The dairy aisle in the Shop ‘n Save in Heidelberg, Pa., got a makeover this week as part of ADA North East’s Dairy Aisle Reinvention (DAR) program. Designed to provide a positive shopping experience for consumers which means they’ll stay longer and spend more on real dairy. DAR provides retailers with new merchandising techniques, customized signage, nutrition information, and a farm-to-table campaign highlighting local dairy families. Based on previous research after DAR installations, dairy case managers have reported up to 3-6 percent increases in dairy sales.

The market leader for sales among the entire Shop ‘n Save chain, the Heidelberg store received two decals for each of the 48 dairy case doors to help shoppers more easily identify the real dairy products in each case. In addition, 18 four-foot long signs where hung above the case to draw customers’ attention.

Two signs featured local dairy farm families — the Sturgeon family of Fombell, Pa., and the Kind family of Slippery Rock, Pa., who ship their milk to United Dairy and Schneider’s Dairy, respectively. The “Choose PA Dairyâ€_x009d_ signage was also included to show shoppers they’re getting a locally produced product and putting a face to the people who are producing their food.

These installations were funded in part through a $100,000 Pennsylvania Dairy Investment Program Grant that ADA North East received from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.