Every January, millions of Americans make a vow to eat healthier. Shoppers looking for healthier food choices can now rely on Arizona’s hometown grocer for help.

    This month, Bashas’ Supermarkets will be the first grocery chain in the state to introduce a comprehensive nutrition program for customers. Bashas’ new Eat Smart program consists of:   

• Colorful nutrition shelf tags in every aisle of the store that identify whether a food is a “healthier option,” is “heart healthy,” has “low sodium,” is “calcium rich,” has “reduced sugar” or is an “immune booster”;

    • A free Eat Smart newsletter, featuring nutritional foods and recipes;

    • Free Eat Smart nutritional cards, with healthy eating tips and shopping lists;

    • Free monthly Eat Smart healthy shopping tours and special events at Bashas’ stores, beginning in February; and

    • A yearlong, designated Eat Smart end cap display in stores, featuring healthy products.

    To celebrate the debut of the Eat Smart program, Arizona residents are invited to participate in Bashas’ “Healthy Kitchen Makeover” contest. Adults 18 years of age or older are invited to submit photos of their refrigerator, freezer and/or kitchen pantry, along with a 200-word-or-less essay explaining why they need a healthy food makeover. Up to three lucky winners will be selected to receive a $500 gift card from Bashas’, which will be used as part of a one-on-one healthy food consultation with Bashas’ registered dietician.

    E-mail your photos and essay to eatsmart@bashas.com or mail printed photos and a write-up to “Bashas’ Healthy Kitchen Makeover” Contest, Attn: Public Relations Dept., P.O. Box 488, Chandler, Ariz., 85244.” Entries must be received by Sunday, March 1. Winners will be announced in mid-March.

    For morel information about Bashas’, including contest rules for the “Healthy Kitchen Makeover,” visit www.bashas.com.