Fresh Express is starting the year off with a 30-Day Salad Swap challenge for consumers, asking them to download an application to make healthy changes in their lives in exchange for money-saving coupons.

The Salad Swap app contains different salad recipes to match the flavors that consumers share so that they opt for a lower calorie salad instead of a cheesy pizza. The app also tracks meals, calories, activities and salad purchases for rewards.

“Fresh Express is always pursuing initiatives to continue offering relevant healthy solutions to our consumers,” said Chris Hill, vice president and general manager of salads at Fresh Express, Charlotte, NC.

“We know that apps are convenient and efficient, especially for those on the go,” he said. “Having an app makes sense for this program. We want to make the program as easy as possible for our consumers and reward them for their healthy choices.

“Not only did we launch an app, but a microsite for consumers to input their information.  The app and microsite can be used interchangeably.”

Salad Swap
To participate in the 30-day salad swap initiative consumers must first download the Salad Swap app. The app is available for free download in Apple’s App Store and will be coming to Android phones in the near future.

For non-iOS consumers, they can access the program via the microsite www.saladswipe.com.

Consumers can then select a high-calorie item they are craving for a suggestion of a salad alternative.

For instance the app will suggest replacing fettuccine alfredo with “salad with fusilli and homemade creamy dressing” or “salad with creamy pasta.” The first option is only 260 calories and the second is 510 calories.

Consumers can then click on the options to see the recipes. The challenge is to swap one meal a day for a month.

Salad Swap also lets consumers track their eating and provides special offers in return. For every two Fresh Express bag codes entered into an account, consumers will earn coupons.

Consumers can earn coupons for up to 14 bags in 30 days. If they enter 15 salad bag codes in 30 days after signing up they can get $50 in coupons to use throughout the year.

Healthy eating
According to NPD Group, the average American eats a salad at meal time only about three times a month, so Fresh Express is trying to change that statistic.

Salads offer lower-calorie, high-nutrition options that can help improve a consumer’s health and wellbeing.

According to Fresh Express, the program’s salads have at least 25 percent fewer calories than comparison foods.

Fresh Express worked with two experts, Chef Britney Ruby Miller and Jessica Fishman Levinson, MS, RD, CDN, to come up with the best salad alternatives for the program that are both low-calorie and high-flavor.

“The promotion will run throughout the year,” Mr. Hill said. “We look forward to its success and developing similar promotions in the future to support our consumers and retail partners.”

Final Take
Rebecca Borison is editorial assistant on Mobile Marketer, New York