Convenience stores are known to be quick stops for fuel and a snack. Post-pandemic, more consumers are focused on their health than ever before. With this trend, convenience stores must adjust their inventory to include healthier options customers want. Here are 10 healthy snacks c-store owners must add to their shelves, according to Men’s Journal…
Convenience stores have become popular stops for quick and convenient meals. Foodservice sales increased by 20.5% to $43.2 billion in 2021, yet 6 in 10 shoppers are not happy with the current selection of healthy foods. The post-pandemic world has brought an intense focus on physical health and well-being, as 70% of Americans are more conscious of their physical health post-pandemic, according to the New York Post.
With the boost in convenience store foodservice sales alongside the increased focus on health for consumers, it important now more than ever to focus on the healthy food offerings of your c-store.
Consumers find the following 5 items most important when it comes to healthy foods in c-stores, according to Convenience Store News…
Additional concerns include:
- Ingredients that are easy to understand and pronounce
- Sodium
- Carbohydrates
- Caffeine
- Fat
- Locally sourced/produced
- Non-processed
- Non-GMO
- Artificial sweeteners
- Clean label
- Antibiotics
- Artificial flavors
- Functional/vitamin enhanced
- Growth hormones
- Vegan/plant based
- Gluten
Those that grew in concern/interest from last year include all-natural, locally sourced/produced, clean label, antibiotics, and artificial sweeteners.
Additionally, 60% of health-conscious c-store shoppers see room for improvement in the current healthy food/beverage selection available in store. With fresh being the top concern, try adding items prepared salads, sandwiches, or fresh fruit to your foodservice offering for lunch on the go. Another thing to consider is adding more items like oatmeal, cereal, protein bars, protein shakes, healthy drinks, etc. Continue reading about the importance of fresh food in c-stores on the goEBT blog.
While expanding healthy food offerings is important to all customers, it is especially important for SNAP recipients. As a SNAP retailer, you are a vital access point for fresh, nutritious foods for SNAP recipients. If your inventory is lacking in healthy food offerings, then SNAP recipients will have a more difficult time accessing foods with nutritional value. Check out the EBT stocking requirements with this free goEBT resource to ensure your store checks the boxes.
Learn more about becoming a SNAP retailer with goEBT’s free EBT resources
