Making good choices
With the trials of 2020 in the rearview mirror and the uncertainties of 2021 ahead, it's important to remember self-care.
“You can short cut on certain (things) in life,” said Shaun Painter, an owner of Your CBD Store in Cranberry. “The one thing you don't want to is your health and well-being.”
The American Nutrition Association, or ANA, asserts that nutrition is an ecosystem: It depends on the collaboration of food producers, distributors, scientists, health care professionals, policy makers, philanthropists, corporations and others.
Maintaining good nutrition is a balance of communication and accessibility between distributors and customers.Painter said customers often come in to find alternative treatments for things such as arthritis, back pain and Crohn's disease.Now, Painter said Your CBD Store is seeing many people who are seeking supplements for stress, anxiety and lack of sleep.Painter's also noticed those coming in tend to range from 25- to 50-years-old.Pre-pandemic, Painter said about 50% of his customers were 70 or older. Between health concerns and stay-at-home orders, many of them haven't been venturing into the store.Sharp Shopper, a grocery store in Butler, is seeing a similar trend. Mike Sharp, assistant operations manager, said customer counts have changed.“We're actually seeing a decrease in customer counts, but an increase in customer sales,” Sharp said.
Sharp said what that seems to indicate is that while people aren't shopping as frequently as they did pre-pandemic, they're buying more each time they do.As a discount grocery, Sharp Shopper is able to provide fresh, nonperishable and frozen foods — as well as household items — for those on a limited budget.Sharp said this is possible because of industry closeouts from national food manufacturers.“Closeouts become available because of overproduction, packaging changes, seasonal items, warehouse damage or short date codes,” Sharp said. “Customers know that when (they) shop at Sharp Shopper, they will save money.”
Affordability has been a concern for many people impacted financially by the pandemic.To help make products accessible to those who want them, Painter said Your CBD Store has been implementing discounts.It's also been distributing more free samples, so customers can try new products before buying them.“This is a great place to start for alternatives,” Painter said.Sharp explained being able to sell food at reduced prices means customers don't need to worry about having coupons or bonus cards.In an effort to help customers feel as comfortable as possible when grocery shopping, many stores have started offering things like curbside pickup and delivery.Sharp said it's difficult for Sharp Shopper to offer those accommodations when inventory changes constantly. While foods like milk and eggs are always available from locally sourced vendors, items like frozen foods differ depending on availability.
“Customers say this adds a 'treasure hunt' dimension to shopping at Sharp Shopper,” Sharp said.That's not to say Sharp Shopper hasn't seen consistent demands from customers. Like Your CBD Store, the grocery chain has witnessed increased orders for nonperishable food.“Also, fresh fruits and vegetables featured in our produce departments continue to be in high demand,” Sharp said.Maintaining a well-rounded, consistent diet is key for health, according to the USDA's Dietary Guidelines for Americans.This means citizens should incorporate vegetables, fruits, grains, dairy and proteins into their meals.
Additionally, the guidelines address financial constraints. USDA food plans for low, moderate and liberal budgets include strategies for healthy shopping and are scheduled to be updated 2022.“Saving money is very important, especially in the difficult economic times we are experiencing,” Sharp said.Sharp and Painter may not know what to expect for the rest of the year, but they both believe it's imperative for people to focus on well-being.Being healthy begins with watching what you eat.“Every chemical that you put in your body, you have a reaction,” Painter said. “Know what you're putting in your body.”
