New Jersey

Supermarket Chain Offers Kids Free Fruit to Promote Healthy Snacking

Kids who head out grocery shopping with their parents won't have to cope with growling tummies as they stroll through the aisles. 

Now, children under 12 get a free banana or clementine while shopping with a parent or guardian at 29 Village-owned ShopRite supermarket stores, including 26 in New Jersey. Stores in Maryland and Pennsylvania are also participating. 

The program, which was rolled out at all Village-owned ShopRite supermarket stores earlier this month, hopes to encourage kids to enjoy healthy snacks. Parents can find the fruits in the produce aisle, and the program will be overseen by each store's in-house dietitian. 

“We know that childhood obesity is a big concern in our communities and we want to do our part to encourage healthy choices and healthy snacking,” Ali Sumas, owner of Village ShopRite, said in a statement. 

The Village ShopRite stores participating in the program in New Jersey are in Absecon, Bernardsville, Cedar Knolls, Chatham, Chester, East Orange, Elizabeth, Egg Harbor Township, Galloway, Garwood, Hammonton, Hillsborough, Livingston, Marmora, Millburn, Old Bridge, Rio Grande, Somers Point, Somerset, Springfield, Stirling, Union, Vineland, Washington, Watchung and West Orange. Two stores in Maryland -- in Silver Spring and Timonium -- and one in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, are also participating. 

Visit ShopRite.com for more information on your local store.

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