Store tours provide a unique opportunity for people with diabetes to learn about the principles of healthy eating and apply that to their food shopping.
What is a store tour?
A store tour is when a registered dietitian takes a group of people with diabetes around their local supermarket giving practical advice on food choices. It is an excellent opportunity for participants to gain experience of understanding food labels and selecting appropriate food choices.
How do I organise a store tour?
Start by contacting the managers of your local supermarkets to find out which ones would be interested in hosting a store tour. Once you have established a partnership, work with one of the store’s nominated coordinators to organise the details of the tour.
Refer to 'Checklist for running a store tour' (right) for a detailed action plan for organising a store tour.
What resources do I need for a store tour?
There are numerous leaflets available for you to give out at your store tour. We would suggest 'Eating well with diabetes' - more information about ordering this leaflet can be found from the link on the right. This booklet clearly explains the ten steps to eating well, including information on meal plans and answers to the many myths about certain foods and diabetes.
We also have a handy guide that will help people with diabetes to understand food labels - 'Know your labels' - to help them be more informed about the food they are buying. The guide folds to credit card size. More information about ordering this can be found from the link on the right.
How do I advertise a store tour?
Two or three weeks before the store tour, you need to start promoting the tour. Write a press release to send to local media, giving the contact name and number of the store tour’s coordinator, so that people can get more details and register. Posters (template downloadable on the right) can also be displayed in places such as diabetes clinics, GP surgeries or the supermarket itself. You should also contact your local Diabetes UK voluntary group. Information about contact details of your local Diabetes UK voluntary group, can be found through the link on the right.
How many people should take part in the store tour?
You should aim to have between eight and ten people taking part in each tour – depending on the size of the store. It is worth noting that some participants may bring friends or family members. Registration forms should be held at the store to track numbers. You can download and use the registration form on the right.
Feedback
To help Diabetes UK provide registered dietitians with the tools they need to run successful store tours, we would be grateful if you could provide us with feedback on the store tours that you have organised, using this downloadable evaluation form.