Shoppers purchase more healthy foods when offered discounts

Low-income shoppers purchase an average of 10 more servings of fruit and vegetables per week when given discounts on those items, but they return to less-healthy buying habits when the financial incentive is removed, found a study by the Einstein Healthcare Network and The Fresh Grocer. “The study showed you can do something to jump-start change,” said Etienne Phipps, director of Einstein’s Center for Urban Health Policy and Research. Phipps added that food suppliers and sellers should find ways to offer healthy items at lower costs. American City Business Journals/Philadelphia/Health Care Inc. blog