Living with diabetes doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice eating foods you love, and Farm Fresh is offering free in-store educational sessions to help prove it.

The company hopes its “Eating Healthy With Diabetes” store tours will help individuals with diabetes and their families learn how to make better food choices and identify healthier options.

Led by registered dietitians and specially trained pharmacists, each two-hour session includes information, tips and a shopping trip through the store to discuss healthier options for meals and snacks for those living with diabetes.

The program comes to Suffolk March 25, when a dietitian will be available at the 1401 North Main St. store at 6 p.m.

According to the American Diabetes Association and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 25 million people in the U.S. are affected by diabetes, with 18.8 million already diagnosed and an estimated 7 million unaware they have the disease.

Suffolk and the rest of Western Tidewater have an especially large problem with diabetes, coming in above the state average for the rate of the disease among the general population. Suffolk also is ahead of Virginia’s rate for obesity.

For more information about the “Eating Healthy With Diabetes” tour, visit www.farmfreshsupermarkets.com/pharmacy.html or call 1-800-783-0458.

In addition to these tours, Farm Fresh offers customers a variety of year-round tools through its “Living Healthy With My Diabetes” program, including personalized health assessments, blood screenings and educational resources.

Customers interested in this program are encouraged to speak with their local Farm Fresh pharmacist.