Hannaford Supermarkets brings FOODPLAY to over 600,000 children and their families across the Northeast

Thanks to a groundbreaking partnership, Hannaford Supermarkets has brought FOODPLAY shows and co-branded nutrition education resources to over 500 elementary schools, reaching more than 625,000 children, school staff, and family members throughout its five state market area!

Hannaford Bros.—operators of 156 supermarkets in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, and Massachusetts—understands that supporting their neighborhood schools and the health of their communities is good business. When asked if the tour is making a difference for children and for the company, Community Relations Specialist, Molly Tarleton responded, “Absolutely! FOODPLAY is the difference!”

FoodPlay Productions has been a remarkable partner for us—as a supermarket company that is dedicated to nutrition and education—the FOODPLAY program allows us to fulfill our strategy and give back to our community and our schools in a way that we couldn’t have imagined. Every time we do a show, we have our local store manager present it and they walk away being the health hero for their community. Parents have thanked us, saying that their kids keep talking about the show, that they’re making healthier choices.We feel so proud to give the gift of FOODPLAY and the terrific co-branded materials to hundreds of elementary schools and at special events, reaching over 120,000 children, and their families, throughout our five-state market area. We couldn’t have a better partner than FoodPlay Productions—they are the cornerstone of our community relations and marketing initiatives and a great way to make a real difference in the lives of the families throughout our region.”

- Molly Tarleton, Community Relations Specialist, Hannaford Supermarkets

Incomparable Media Coverage

An added bonus to Hannaford Supermarkets is the widespread media coverage the FOODPLAY program regularly receives. The media loves to cover these events that show hundreds of children laughing and learning. The colorful photos often earn prominent placement in newspapers, and at the same time, gives positive brand visibility for Hannaford. Sample press coverage:

Having trouble getting your kids to eat their fruits and veggies, get off the couch, and turn off the computer games? Thanks to a groundbreaking partnership with Hannaford Supermarkets, 58,000 children and family members at 35 schools throughout the Northeast will experience FOODPLA​Y​ — a national award-winning theater show featuring awesome feats of juggling, music, magic, and audience participation to turn kids on to healthy eating and active living.”

- Fosters.com, Milton, NH, Feb 2015

FOODPLAY, in partnership with Hannaford Supermarkets, reaches 58,000 children and family members at 35 schools through the northeast. Woven into each performance are lessons that teach kids the importance of healthy eating and an active lifestyle. As a part of Hannaford Helps Communities, the schools also receive comprehensive resource kits with follow-up materials to extend the nutrition education activities throughout the year.”

- Oneida Daily Dispatch, Morrisville, VT, March 2015

Co-branded Nutrition Education Materials

As part of the “Fresh Adventures at Hannaford–FOODPLAY Tour,” schools throughout the Northeast receive the FOODPLAY school-wide performance along with a comprehensive set of co-branded follow-up materials for everyone involved—parents, teachers, students, school food service, health staff, and the press. Local Hannaford store managers are invited on stage to introduce the program and distribute the co-branded educational materials created by FoodPlay Productions.

For 2014 and 2015, Hannaford is making available to students who see FOODPLAY at school, a free set of FoodPlay Fruit + Veggie Tracker Bands to be picked up at their local Hannaford Supermarket! This fun tool helps kids go for fruits and veggies throughout their day. Kids put five colorful bands on their left wrist, and every time they eat a fruit or vegetable, they get to move one band to the other wrist. Throughout the day, these fun tracker bands remind kids to eat more fruits and veggies! And, as part of the partnership program, parents receive coupons to purchase fresh produce at their local Hannaford store! 

Over the years, our partnership with Hannaford has offered neighborhoods fun-filled solutions to help families raise healthy kids. In addition to the live FOODPLAY school assembly program, Hannaford has distributed effective tools such as the FOODPLAY Passport to Fresh Adventures! – customized for Hannaford Supermarkets, which received rave reviews! These fun-filled activity booklets that resemble passports are loaded with stickers, and motivate children to “travel the world of fresh fruit and veggie adventures” by trying new foods. Each time they try a new fruit or vegetable, they add a sticker. Once they fill up their Passport, children could go to their neighborhood Hannaford Supermarket with their parents and receive a special prize.

In the 2008 tour, Hannaford gave students a custom-inscribed copy of FoodPlay’s newly published children’s book, Janey Junkfood’s Fresh Adventure! Both the book and the Passport enable kids to easily bring the messages of FOODPLAY home to the whole family.

Thank You Hannafords for making such a positive difference in the lives of the children and families in your communities!

Results

The partnership has been a great success! The teachers, parents, students LOVE the program and deeply appreciate Hannaford Supermarkets’ ongoing support for healthy eating and exercise habits and providing such a positive nutrition education experience. The messages last long after the performers leave, thanks to the power of live theater, and the excellent follow-up materials the schools receive.

When asked if the tour is making a difference for children and for the company, Community Relations Specialist, Molly Tarleton responded, “Absolutely! FOODPLAY is the difference!”

FoodPlay Productions and Hannaford Supermarkets won the 2006 National Excellence Award from the Produce for Better Health Foundation for this ground-breaking partnership.

Thank you for the awesome and entertaining production! The students and staff really enjoyed the performance. The crew was so nice and organized. I highly recommend this play for any elementary level wellness program. Thank you to Hannaford for sponsoring the program and reaching out in a creative way to teach our youth about good nutrition!

- Maura M. Milner, RN, MEd, NCSN – Ellis School, Fremont, NH

About Hannaford Supermarkets

Hannaford is committed to promoting healthy lifestyles and is the originator of the internationally acclaimed Guiding Stars® Nutrition Navigation System, which helps shoppers easily identify healthy food choices. Hannaford operates 156 supermarkets in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, and Massachusetts, and is owned by Delhaize Group of Brussels, Belgium.


For more information about customized partnerships, contact:
Barbara Storper, Executive Director
1-800-366-3752 or 413-247-5400
barbara@foodplay.com