Kroger’s Mid-Atlantic Division is encouraging children to begin healthy eating habits by giving them one piece of fruit each time they visit a store.

Children under the age of 12 select from bananas, apples or oranges as a gift from Kroger. A child-size display is in each of the 122 stores so that children can select their fruit.

“We hope parents will take advantage of the free fruit to talk with their children about the importance of eating healthy at an early age,” said Allison McGee, corporate affairs manager of the Mid-Atlantic Division.

“Keeping a small offering of fruit in front of children at meals and snack times encourages them to try eating fruit,” added McGee, “but it takes time to instill habits.”

Another benefit of the fruit may be to take the shopping experience more pleasant for parents, said McGee. “If children anticipate the fruit, there could be less interest in sweets.”

Kroger’s Mid-Atlantic Division operates stores in Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina and in Johnson City/Kingsport, Tennessee, Marietta, Belpre and Proctorville, Ohio, and Russell and Ashland, Kentucky.

-Submitted by Allison McGee