CNN Healthy Eater Foursquare Badge

It is no secret that Americans are some of the most unhealthy eaters on the planet.  CNN and Foursquare have teamed up for the first time since their World Cup Badge Promotion to try and change that.  On Sunday Sept. 26th, CNN is kicking off a week long series dedicated to promoting healthy eating called “Eatocracy: Mind, Body, and Wallet“.  In conjunction with the CNN Newsroom series they are rolling out a new “Healthy Eater“ badge for Foursquare users to unlock.  A primary feature on the new series is going to be focused on explaining the benefits of shopping for healthy food items and why it is important to support local farmers at neighborhood farmers markets.

Earning the badge will require a user to follow CNN on Foursquare and will be eligible starting on Sunday, September 26th.  Any venue with a category type of “Farmer’s Market” will count and only one visit will be needed to unlock the badge.  How long the badge will remain active in the system is unknown at this time.

CNN has already left one tip at an Atlanta area farmers market location and hopefully we will see more tips in the metro area from them in the near future:

• Peachtree Road Farmers Market – 2744 Peachtree Road NW

Some other popular metro Atlanta area farmers markets you should visit:

• Your Dekalb Farmers Market – 3000 E Ponce De Leon Ave
• Harry’s Farmers Market (Marietta) – 70 Powers Ferry Rd SE
• Harry’s Farmers Market (Alpharetta) – 1180 Upper Hembree Rd
• East Atlanta Village Farmers Market – 1231 Glenwood Ave SE
• Buford Highway Farmers Market – 5600 Buford Hwy
• Sandy Springs Farmers Market – 235 Sandy Springs Cir NE
• Morningside Farmers Market – 1393 N. Highland Ave

This is not the first time Foursquare has been involved in a socially responsible campaign.  Just recently, they teamed up with MTV to help promote STD testing.  Personally, I love the idea of using the platform for social good and hope it is something that the Foursquare folks continue to pursue.

Please share in the comments other metro Atlanta farmers markets you enjoy shopping at in order to assist others in your area find some new places to start shopping for their grocery needs.

UPDATE 10/4: According to this video from CNN, to unlock the badge you will now need to make 2 visits to a Farmers Market and will only be available for 3 more weeks.

Post by: Chad Elkins – Find Chad on Twitter and Foursquare