title: The effect of price reduction on salad bar purchases at a corporate cafeteria.
abstract: The objective of this study was to determine the effect of a price reduction on salad bar purchases in a corporate cafeteria. We reduced the price of salad bar purchases by 50% during March 2012 and analyzed sales data by month for February through June 2012. We also conducted an anonymous survey. Salad bar sales by weight more than tripled during the price reduction and returned to baseline afterward. Survey respondents reported that the high price of salad relative to other choices is a barrier to purchases. Policies that make the price of salads equal to other choices in cafeterias may significantly increase healthful food consumption.
authors: HealthPartners Institute for Education and Research, 8170 33rd Ave South, PO Box 1524, MS 21111R, Minneapolis MN 55425-1524, USA. Thomas.E.Kottke@HealthPartners.com
authors: Thomas E
authors: TE
authors: Kottke
authors: Nicolaas P
authors: NP
authors: Pronk
authors: Abigail S
authors: AS
authors: Katz
authors: Juliana O
authors: JO
authors: Tillema
authors: Thomas J
authors: TJ
authors: Flottemesch
mesh_terms: D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D005522:Food Services / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D015279:Organizational Culture; D011362:Professional Corporations; D014675:Vegetables / Q000191:economics*