Page 32 - Today's Dietitian (March 2020)

Writing

Retail
for

Customers

BY LORI ZANTESON
R etail dietitians constantly create new and level. Most supermarket retailers post these publications

on their websites in addition to offering hard copies. They
innovative ways to reach their store’s cus-
also have webpages devoted to recipes and nutrition,
tomers, educating and helping them make
more healthful nutrition choices. In addi-
giving retail RDs a whole new platform to contribute and
tion to an already full agenda of in-store
Social media takes it a step further with messages and
responsibilities, retail RDs are taking the expand their reach to customers and noncustomers alike.
time to write—and lots of it. They’re writing everything posts, blogs, podcasts, and live digital broadcasts on sites
from in-store demo and intercom announcements to arti- such as Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest, all of which can
cles for store magazines and social media posts, using be tagged and shared.
every avenue they can to ensure their messages resonate Molly Hembree, MS, RD, LD, retail dietitian coordina-
and reach as many people as possible. With so many ways tor for The Little Clinic of Kroger in Columbus, Ohio, writes
to tap inspiration and several resources at their finger- prolifically for several of Kroger’s online avenues. “I’m writ-
tips, there’s never been a better time for retail dietitians to ing plant-based, food safety, meal planning, and mindful
write their way toward making a healthful difference. eating nutrition blogs for our Kroger (www.kroger.com)
and Kroger Health (www.krogerhealth.com) sites, articles
The Many Things They Write for our internal The Little Clinic Newsblast, and I have my
Traditionally, retail RDs have worked behind the scenes own spot, “Ask the Dietitian,” in our Kroger Live Naturally
planning and writing in-store materials, such as store (https://livenaturallymagazine.com) magazine,” she says.
flyers and newsletters, recipes, and scripts for demos She also writes nutrition tips on social media for Kroger’s
and educational classes. Those working at larger chains private label, Simple Truth, for a blog called Mondays with
may write articles for a full-featured, glossy store maga- Molly. Outside of Kroger, she’s a columnist for Progressive
zine, such as Weis Markets’ HealthyBites Magazine and Grocer, a food industry news magazine.
Kroger’s Live Naturally, complete with seasonal topics,
recipes, color photography, and nutrition education arti- Inspired Content
cles. Many RDs continue to do this; however, advances What’s more, retail dietitians do lots of planning when
in publishing and the increase in internet-based content it comes to writing. They typically work 12 weeks in
have taken their writing to the next level—the digital advance, using an annual editorial or promotional

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