A U.S. retail chain is following in the footsteps of Woolworths in Australia and Tesco in Britain to encourage better nutrition for kids. 

As part of its ongoing effort to "infuse life with health and wellness", Raley's Family of Fine Stores will be providing free fruit to children in stores while parents shop, with baskets of fruit placed at the entrance of each store.

The free fruit will only be available for kids under the age of 12.

"Raley's wants to connect kids with fresh and healthy food, while enhancing our customers' overall shopping experience," said senior vice president of store operations, Kevin Konkel, in a release.

"Offering kids free fruit is an opportunity to provide a nutritious snack option. We know that small changes in food choices can make an impact over time."

In the release, Raley's said making fresh fruit as accessible as possible to youth who were so early on in their personal food journeys could help instill better dietary choices and practices later in life.

“Fruit is a delicious and easy way for kids to get more fiber and important nutrition into their day, keeping their immune system strong and their taste buds happy!” exclaimed Emmie Satrazemis, Raley’s wellness evangelist.

Raley's highlighted 87% of Americans didn't meet recommended intakes of daily fruit consumption, and hoped to challenge a misconception that fruits and vegetables were more expensive than other foods.

"With a majority of Raley’s stores in or near America’s Farm to Fork capital, providing free fruit to children is a unique opportunity to educate the next generation of consumers, one piece of fruit at a time," the Sacramento, California-based company said.

According to website Naturalsociety.com, one Kroger supermarket store in Greenville, Ohio has a similar free fruit for kids initiative.

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