Stop & Shop gears up for back to school with new initiatives

FAIRFIELD, Conn. — Stop & Shop has expanded its A+ School Rewards program and is introducing healthy store tours for kids.

The A+ School Rewards program — which allows customers to designate the points they earn for every dollar spent at Stop & Shop to the school or schools of their choice by registering their Stop & Shop card at StopAndShop.com — increase its contribution to help fund schools with a commitment of $2.5 million.

Also new this year, customers can earn double points on the purchase of select bonus products throughout the program, as well as triple points when they purchase items labeled by the retailer's exclusive Healthy Ideas labeling system. The Healthy Ideas product labeling system helps customers identify healthy options as they shop the aisles, Stop & Shop said.

What's more, Stop & Shop said it is offering Kid Healthy Ideas store tours, through a partnership with Field Trip Factory, a new field trip program that reinforces the nutrition and healthy living curriculum taught in local schools.

"With increasing rates of childhood obesity in this country, Kid Healthy Ideas provides children with a fun and interactive way to learn about proper nutrition and health," said Mark McGowan, president of Stop & Shop's New England division.