattest state in the nation.

So I get my other items and I leave. On the way home I wondered how in the *WORLD* we could possibly bridge these groups together. And then it dawned on me. Plenty of folks continue to ask me, "How can I get involved with what you are doing?" Well, here's how:

1) Be observant. Next time you are in the grocery store, I'd like you to just take your time. Place yourself in a kids shoes and look at the items they may see at their height level. Pay close attention to the cereal and candy aisles.

2) Your money matters.  Let's face it: Your dollars are IMPORTANT to the retail sector and if you have a store you frequent often, don't be afraid to talk to the managers and employees in the aisles. Let your voice be heard.

3) Partner with your grocery stores. If there's some funky nationwide movement to reorganize aisles based on a corporate mandate, then ask your local retail store to incorporate *other* initiatives (a "buy one get one free" of a kid friendly item with less sugar, perhaps).

The more YOU speak up on behalf of what is right, the more support we have to push for broader change throughout Jefferson County. After all, we want our grocers to be our partners in this movement for change.

This is what you can do to help me. It doesn't matter if you have kids or not ( I don't). Speak up on behalf of all of the children in Jefferson County. Be present. Engage. Advocate. Introduce at least ONE new good-for-you kid-friendly item to your grocery store cart each week.

I'm really glad I decided to speak up today. I will also continue to shop at Publix. (I just might get my bread from somewhere else.)