Staff Reports | Business & Commerce
Blue Zones Project Scottsdale is announcing Zata Mediterranean Market has been officially designated as the first Blue Zones grocery store in Arizona.
Found at 11291 E. Via Linda, Zata earned the recognition by implementing a series of proven best practices aimed at enhancing community well-being and promoting healthier lifestyles, according to a press release.
To achieve this milestone, Zata Mediterranean Market introduced numerous changes to support its customers’ health, including:
- Eliminating sugar-sweetened beverages from checkout lanes
- Creating a designated Blue Zones checkout lane with healthy grab-and-go snacks
- Becoming an authorized SNAP and WIC retail food store
- Placing large, blue-arrow floor decals to direct shoppers toward the produce department
- Installing signage to highlight fresh produce and locally sourced breads
- Creating a designated water and sugar-free cooler and installing signage to promote
- Sharing healthy recipes with customers
“We know that many of our customers are shopping for healthier options,” said Vic Malkon, co-owner of Zata Mediterranean Market. We wanted to take a leading role in helping them achieve their healthy lifestyle goals. Becoming Blue Zones approved, highlights the many ways we’ve been doing just that.”
Kris Bio, organization & well-being coordinator for Blue Zones Project, echoed a similar sentiment.
“Grocery stores play a pivotal role in supporting community health,” he said. “We applaud Vic, his wife Sevan, and Zata Mediterranean Market for leading the way for making healthy choices easier for their customers.”
Rooted in research from National Geographic Fellow and best-selling author Dan Buettner. Blue Zones Project is a community-led well-being initiative based on the lifestyles of the world’s longest-lived people.
Blue Zones Project Scottsdale launched in March 2022 through a collaboration with HonorHealth, The Cigna Group, and Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona.
