Aldi Inc., a German grocery chain that is rapidly expanding in the United States, is making great strides to offer healthy foods at an affordable price.
The discount grocer plans to introduce Healthier Checklanes in select stores. Instead of candy and chocolate, Aldi will offer an assortment of nuts, trail mixes, dried fruits, and granola bars at its registers. The company says it will roll out the program to its nearly 1,500 stores by year’s end.
“By introducing Healthier Checklanes and through a number of other initiatives, we are doing our part to remove temptation at checkout and stocking stores with even more nutritious options,” said Jason Hart, chief executive officer of Aldi. “At Aldi, we truly care about our customers, and we’re responding with guilt-free checkout zones and increased food options they can feel good about.”
Aldi says it has also removed certified synthetic colors, partially hydrogenated oils and added MSG from its exclusive food brands, which account for more than 90% of its products. In addition, it will offer milk free of artificial growth hormones, and its yogurt, sour cream, and cottage cheese will be made with milk containing none of the hormones. [1]
The stores will expand its selection of fresh and organic meat and produce, and will offer a wider variety of gluten-free products under the liveGfree brand. [2]
Other initiatives include highlighting nutritional facts on the front of exclusive brand food packages and partnering with registered dieticians to offer consumers tips, recipes, and meal-planning suggestions.
The news comes near the company’s similar announcement that it will be banning bee-killing pesticides on produce.
Aldi has become one of the world’s biggest food retailers by offering quality products at prices approximately 30% lower than Walmart’s, threatening Whole Foods and 365 by Whole Foods Market, which is set to launch this year.
And for those with more upscale tastes, Aldi offers a number of artisanal cheeses, smoked salmon, quinoa and coconut oil.
The chain plans to spend $3 billion to open roughly 500 more stores in the U.S. over the next 2 years.
If you’ve never experienced the magic of Aldi, you should go prepared to make a few impulse buys. I know of whence I speak. You can find everything from artificial Christmas trees, to rose bushes, to yoga mats.
Aldi also makes a decent wheel of brie.
Sources:
[1] Food Business News
[2] Business Insider