KEASBEY, NJ — ShopRite customers who have questions about the latest food trends, or about how to create a low sodium meal plan, can now get answers via the retail’s new “Registered Dietitian Virtual Chat” program.

The service can be accessed at www.shoprite.com. Once on the site, after clicking through the home page, customers will see a pop-up box that prompts them to chat with a dietitian. The service is supported by ShopRite’s team of registered dietitians and is available weekdays from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. If a dietitian is chatting with another customer, the shopper can leave a message, and the dietitian will respond as soon as they are available.

“Ever since we launched the in-store ShopRite dietitian program nearly 14 years ago, we’ve been creating new and expanded ways to help our customers take advantage of the wealth of expertise and knowledge that our team of dietitians have to offer,” ShopRite director of health and wellness Natalie Menza-Crowe said. “I’m especially excited about launching this program because it means we can now provide all of our customers – both those that shop in our stores, as well as those that are shopping with us online – with quick, easy and simple ways to get nutritional advice from licensed health professionals, at no charge, when and where they need it most.”

The RD virtual chat program was launched in December 2019 in partnership with HERO, the service that makes it possible for online shoppers to text, chat and video call with their favorite stores.

“Customers want the personalized service of in-store, with the convenience of online shopping” HERO CEO Alistair Crane said in a statement. “Our messaging app — designed for experts in-stores to instantly connect with online customers — provides online customers the guidance they need, in the most convenient, personal way. We’re delighted to partner with ShopRite to bring the power of conversational commerce to their locations and customers.”

Consumers can find out more here.

Founded in 2006, ShopRite’s in-store registered dietitian program now comprises more than a hundred registered dietitians serving over 140 ShopRite locations across the Northeast. ShopRite’s dietitians teach shoppers how to better understand ingredients and food labels, make healthy recipe substitutions, and take small but meaningful steps toward living a healthier lifestyle. ShopRite’s in-store dietitians also provide complimentary services such as one-on-one consultations, supermarket tours, support groups, classes, kids and adult cooking classes and in-store product samplings.

Menza-Crowe said that the RD chat is a first-of-its-kind program from a major supermarket retailer in the Northeast.

“We think that this is a fantastic way to leverage new technologies on our website and provide additional free services to our customers.”

ShopRite customer’s can also sign up for complimentary dietitian consultations and in-store classes and events via the the retailer’s website.