Kids’ group asks for granola, Wal-Mart lets them have it

Photo by Michael Woodward

EATING BETTER: The group, “Kids Make a Stand,” presented their Photovoice project to Wal-Mart June 8. The group successfully lobbied Wal-Mart to offer healthy snack alternatives at select checkout lanes. Pictured, left to right, are Emily LaFayette, Rebecca LaRiza, Allison LaFayette, Jonni Hinton and James LaRiza.

For kids, entering a checkout lane has always been like walking through a gingerbread house. It’s a little hallway made of chocolate and sugar portioned by colorful wrapping. But due to the efforts of a group of five Anderson Middle School students, the Anderson Wal-Mart will offer healthy snack options at some registers on a permanent basis.

The group, “Kids Make A Stand,” is comprised of Emily LaFayette, Allison LaFayette, Rebecca LaRiza, James LaRiza and Jonni Hinton.

They persuaded Anderson Wal-Mart manager Tim Trimble to try the change at a couple of registers in April. Shortly after unveiling the new registers, the group polled 500 Wal-Mart customers for feedback.

Even though the poll results were positive, the sales figures were more persuasive to Trimble. Sales of the healthy snacks have doubled due to their placement at checkout stands and community support of the project. As a result, Wal-Mart will add the healthy options to a third checkout lane and add a refrigerated case of water (no sodas), juice and string cheese.

Well over half of the respondents said they would like to see healthier food options available at every checkout stand, not just the two present registers. Those polled desired granola bars, trail mix, beef jerky, graham crackers, fresh fruit, fruit juice and bottled water. Respondents specifically asked for sugar-free items for diabetics, healthy crackers, unsalted items and a variety of fruit.

Managers of the Wal-Mart stores in Redding and Red Bluff are also interested in making the change at their stores. Other Anderson stores were also receptive to offering healthy choices, including Sarco Gas and Food and Anderson Food and Gas. Trimble foresees the project being replicated, going regionally, possibly throughout California and launched nationwide.

“I’m putting a presentation together to give to the regional manager,” Trimble said.

“To think that five Anderson Middle School kids got this to go,” said Shasta County Public Health Assistant Jeri Butler. “This experience shows the kids that their voice is important, that those in charge will listen to them, and change will happen faster because they’re kids. If (Public Health) went to Tim with this change, he would have said ‘no.’”

The students’ group went through four months of nutrition education, spoke with a nutritionist and they have learned to read labels. In their presentation to Wal-Mart, the group explained how a poor diet hinders concentration, causing poorer grades in school.

“The kids really put me on the spot,” said Trimble. “They were asking me about nutrition needs and would I help them raise their grades. The corporation is already (promoting healthy eating) in a roundabout way. This is a catalyst.”

“Kids make a Stand” is the third Photovoice project to take place in Anderson. The first group convinced the city to reprioritize and install sidewalks along Silver Street to make for safe access to the skate park in the spring of 2005. The second group expressed likes and dislikes of the Anderson River Park to Anderson Parks and Recreation Director Ken Hartman. As a result, the restrooms were furnished with more lighting and the basketball nets are replaced more often.