The supermarket change that could help Aussies eat healthier and save money
Updated . First published at
An independent supermarket is changing the way it advertises the price of fruit and vegetables to shoppers, and is hoping the major chains will follow suit.
Ritchies, also known as Ritchies Supa IGA, are making it easier for customers to buy what they need by showing the nutritional serve of fruit or veg price in addition to the price per kilogram.
This price is far cheaper but it's hoped the plan will not only help Aussies save money but encourage them to build healthier eating habits.
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Ritchies IGA hopes are that major supermarkets will follow suit. Nine
"It's trying to change people's mindset," Ritchies CEO Fred Harrison said.
One serve of fruit is 150 grams, while one serve of veggies is 75 grams.
The recommended daily intake is two serves of fruit and five serves of vegetables.
Researchers believe it could persuade Aussies to buy more fruit and veg if they realise how cheap it is to get to the daily recommended dose.
"If you're just looking at $7.99 for zucchinis, you might think that's a bit steep," Fiona Newton from Monash University said.
"But if I tell you it's 60 cents per nutritional serve, our research says that your mindset changes."
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Researchers claim customers will benefit health wise, as well as saving money. Nine
Newton claims the changes have already caused changes.
"Our research shows that it's increased per day (by) 60 grams of extra vegetables per loyalty card customer," she said.
"That's about 420 extra grams a week."
More than 70 Ritchies IGA stores on the east coast of Australia have already taken on the new approach, with plans to launch it nationally.
There is now a push to take it to Australia's major supermarkets.
"It's good for your health, good for your wallet and it's good for Aussie growers," AusVeg CEO Michael Coote said.
Clarification: An earlier version of this story indicated Ritchies would show the ost of a serve of fruit or veg instead of the unit price per kilo. This is not correct and both prices will be shown.
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