Here’s a round-up of highlights for June 2016:
Restaurants
Congratulations to the newest Blue Zones Project Approved™ restaurant, Taco Heads! Find a complete list of Approved restaurants here, and view the Restaurant Guide to make the healthy choice the tasty choice when dining out.
Watch the latest restaurant video featuring Fixture Kitchen & Social Lounge and Fort Worth Chef Ben Merritt.
Schools
Congratulations to Alice Carlson Applied Learning Center, now a Blue Zones Project Approved school! School’s out for summer, but that doesn’t mean students have to stop Moving Naturally. Click here to watch how Timberview Middle School students celebrated their Approval with a dance party.
Neighborhoods
Last month, Blue Zones Project hosted community kick-offs in different neighborhoods throughout the city. Thank you to all who participated, including Council Members Ann Zadeh, Kelly Allen Gray, Sal Espino, and Mayor Betsy Price. Click here for a complete re-cap of the Diamond Hill, Northside, Riverside, and District 8 events.
Participating Organizations
Organizations across Fort Worth are encouraging healthy habits for their members. Congratulations to Lena Pope Home and Cancer Care Services on becoming Blue Zones Project Participating Organizations!
Grocery
Approved grocery store Carnival (located at 102 NW 28th Street) participated in several of the Blue Zones Project Community Kick-Off events and highlighted their best practices. They also provided high-quality produce for attendees such as delicious Bartlett pears, navel oranges, bananas, and apples. Be on the lookout for more community events featuring our grocery retailer partners.
Photo: Blue Zones Project Worksite Coordinator, Margot Pape provides free fruit thanks to Carnival.
Worksites
Many businesses are currently working to become Approved worksites. With approximately 2,000 employees, Tarrant County is working toward becoming a Blue Zones Project Approved worksite. They kicked off their efforts at their employee appreciation event on the lawn of the main office.
TTI kicked off their worksite Approval process with two health fairs and XTO Energy is encouraging healthy habits with cooking demonstrations and even yoga classes. During a recent Cooking Demonstration with Chef Barb, one attendee was hesitant to try hummus for the first time. She was quite surprised upon tasting it and even asked for more!
Built Environment
Food Policy
On May 24, City Council approved the amendment to the ordinance that will allow for the sale of fresh, whole, uncut produce from pushcarts. Produce carts are allowed to sell in residential zoning districts for nonresidential purposes such as schools and churches, with permission from the property owner. If more than 75 percent of the goods being sold is produce, the health permit fee is waived. Establishing a permit program for produce cart vendors should increase small business opportunities and help combat food deserts. These changes support the Blue Zones Project initiative to improve the food environment for all Fort Worth residents.
Thanks to Wyndie Turpen, Interim Superintendent of Code Compliance/Consumer Health, and Brandon Bennett, Director of Code Compliance, for their help in this initiative.
Photo: Blue Zones Project Public Affairs Manager, Brandy O'Quinn at City Council