We’ve all been there – rushing to flights, scanning menu boards for something healthy to snack on, searching for something nutritious that won’t ruin our diet or fill us with regret later.
Healthy eating is on a dramatic uptick nationally, with the natural and organic grocery industry clocking in at $67 billion dollars a year. Naturally, airports are looking for more ways to meet this growing demand for healthier options while on the go.
But new options are available. Earthbar opened in LAX’s Terminal 6 last year, a healthy convenience store offering everything from smoothies, sandwiches and cold-pressed juices to snacks and vitamins and supplements.
The airport location has exceeded expectations simply because we’ve taken the guesswork out of eating healthy while traveling.
What airports need to consider when getting people the healthy options they desire
Most people want to eat healthier fare but don’t want to think too much about it. They’re looking for retail locations to offer food items that are nutritious and high-quality and provide options that fit a wide variety of dietary needs. That ease of shopping is an important factor.
We’re also finding experience and credibility matter . Our approach has been honed by 45 years of serving health-conscious customers in 26 other Earthbar locations. Experience can allay consumer concerns about “health-washing” – fears that products are marketed as good-for-you but are actually not.
What travelers are looking for in healthy options
Not surprisingly, meals that are truly healthy and “travel well” are popular, like smoothies. However, instead of dairy, high-sugar fruit juices and fruit concentrates found in many other smoothies, these smoothies use a base of hemp milk, organic almond milk or coconut water. Many of the smoothies are “meal replacements,” with up to 25 grams of protein per smoothie, making them work as “carry-ons” for busy travelers.
Grab-and-go macrobiotic salads, sandwiches and cold-pressed juices are also popular options for travelers rushing between terminals or onto flights.
Other in-demand products help to de-stress and boost immune systems during hectic travel days. Vitamins and supplements meet the unique needs of travelers, like rehydrating hair, skin and nails after long flights.
Potential payoffs for airports with healthy options
One reason healthy marketplaces have been attractive to airports is flexibility. With a focus on smoothies and grab-and-go foods, a marketplace can take the form of kiosks, convenience stores and larger format locations – even fitting into small spaces or odd and awkward corners.
Adding healthy options for airport staff creates another win, particularly as more companies make employee wellness a business priority. In fact, we see much of our LAX traffic coming from airport employees.
It’s no surprise that consumers are seeking out healthy food options that work with busy lifestyles – and we’re finding airports are no exception.
Bob Lustig is CEO of Earthbar, a healthy convenience store with 26 locations, including 19 in Equinox gyms and one at Los Angeles International Airport. Earthbar brings 45 years of experience innovating nutritional products to its offerings, including smoothies, grab-and-go meals, cold-pressed juices, healthy snacks and vitamins and supplements.
