It’s called “Shop with Your Doc,” an initiative that stations doctors and nutritionists at supermarkets in Orange County, Calif, “to answer questions and offer advice about healthy eating — all for free,” says the Los Angeles Times. Health economic professor Glenn Melnick, of USC, says it’s part of an evolution of the healthcare system to try to improve community health.
“The hospitals that are doing this are kind of anticipating the future,” Melnick told the newspaper. St. Joseph Hoag Health, a network of clinics and hospitals, sponsors “Shop with Your Doc” and says the project has provided nutrition information to around 7,000 customers of two grocery chains so far this year.
“Medical providers often end up talking to people who’ve never been to a doctor. More than once they’ve learned after measuring someone’s blood pressure that they require immediate medical attention,” says the Los Angeles Times. There are other initiatives affiliated with medical facilities for healthy diets, such as cooking classes, coupons for free produce, and inviting farmers markets to locate at health clinics.