How the Heart-Check Mark Can Make a Difference at the Register
Every February, West Pak Avocado celebrates American Heart Month by reminding retailers to proudly display bagged avocado products that feature the American Heart-Check logo. West Pak earned the coveted certification in 2017, which signifies that our product met strict dietary criteria for healthy foods, as outlined in the American Heart Association’s sound science regarding healthy dietary recommendations. The requirements for certification include food categories, specific product ingredients, and nutrient values.
Understanding the Heart-Check Symbol
For shoppers, the Heart-Check designation signifies the health benefits of avocados and makes it easy to make sensible eating choices at a glance. Since a healthy heart is essential to living a healthy lifestyle, West Pak’s Avo Experts are quick to remind retailers to make it easy for shoppers to spot the Heart-Check logo when shopping.
To help retailers, West Pak offers a selection of grab-and-go bagged avocado brands that proudly feature the Heart-Check symbol, including:
California Gold
If you’re looking for the highest quality avocados for your next meal, look to California-grown fruit. Harvested from the fertile and sun-soaked hills of the golden state these premium avocados offer a buttery smooth texture and light nutty taste that simply can’t be beat.
Lil’ Cados
With a just-right, no-waste size, Lil’ Cados are the ideal solution for all noshing needs. These mini-sized avocados are perfect for single-serve meals, offering a powerhouse of vitamins, minerals, and vital plant nutrients in every serving. Plus, they’re brimming with flavor so you won’t sacrifice taste for nutrition.
Party Pak
When it comes to hosting a party, there’s no better way to ensure guests leave with a smile than with a bag of Party Pak avocados. Not only are these avocados jumbo-sized, but they come with a scannable party guac recipe on the packaging, so you can whip up the perfect avocado dip to accompany chips, veggies, or whatever you’re serving.
Why the Popularity?
Increased consumer interest in healthy eating has driven the demand for avocados. According to Statista, per capita consumption of avocados in the U.S. currently stands at 8.43 pounds, with other sources claiming the number could surpass 11 pounds by 2026.
Avocados are virtually the only fruit with monounsaturated fat and polyunsaturated fat, or good fats. Over 75% of the fat in avocados is unsaturated (monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats), making them an ideal substitute for foods high in saturated fat. Diets rich in foods containing fiber, such as some vegetables and fruits, may reduce the risk of heart disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. Avocados are a good source of fiber (3g per 50g serving) and are an excellent fresh fruit option to help boost fiber intake.
In an annual consumer survey conducted by the Hass Avocado Board, 72 percent of U.S. grocery shoppers who participated reported the “good fats” associated with avocados as a critical driver for the purchase decision.
Promote Heart-Healthy Shopping to Customers
There are many health-driven reasons why the Heart-Check mark on packaging should be prominently featured in all promotional materials and on retail displays.
“Avocados are one of the most sought-after superfoods and have rightfully earned a reputation as a nutritional powerhouse. As a retailer, it’s important to empower your shoppers to unlock the immense health benefits of avocados by making it easy to recognize the symbol synonymous with heart health. Never miss a beat to promote this healthy green fruit using the Heart-Check mark on all advertisements, in social media, and in-store displays,” said West Pak Avocado Vice President of Sales and Business Development Joe Nava.
Although February is Heart month, that doesn’t mean healthy habits can’t happen year-round. Here are a few tips on how to keep the momentum going throughout the year:
- Create an “Avo-Destination” in the produce aisle. Designate a specific area that offers the latest avocado offerings so that shoppers always know where to look each time they browse. It’s important always to carry multiple avocado sizes for different markets and change out the display based on season, holidays, and cross-promotions. Your in-store avocado destination should always offer a fresh appeal and entice people to shop.
- Spotlight the Heart-Check symbol on bags on social media. Create a digital campaign that touts the many health benefits of avocados in each case showing how shoppers can quickly spot the Heart-Check logo when looking for healthy meal options.
- Promote with healthy avocado recipes. At every opportunity, provide recipes for avocado dishes that help support a healthy diet. Use them in print and digital ads or on your website, even link to them on social media and place QR codes in avocado displays – all great ways to spark interest in healthy eating.
- Provide in-store shopping incentives. Whether it’s a coupon for a certain amount off of bagged avocados, a special to promote ripe-and-ready loose fruit, or a cross-promotion deal, incentives help shoppers check off avos on their shopping lists.
Create a Conversation Around the Avocado’s Health Benefits
A study sponsored by the Hass Avocado Board and published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that eating one avocado per day could decrease LDL cholesterol levels. This has been confirmed by additional studies, including one that found that eating an avocado twice a week could reduce heart disease risk by up to 16 percent.
The health benefits of avocados don’t stop there. Eating avocados can also help people maintain a healthy weight and reduce abdominal fat, as they are packed with nutrients but are low in calories. Plus, avocados are incredibly versatile and can be added to a variety of dishes. Whether eaten on its own, with a sprinkle of salt and pepper, or added to a wrap, sandwich, or salad, the creamy texture and slightly buttery taste of avocados will keep people coming back for more. Furthermore, swapping out fatty spreads, sauces, and main ingredients with avocado can be an effective way to improve one’s health without sacrificing taste.
If you are looking for ways to promote avocados to give your shoppers a healthy diet upgrade, consider suggesting they add an avocado a week to their meals.
“By providing consumption guidelines backed by scientific evidence, you can help shoppers make healthier decisions while shopping for that week’s meals,” said West Pak Avocado Senior Marketing Manager George Henderson. “Arm your shoppers with this valuable information to help them act on their desire to eat better.”
Continue to Share Heart Health & Avocados Beyond February
West Pak is committed to providing customers with the freshest and healthiest avocados. By featuring the Heart-Check symbol on our products, we ensure shoppers have the opportunity to make informed decisions about the foods they choose. Whether you are looking to promote avocados as a snack or a healthy touch to a family meal, the Heart-Check mark on West Pak’s bagged avocados ensures that your shoppers know they are making a heart-healthy choice.
Stay 100% Avo-focused with heart-healthy avocados in retail; request more information here.
