KTA Waimea knows how to celebrate

WAIMEA — Employees pulled out all the stops for shoppers on Saturday, with more than 10 sample and demo tables, a face painting booth and live music as part of Customer Appreciation Day. Staff and management were recognized later that morning in a special ceremony at the North Hawaii location naming it the first Blue Zones Project Approved grocery store in the state.

To complete the certification process, the store added a Blue Zones checkout lane, signage to highlight locally grown produce, two new parking signs in front of stalls farthest from the store to encourage more physical activity, healthy grab-and-go snacks, half sandwiches in the deli, readily available recipes inspired by Blue Zones Project and limited sugar-sweetened beverages in checkout lanes.

The grocery store was one of the first businesses to embrace the Blue Zones Project North Hawaii program after its official launch in October 2015. In a special checkout lane added late last year, candy and sodas were replaced with fresh fruits, granola bars and water alternatives.

Carol Ignacio, Blue Zones Project Community Program Manager – Hawaii Island, led the ceremony congratulating staff for their efforts.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to be selected as the first grocery store in Hawaii,” said Colin Miura, KTA Waimea’s general manager, who spearheaded the effort. “We understand and support the need to focus on the health and well-being of our friends and family in our community. I want you to know that every time I go to grab a snack or not go exercise, I hear from the Blue Zones staff as a conscience.”

KTA Super Stores CEO Barry Taniguchi, COO Toby Taniguchi and Vice President of Store Operations Richard Chinen attended the event.