Andronico’s will launch FitMarket, a new healthy living community program, in its five Bay Area stores with a kick-off event Aug. 22 at its store on Shattuck Ave. in Berkeley, CA.

The day will include fit foodie tours, on-hand health coaches, outdoor fitness classes with local studios, in-store cooking demos and a barbecue fundraiser for the YMCA of Berkeley. The store-sponsored fitness classes, aimed at the entire community, will take place in the store’s parking lot starting at 9.30 a.m.

FitMarket is the independent grocer’s innovative new health and wellness program for its customer and employee communities with the mission to “bring healthy back” into people’s lifestyles by offering health coaching, nutrition and fitness guidance from leading professionals.

“We’re on a mission to ‘bring healthy back’ into our community with fun and accessible educational health coaching tips from leaders in their fields,” Suzy Monford, chief executive officer of Andronico’s, said in a press release. “Andronico’s FitMarket values are rooted in creating balance between how we shop, cook, eat, exercise and re-charge. To that end, look for well-rounded guidance from respected health coaches, nutritionists, food writers, chefs and fitness professionals throughout the store and on our website.”

Supporters of the program include author and activist Michael Pollan and the Bauman College of Holistic Nutrition based in Berkeley, whose works will provide healthy eating and living tips to be used on signage around the store aimed at educating and inspiring customers to make healthy choices as they shop.

Monford, a certified holistic health coach from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, has led the team in curating educational and fun health and fitness tips that are to be posted throughout the stores.

Partners for the FitMarket launch event and the new employee “FitBank” corporate wellness program that will incentivize employees to exercise regularly, include the Berkeley YMCA, which will host children’s fitness classes throughout the morning; Berkeley yoga studio Yogakula, with 30-minute family yoga classes; and Orange Theory Fitness with Fitness Power Workouts. Books Inc. will be on hand selling recipe, health and fitness books, and Road Runner Sports will be selling discounted fitness gear.

“This is a program aimed at supporting our community, which is why we have reached out to local partners,” Bridget Kwok, director of marketing for Andronico’s, added in the press release. “Our goal is that FitMarket events will become a place for community members to support one another in their fit living efforts.”

The outdoor barbecue at the event will feature $5 plates including hotdogs donated by Aidell’s, a green salad, a slice of watermelon and a beverage. Proceeds from the BBQ will go back to the Berkeley YMCA.

As a former member of the YMCA’s executive board in her native Texas, Monford is pleased to be able to work closely with the organization in Berkeley.

“We’ve partnered with the Berkeley YMCA for this event and going forward,” said Monford. “We’ll be looking for ways to support them in their own mission including more fundraisers in their honor, feeding kids during their youth programs and helping them reach new members through our customer base. We’re proud of our Berkeley roots and aim to innovate and revolutionize the way fitness and health is seen in grocery stores and we are going to start right here in Berkeley.”