Healthier Generation Store FAQs - Out-of-School Time
Q: How does my out-of-school time program get started shopping?
A: First, visit www.healthiergeneration.org/amazon, and click on the “Create my free account” button midway down the page – this will take you to Amazon Business’ registration platform, where you can get started via three simple steps:
- Step #1: Create a free Amazon Business account. All you need is a valid email address and shipping address.
- Step #2. Start shopping the Healthier Generation Store (upon account activation within one-three business days).
- Step #3. Use your saved time for other activities!
Already have an Amazon Business account? Go straight to the store now.
Q: Do I need to create an Amazon Business account to shop in the Healthier Generation Store, or can I use my existing Amazon.com account?
A: If you represent a business or organization, creating an Amazon Business account may help you to secure business-level pricing, account management tools and payment solutions. If you do not represent a business or organization, the entire Healthier Generation store will still be available through a general consumer Amazon.com account, however many of the features available to business accounts will not be available to you.
Q: Can parents or community members use the Healthier Generation Store to buy food for fundraising events or celebrations? Do they need to use the organization’s Amazon Business account, or can they use their own account(s)?
A: The Healthier Generation store will be accessible to both consumers (parents) and organizations (businesses). Whether parents or community members have the ability to use their youth-serving organization’s Amazon Business account is at the discretion of that entity and its procurement policies and procedures.
Q: What is the Healthier Generation Store with Amazon Business?
The Healthier Generation Store with Amazon Business is the first verified online store dedicated to selling products that align with the National AfterSchool Association Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Standards (NAA HEPA) and USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Meal Pattern. The store allows you to easily identify and purchase healthier, compliant products for a variety of purposes, including program snack and meal service, vending machines, organization stores, program activities, celebrations, fundraisers and community events.
Q: Why was the Healthier Generation Store with Amazon Business created?
A: We believe that an organization's budget or zip code should not hamper its ability to serve healthier options to kids. That’s why the Alliance for a Healthier Generation and Amazon Business partnered in 2016 to address the barriers schools and out-of-school time sites face when purchasing healthier products.
The innovative partnership brought together Healthier Generation’s expertise in children’s health and Amazon’s e-commerce platform and distribution channels. Through multiple pilots and market research, the partnership resulted in the creation of the Healthier Generation Store. This online store will make it easier for out-of-school time programs and vendors to identify and access healthier products that align with approved nutritional guidelines, regardless of an organization’s geographic location or what size of an order it may require.
Q: I’ve heard of Amazon. What is Amazon Business?
A: Amazon Business offers business-only pricing, expanded business selection and access to free shipping. Customers who have multiple users on their accounts have the ability to consolidate their purchasing under a single account, and to add a suite of professional purchasing tools to the Amazon experience they and their employees may already use. Amazon Business features approval workflows, tax-exempt purchasing, bulk shipping and more.
Q: How were the Healthier Generation Store products selected?
A: These products were determined to meet the National AfterSchool Association Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Standards and USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program Meal Pattern by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation based upon products’ ingredient statement and Nutrition Facts panel. More products will be added to the store on an ongoing basis.
Q: What are the “National AfterSchool Association Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Standards”? How are these products “healthier?”
A: In 2011, the National AfterSchool Association adopted standards for Healthy Eating and Physical Activity (HEPA) in out-of-school time. These standards recommend sites serve foods and beverages in amounts and types that promote lifelong health and help prevent chronic disease. These include minimally processed foods made with whole grains and heart-healthy fats or oils and without added sugar or trans fats; fruits and vegetables; and beverages made without added sugars.
Q: What is the “USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Meal Pattern”? How are these products “healthier?”
A: According to the USDA, the CACFP “provides aid to child and adult care institutions and family or group day care homes for the provision of nutritious foods that contribute to the wellness, healthy growth, and development of young children, and the health and wellness of older adults and chronically impaired disabled person”. The USDA recently revised the CACFP Meal Pattern “to ensure children and adults have access to healthy, balanced meals throughout the day. Under the updated child and adult meal patterns, meals served will include a greater variety of vegetables and fruit, more whole grains, and less added sugar and saturated fat. The changes made to the meal patterns are based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, scientific recommendations from the National Academy of Medicine, and stakeholder input.”
Q: What information can you provide regarding shopping in the Healthier Generation Store & alignment with federal procurement regulations?
A: All purchasing must be made in accordance with federal, state, and local procurement regulations. Procurement regulations are highly complex. The Healthier Generation Store was created to provide schools and sites with an option that may help them more easily access products that meet nutritional guidelines. We encourage schools and sites to connect with their organization procurement/purchasing department and/or State agency if they have questions regarding compliance with federal, state and/or local procurement regulations.
Q: You mentioned that the Healthier Generation Store sells products that align with the National AfterSchool Association Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Standards (NAA HEPA) and USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Meal Pattern. Are products aligning with any other sets of nutritional guidelines currently included in the Store?
A: Yes! Since the Food Service Guidelines for Federal Facilities (FSGFF)and the National AfterSchool Association Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Standards (NAA HEPA) were both created to align with the USDA Smart Snacks in School Standards, the store also currently features products that align with the USDA Smart Snacks in School Standards and FSGFF.
Q: Is the Healthier Generation Store’s product selection likely to grow?
A: Yes, we will be working with Amazon Business and the food and beverage manufacturers that we engage to continually add products. Additionally, while the Store currently features shelf-stable items, our goal is to in time grow the selection to include fresh and/or other perishable items.
Q: Do I have to be a member of the Healthy Out-of-School Time Program to participate?
A: No - although we strongly recommend signing up for our Healthy Out-of-School Time Program to receive additional resources to support healthier environments and to empower kids to develop lifelong healthy habits.
Q: Where do schools or sites go if they need more information/need help creating an account or using Amazon Business?
A: For additional registration information, please fill out the information form on www.healthiergeneration.org/amazon. For customer service, please visit www.amazonbusiness.com/contact or call (866) 486-2360 – please let them know that you are calling on referral from the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, and would like to get started with the Healthier Generation Store.