Hannaford earns gold stars for its health-and-wellness programs

Hannaford has been an innovator in the drive to bridge food and pharmacy. The chain’s dedication to health and wellness really gained attention in 2006 when it implemented Guiding Stars, the first storewide nutrition navigation system in the United States.

The star-rating system rates food products and prepared meals, and has become the model for the rest of Delhaize’s banners. Now it is featured on shelf tags and on in-store communication at the Hannaford, Food Lion, Bloom and Sweetbay banners. As of the end of 2009, there were more than 16,500 food products that were “starred.”

Another key innovation, MyHannaford.com, enables shoppers to make up to 10 personalized shopping lists, set preferences by dietary restrictions and access their shopping list from their smart phones.

The grocer also offers free nutrition classes across New England, covering such topics as “eating for healthy blood sugars” and “prenatal nutrition.” Registered dietitians lead the classes.

In addition to offering such pharmacy services as free blood-pressure checks and free flavoring of liquid medications, the grocery continues to offer its Healthy Saver Plus program to help patients save money on prescriptions, vision care, hearing aids and diabetic supplies.