How Three Jacksonville Grocery Stores are Improving Access to Fresh, Nutritious Food with Blue Zones Project Approval

By Nonjabulo Mlangeni

Now in its third year, Blue Zones Project Jacksonville, a community well-being initiative, has partnered with three Winn-Dixie grocery stores to improve resident access to fresh, nutritious food.

Now in its third year, Blue Zones Project Jacksonville, a community well-being initiative, has partnered with three Winn-Dixie grocery stores to improve resident access to fresh, nutritious food. Share on X

This fall, the journey culminated in all three grocers earning a Blue Zones Project Approved™ designation. This title is given to businesses that implement best practices known to make healthy choices easier for patrons and staff.

@winndixie To the ones who made every year possible…YOU! #WD100 ♬ original sound – Winn-Dixie

The timing of this achievement coincided with Winn-Dixie’s 100th anniversary, and both milestones were celebrated at each approved store location.

Through a statement on its social media page, the chain remarked that Blue Zones Project approval “highlights Winn-Dixie’s commitment to making healthier choices easier and more accessible across Jacksonville.”

Blue Zones Project is a community-led initiative that transforms the environments where people spend the most time in order to make healthy choices more convenient. Share on X

Blue Zones Project is a community-led initiative that transforms the environments where people spend the most time in order to make healthy choices more convenient. Research shows that these spaces—where we live, work, learn, and play—have more of an influence on our health than genetics do.

Research shows that these spaces—where we live, work, learn, and play—have more of an influence on our health than genetics do. Share on X

Grocery stores are especially well-positioned to encourage healthier habits and have a range of strategies at their disposal. Those that achieve Blue Zones Project approval often reinforce health-conscious messaging, leverage promotions to make healthy food more affordable, and adopt layout changes to highlight fresh produce.

Those that achieve Blue Zones Project approval often reinforce health-conscious messaging, leverage promotions to make healthy food more affordable, and adopt layout changes to highlight fresh produce. Share on X

The approved Winn-Dixie locations can be found at 5647 Roosevelt Boulevard, 8560 Argyle Forest Boulevard, and 5210 Norwood Avenue. Patrons now have access to Blue Zones Project Approved recipe cards, as well as dedicated checkout lanes stocked with nuts and fruit instead of the usual processed snacks.

Patrons now have access to Blue Zones Project Approved recipe cards, as well as dedicated checkout lanes stocked with nuts and fruit instead of the usual processed snacks. Share on X

As they browse the aisles, shoppers are met with signage that highlights nutritious options and reminds them to increase their water intake. Outside, they can make use of Blue Zones parking spaces, which are positioned further from the store to encourage patrons to walk more.

In the future, each of the approved stores plan to increase their community engagement through activities like scavenger hunts and offerings like free fruit stands for children.

In the future, each of the approved stores plan to increase their community engagement through activities like scavenger hunts and offerings like free fruit stands for children. Share on X

This is just one arm of a larger effort to leverage public-private partnerships to improve the well-being and longevity of Jacksonville residents. Since 2022, workplaces, restaurants, schools, and faith-based institutions have joined forces with health and community leaders, taking collective action to make Blue Zones Project Jacksonville a success.

Since 2022, workplaces, restaurants, schools, and faith-based institutions have joined forces with health and community leaders, taking collective action to make Blue Zones Project Jacksonville a success. Share on X

“I’m proud of my city for aligning on this big vision to make Jacksonville a better place for everyone to live, work, learn, pray, and play,” said Nicole Hamm, the project’s Executive Director. “I’m excited to be doing this inspired, important work: collaborating alongside many community leaders to bring positive change and improved well-being to the city.”

“I'm proud of my city for aligning on this big vision to make Jacksonville a better place for everyone to live, work, learn, pray, and play,” said Nicole Hamm, the project’s Executive Director. Share on X

Project sponsors include Baptist Health, the City of Jacksonville, Community First Credit Union, the Jacksonville Jaguars, Mayo Clinic, UF Health, United Way of Northeast Florida, Brooks Rehabilitation, Florida Blue, and the Jessie Ball duPont Fund.

Nonjabulo Mlangeni is a writer, researcher, and editor based in Los Angeles, California. She focuses on health, equity, and creative nonfiction.