CVS new healthy products - Annie's, Krave, Chobani
CVS Pharmacy is adding better-for-you brands to its offerings, including Annie’s Homegrown, Chobani and Krave Jerky.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Pharmacy is expanding its selection of healthier foods and beverages in more than 2,900 stores nationwide. Each week throughout the year, 100 stores will be enhanced with a curated assortment of national and niche better-for-you brands, including Amy’s Kitchen, Annie’s Homegrown, Chobani, Vita Coco, Bai, Krave Jerky, Rhythm Superfoods and That’s It bars. Additionally, the drug store chain will add products to its exclusive line, Gold Emblem Abound, which is free from artificial preservatives, flavors and colors. The effort expands on a pilot initiative that began in 500 stores last year.

Judy Sansone, CVS
Judy Sansone, senior vice-president of Front Store Business for CVS

“Since becoming the first and only national pharmacy chain to end the sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products, the No. 1 thing we’ve heard from our customers is the desire for healthier food options,” said Judy Sansone, senior vice-president of Front Store Business. “This year, we are continuing to expand the assortment, volume and shelf space dedicated to better-for-you foods and snacks offered in our stores nationwide to make healthier snacking easier and more convenient for our customers.”

Beginning this summer, CVS will dedicate approximately 25% of the front checkout space in its stores to better-for-you snacks, including Kind Bars, Larabars and Vega One bars.

CVS Gold Emblem Abound products
CVS also plans to add products to its Gold Emblem Abound line, which contains no artificial preservatives, flavors or colors.

In addition to the 2,900 stores to stock more better-for-you products, another 360 stores will feature a broader selection of healthier foods in an expanded refrigerated section and more prominent displays of healthier snacks.

In select locations, the company also will highlight products that suit special diets, including paleo, raw and vegan. Paleo displays will feature such products as Epic grass-fed bison bars and Gold Emblem Abound organic black chia seeds. Raw foods on display will include Go Raw bars, Emmy’s Organics and Two Moms in the Raw. A vegan showcase will feature Larabar Bites, Kashi Teff Thin Crackers and Gimme Health Food Seaweed Snacks.

In addition to broadening its better-for-you selection, CVS plans to promote healthy weekly deals and tag its shelves to identify items that are a good source of protein, heart healthy, gluten-free, sugar-free, organic and Non-GMO Project verified.