Dietetics and Nutrition Students Response to Grocery Store Tour Training Program

Abstract

Retail dietetics is a growing field, however, there is very little research available on effective teaching strategies for preparing students to enter this part of the profession. This paper is the second paper to report on the results of produce –focused grocery store tour training program. This paper focuses on the trained students’ perception of the program’s effectiveness. Twenty-five dietetics and nutrition students were trained in providing produce – based grocery store tours, and then gave store tours to other college students. Students completed a pre – and post – training survey rating their confidence in providing this type of education and on their intention to do so as part of their career. Students rated their confidence level in giving produce – based grocery store tours significantly higher after the training than before (p < 0.05). However, the training program did not significantly increase the student’s intention in pursuing a career that included giving grocery store tours. The results of this study indicate that a practical training program in giving store tours may increase students’ comfort level with doing so.