Offering healthier options at carryout stores improves bottom line

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-06/jhub-oho063015.php

Public Release: 30-Jun-2015
Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health

A pilot program designed to encourage mom and pop carryout shops in Baltimore to promote and sell healthier menu items not only improved eating habits, but also increased the stores' gross revenue by an average 25 percent, new Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health research found.

A key finding, published in the July/August issue of the American Journal of Health Promotion, is that not only were healthier options expanded in low-income, African-American neighborhoods, but that storeowners actually made money selling these foods -- which the researchers say should make it easier to convince more carryouts to alter their menus.

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