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Does it pay for grocers to give free fruit to kids?

February 4, 2016Written by Tom Ryan

Source: Malicki’s Piggly Wiggly Facebook page

A Piggly Wiggly in Racine, Wisconsin has caused bit of a social media stir by handing out free fruit to kids who are shopping with their parents. A fruit stand in front of the store reads: "One free piece of fruit from the selection for kids 13 and under." The move promises to help parents entertain their kids with a nutritious treat during their shopping visit and perhaps distract them from crying out for candy or some other less-healthy treat. Part of the game is letting the kid pick out their one piece of fruit. A Facebook message posted on Jan. 30 announcing the arrival of the fruit stand has received over 700 likes and more than 65 positive comments. Said Sarah Krewal, "That's such a wonderful idea. And it might keep a child from going hungry! Thanks Piggly Wiggly!" The idea came from a shopper seeing a "Fresh Fruit 4 Kids" display at a Kroger store in Ohio. Overseas, Tesco last fall trialed handing out free fruit to kids at 15 stores in Glasgow, Scotland. "As a father myself I know just how much of a challenge it can be to navigate the aisles with hungry children in tow," Josh Hardie, corporate responsibility director for Tesco, told the Guardian at the time. "As well as helping make sure children get their all-important five a day, we're hoping this new plan will help instill some healthy eating habits that will stay with children as they grow up." In Australia, Woolworths' "Free Fruit for Kids" campaign, launched last year across its stores, has incurred some criticism, with a few parents calling it "unhygienic." But according to news.com.au, others applaud the program. The chain expects to give away a million pieces of seasonal fruit a year.

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