Foodland Expands Number of Blue Zones Stores in Hawai‘i

Foodland Farms Mauna Lani. Courtesy photo.

Foodland continues its commitment to providing healthy choices for the people of Hawai‘i by expanding the number of Blue Zones Project Approved grocery stores across the state from six to 11 locations.

In partnership with the Hawai‘i Medical Service Association (HMSA), Foodland is one step closer to achieving Blue Zones Project approval for all 33 locations statewide.

Foodland, Hawai‘i’s largest locally owned and operated grocery store chain, celebrated these five Blue Zones Project-approved stores on Hawaii Island and in Central Maui last week during Blue Zones Project approval ceremonies.

The locations included Foodland Farms Mauna Lani and Sack N Save in Kona on Hawai‘i Island and on Maui, Foodland Kehalani and Sack N Save in Wailuku, and Foodland in Kahului.

“We’re pleased that since we implemented Blue Zones Project in these stores, our produce sales have risen 8% and our sales of natural items are up by 18%,” said Jenai Wall, chairman and chief executive officer of Foodland Super Market Ltd. “Not only are we encouraging our customers to choose healthy options, but our bottom line has increased, which was an added bonus for us!”

HMSA brought the Blue Zones Project initiative to Hawai‘i to create a healthier, happier Hawai‘i. The initiative works within communities nationwide to make the healthy choice the easy choice in the places we live, work and play.

Foodland, for example, began labeling its healthy merchandise and promoting fresh, local produce. Since then, stores have already received an increase in sales and positive feedback from customers.

“Foodland has been a tremendous partner from the very early days of our Blue Zones Project work,” said Elisa Yadao, senior vice president and chief communications and community engagement officer at HMSA. “From its corporate offices to individual supermarkets, Foodland brings Blue Zones to life for its ohana, employees and communities across the state. We welcome the newest Foodland stores to our Blue Zones communities and look forward to working together to make healthy choices easy for Hawai‘i families.”

Foodland opened its first location in Honolulu in 1948. Nearly 70 years later, there are 33 Foodland and Sack N Save locations statewide with more than 2,500 employees committed to providing an outstanding grocery shopping experience. These grocery stores have achieved Blue Zones Project Approved status by successfully completing the Blue Zones Project grocery store pledge that includes the following:

• Each store created a Blue Zones Project checkout lane, which required an overhaul of one existing checkout lane. The converted lane replaced candy and soda with fresh fruits, granola bars, water and other healthy options.
• The store layout is designed to display healthy options and fresh produce near the front entrance.
• Signs throughout the stores identify Blue Zones Project foods and healthy choices.
• The stores offer recipes from their in-house chef to help customers plan and prepare healthy meals.
• Cross-merchandising of grab-and-go fruits and veggies next to sandwiches promote healthy combinations over unhealthy ones.

To learn more about Blue Zones Project – Hawai‘i or to get involved, email [email protected] or visit Hawaii.bluezonesproject.com.

About Blue Zones Project
Blue Zones Project® is a community-led well-being improvement initiative designed to make healthy choices easier through permanent changes to a city’s environment, policy, and social networks. Established in 2010, Blue Zones Project is inspired by Dan Buettner, a National Geographic Fellow and New York Times best-selling author who identified five regions of the world—or Blue Zones®—with the highest concentration of people living to 100 years or older. Blue Zones Project incorporates Buettner’s findings and works with cities to implement policies and programs that will move a community toward optimal health and well-being. Currently, 42 communities in nine states have joined Blue Zones Project, impacting more than 3.3 million Americans nationwide. The movement includes three beach cities in California; 15 cities in Iowa; Albert Lea, Minnesota; the city of Fort Worth; and communities in Southwest Florida, Hawai‘i, Oklahoma, Oregon and Wisconsin. Blue Zones Project is a division of Sharecare. For more information, visit bluezonesproject.com.