Recent posts by Blue Zones Project - Monterey County
3 min read
BZPMC: Health & Well-being Resources | RECURSOS DE SALUD Y BIENESTAR
Topics: Monterey County
47 min read
What's Happening In Our BZP Food Sector?
May 2025
Samson Cafe Celebrates Becoming a Blue Zones Project Approved Restaurant
Samson Cafe at Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey celebrated becoming a Blue Zones Project Approved Restaurant with a day full of fun activities and delicious food. MIIS held a Plant-Based Festival on April 18 as part of their Earth Week celebrations. The cafe’s approval was celebrated with a coconut chia pudding demo, samples of plant-based foods, and a happy hour for students and staff. We are thrilled to have Samson Cafe as part of the family of Blue Zones Project approved organizations.
El Mercado at Hartnell College Joins the Blue Zones Movement
We’re thrilled to officially welcome El Mercado, Hartnell College’s Basic Needs Center, as a Blue Zones Project Inspired Organization! More than a pantry, El Mercado is a hub of compassion and support—offering free access to healthy food, personal care items, and essentials in a dignified, student-centered space. Their commitment to well-being shines through dedicated Blue Zones sections, healthy shelf talkers, plant-based recipe cards, and even a cooking demo that brought longevity-friendly meals to life. Congratulations to the El Mercado team for setting a new standard in student support and food access!
Your restaurant or grocery store can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ !
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April 2025
La Tortuga Becomes a Blue Zones Project Approved Restaurant
La Tortuga became a Blue Zones Project Approved Restaurant in March, becoming the 61st approved restaurant in Monterey County and 5th in Seaside. La Tortuga adopted several best practices as part of their approval process, including removing salt shakers from tables, making complimentary chips and salsa by request only, and adding three Blue Zones Inspired entrees to the menu. Congratulations, La Tortuga!
Restaurant Month in Monterey County
March is National Nutrition Month, and with that, we celebrated Blue Zones Project Approved Restaurants with events across the county throughout the month. “Taste the blue zones” events were held at Main Street Bakery, El Colibri, and La Casa del Sazon in Salinas and East Village Cafe in Monterey. A special Blue Zones bites event with movement activities was held at our BZP Inspired Market, La Cocina in King City. Community members were also invited to enjoy a Blue Zones Inspired dish at any of the approved restaurants and tag Blue Zones Project Monterey County’s social media pages for a chance to win a prize. Thank you to all who participated!
Blue Zones Inspired Takeout Guide Goes Live
Blue Zones Project Monterey County has developed a Blue Zones Inspired Takeout Guide featuring Blue Zones Project Approved Restaurants. It serves as a quick reference guide to Blue Zones Inspired catering and takeout options throughout the county in efforts to promote healthy choices for work meetings, staff lunches, or a meal to-go. Check out the guide here: https://bit.ly/BZTakeoutGuide
Gonzales Community Garden Day
Community garden stakeholders, BZPMC, The Resource Conservation District of Monterey County, Save the Whales, and City of Gonzales hosted a Community Garden Day. Community members helped de-weed, plant seeds, and water the garden. It was a family friendly event, with kids joining in on tasks and the little ones painting rocks. At the end of the event, community members were able to harvest produce to take home.
Your restaurant or grocery store can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ !
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March 2025
Bringing Healthy Cooking to the Community!
February was full of hands-on learning and delicious plant-based dishes! OnFebruary 11, we hosted a Heart Health Month cooking demo at El Gabilan Library, where attendees got to sample our vibrant pink hummus and build a nutritious snack board. The event was a great success, and our partnership with the library was even featured in a Salinas Californian article celebrating their five-year anniversary!Read more here.
Later in the month, on February 21, we teamed up with Hartnell College’s Basic Needs Center, "El Mercado," for an interactive cooking demo with students. Over 20 participants joined us to learn how to make a hearty plant-based chili with corn while also exploring ways to shop for healthier ingredients on a budget. As part of our ongoing collaboration, we also installed shelf talkers to highlight Blue Zones-approved products and helped organize an end-cap section to reflect our nutrition guidelines. Signage and recipe cards are on the way, and once installed, El Mercado will officially be recognized as a Blue Zones Inspired Organization!
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We love bringing these cooking demos to the community — stay tuned for more opportunities to learn, taste, and get inspired!
Your restaurant or grocery store can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ !
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February 2025
Manasiri’s Crepes Becomes a Blue Zones Project Approved Restaurant
We are thrilled to have Manasiri’s Crepes in Downtown Monterey join the community of Blue Zones Project Approved Restaurants. Their Blue Zones Inspired dishes include the Avocado Toast, House Salad, Greek Salad, and Mary’s bagel, a flavorful bagel sandwich with hummus, pesto, spinach, tomato, and za’atar seasoning. Stay tuned for an upcoming approval celebration to highlight the great work being done at Manasiri’s Crepes.
Your restaurant or grocery store can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ !
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January 2025
El Rancho Market Becomes a Blue Zones Project Approved Grocery Store
El Rancho Market in Marina officially earned their approval status on December 3, 2024. El Rancho Market has a Blue Zones Inspired Healthy Endcap which features a variety of plant-based foods, recipes, and QR codes to the BZPMC Inspired cookbook. Blue Zones foods and healthy beverage options are called out with shelf talkers, and nutritious options in the checkout lane are highlighted. Many thanks to the staff at El Rancho Market who were open to working with BZPMC to create a healthier chopping environment for their customers.
Nations Market Becomes a Blue Zones Project Approved Grocery Store
Nations Market in Seaside completed the Market Makeover process in December 2024. A produce stand was added to allow for improved produce options, healthy items are called out with shelf talkers, and nutrition resources are shared in the market. In early December 2024, healthy samples of new items added to the market were offered. Customers enjoyed the flavored sparkling water and were excited to see more produce in the market. Congratulations, Nations Market!
Samson Café at Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey Becomes a Blue Zones Project Approved Restaurant
Samson Café at MIIS officially became a Blue Zones Project Approved Restaurant on December 10, 2024. Samson Café offers delicious and creative Blue Zones Inspired Dishes on both their lunch and grab and go menus. Many thanks to MA student Leilani who spearheaded these efforts, as well as the Ardent Culinaire team, who brought their passion for nutrition, sustainability, and well-being into this project. Congratulations, Samson Café, on this incredible accomplishment!
Your restaurant or grocery store can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ !
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December 2024
BZP Restaurant Mixer
We were thrilled to host our First Annual Blue Zones Project Restaurant Mixer, bringing together restaurant owners and staff from restaurants across Monterey County. The event fostered a sense of community, encouraged knowledge sharing, and strengthened our collective sustainability efforts. Together, we discussed favorite Blue Zones-inspired dishes, ways we can support our partners, and long-term goals for healthier dining.
A big thank you to La Plaza Bakery, La Casa del Sazon, Hestia, Bloom Coffee Shop, and The Steinbeck House Restaurant for joining us and sharing your insights. Your participation made this inaugural event a success.
Googie Grill Celebrates their Blue Zones Project Restaurant Approval
Googie Grill in Seaside celebrated their restaurant approval with tabling and a raffle at the restaurant during lunch. A table with Blue Zones Project resources was on display all week. Googie Grill offers delicious plant-based dishes on their breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus. Congratulations to Googie Grill on this amazing accomplishment!
Soledad Cooking Demo: Plant-Based Pozole
We hosted a cooking demonstration at the Soledad Community Center, featuring a delicious plant-based pozole made with oyster mushrooms. Attendees learned how to prepare this healthier twist on a classic dish, perfect for enjoying with family and friends.
Salinas Cooking Demo: Tofu Breakfast Scramble
We teamed up with the Salinas Public Libraries for a cooking demonstration at the Cesar Chavez Library. Led by our volunteer Marie Romero, attendees learned how to make a tasty and nutritious tofu breakfast scramble sandwich—a perfect way to start the day.
Celebrating Mangia - Eat on Main
We celebrated Mangia - Eat on Main, an Italian restaurant in Salinas, for becoming the 29th Blue Zones Project-approved restaurant in the city! Mangia’s commitment to offering healthier, delicious options and promoting community well-being is an inspiration.
Your restaurant or grocery store can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ !
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November 2024
Ohana Café Celebrates their Blue Zones Project Restaurant Approval
Ohana Café in Monterey celebrated their restaurant approval along with Ohana's worksite approval on October 1st with celebrations among the food service staff, followed by an all-staff meeting. Many thanks to the dedicated team members at Ohana who work together to support the well-being of their staff, patients, and visitors.
East Village Cafe celebrates their Blue Zones Project Restaurant Approval
East Village Cafe in Monterey celebrated their accomplishment with a Blue Zones Project takeover of the Global Villagers Community monthly gathering. Attendees enjoyed delicious food among great company while participating in Power 9 themed activities and a fun raffle. Over fifty people engaged with Blue Zones Project during the exciting celebrations.
The Creperie Cafe Celebrated their Blue Zones Project Restaurant Approval
The Creperie Cafe in Seaside celebrated their restaurant approval on October 26th with BZP tabling, samples of the Blue Zones Inspired Veggie Crepe, and a raffle. Congratulations to The Creperie Cafe on their accomplishment.
MPUSD Preschool Parent Group Cooking Class
Blue Zones Project led an interactive cooking class for the preschool parent group at the Seaside Child Development Center. Parents learned about Blue Zones Project then prepared applesauce overnight oats with their children to take home. Children enjoyed the activity of making the food and, of course, getting to taste it.
Taco Tuesday at La Casa Del Sazon 3
La Casa Del Sazon 3 in Monterey held a Taco Tuesday event where they offered free tacos to college students. The taco plate included a flavorful Blue Zones Inspired potato taco with tomatoes and onion. This event was hugely successful, with over 100 college students attending. Many students were learning about Blue Zones Project and visiting the restaurant for the first time. Thanks to the owner and staff at La Casa Del Sazon for giving back to the community in this way!
Sherwood Elementary School Grocery Tour
In collaboration with La Princesa Market Alisal and Sherwood Elementary School, we organized a grocery walking tour for parents, showcasing what an approved grocery store looks like. We had strong participation, and many parents asked insightful questions. With the school and market just around the corner from each other, it was an excellent opportunity to connect families to the store and highlight the fantastic California-grown produce available to them.
Your restaurant or grocery store can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ !
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October 2024
East Village Cafe becomes a Blue Zones Approved Restaurant!
East Village Cafe officially became a Blue Zones Approved Restaurant on September 27th, 2024. This is the 21st Blue Zones Approved Restaurant in the Peninsula Cities and 56th in Monterey County. Try the nourishing and hearty Blue Zones Inspired overnight oats or the savory veggie samosas. Visit East Village Café at 498 Washington St., Monterey CA 93940.
El Gabilan Cooking Demo
Thank you to La Casa del Sazon for leading our cooking demo on September 17 at the El Gabilan Library! Attendees learned how to make a delicious Tostada Monarca, featuring beans, cabbage, avocado, and a sweet & spicy salsa with diced chayote and carrots. Don’t miss our next demo at the Cesar Chavez Library in Salinas on Wednesday, November 6, at 4 PM, located at 615 Williams Rd. See you there!
Salinas Certification Celebrations
We want to thank our participating BZP Approved Restaurants: La Casa del Sazon, Portobello's on Main, El Colibri Restaurant & Deli, Steinbeck House Restaurant and La Plaza Bakery for the delicious bites & Scheid Vineyard for providing some great wine to celebrate at our Awards Night. Likewise, big shoutout to Sabor Latin Fusion, R Truck, El Barrio, El Taquero and CalWater for providing blue zones inspired and healthy dishes and drinks at our community celebration!
Your restaurant or grocery store can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ !
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September 2024
The Creperie Cafe is a Blue Zones Approved Restaurant!
The Creperie Café officially became a Blue Zones Approved Restaurant on August 28th, 2024. This is the 4th Blue Zones Approved restaurant in Seaside and 20th in the Peninsula Cities. The menu includes five delicious Blue Zones Inspired crepes, including The Mediterranean and Sicilian Caponata crepes. Come for a delicious plant-based crepe and stay to play a board game, browse the lending library or enjoy an open mic night. Visit The Creperie Café at 1123 Fremont Blvd, Seaside, CA 93955.
La Cocina Approval Celebration
La Cocina Market in King City celebrated becoming the first BZP-Inspired Market with a ribbon cutting with KC Chamber of Commerce, King City Mayor, Supervisor Chris Lopez. There were free BZP inspired bites from all participating food vendors, music, baile folklorico, and over 100 community came and tried the delicious and healthy dishes.
Your restaurant or grocery store can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ !
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August 2024
La Preciosa Family Supermarket is officially a Blue Zones Approved Grocery Store!
La Preciosa Family Supermarket officially became a Blue Zones Approved Grocery Store in July. This is the first Blue Zones Approved Grocery Store in Seaside and third in the Peninsula Cities. The store has labeled Blue Zones food options throughout the aisles, highlighted their colorful fresh produce department, and created a healthy checkout counter. Next time you are in seaside, stop by La Preciosa Family Supermarket for a healthy choice.
Your restaurant or grocery store can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ !
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July 2024
La Preciosa Family Supermarket Grocery Store Tour and Healthy Samples
La Preciosa Family Supermarket in Seaside held a grocery store tour led by a Registered Dietitian on June 26, 2024. Attendees learned about tips for healthy eating on a budget in an interactive tour of the store. Customers who were not able to join the tour had the chance to engage with BZP staff and sample a refreshing fruit and herb infused water and flavorful pineapple with lime and mint. BZP resources and nutrition handouts were offered. La Preciosa Family Supermarket is in the process of becoming the first Blue Zones approved grocery store in Seaside. Check out our events page for more “Eat Wisely” events.
Your restaurant or grocery store can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ !
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June 2024
Cooking Demos
Last month our Food Team helped support five (5) cooking demos in Monterey County. Three in the peninsula cities, one in partnership with the Marina High School Culinary Arts class, another one in Monterey with DLAMP and one for the remote staff of Cypress Healthcare Partners. They made some delicious and easy plant-based recipes for all to try and be inspired to make at home. Likewise in south county there were two cooking demos, one in partnership with Sun Streets Centers for their teen moms and one in partnership with Alliance on Aging for their seniors.
Stay tune for our upcoming Cooking Demo in June taking place on 6/26 at the Cesar Chavez Library in Salinas. BZP will also be hosting a Grocery Store Tour in Seaside at La Preciosa Market on 6/26. Visit our Eventbrite for details and registration.
Your restaurant or grocery store can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ !
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May 2024
Ohana Café restaurant approval
Ohana Café at the Ohana Center for Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health became a Blue Zones Approved restaurant on 4/1/24 by achieving 55 points. Ohana Café offers nourishing dishes to patients, staff, and visitors with a menu that includes plant-based options. Congratulations to Ohana Café on this accomplishment!
Happy Girl Kitchen Co. restaurant approval
Happy Girl Kitchen Co. achieved their Blue Zones Restaurant Approval status on 4/19/24 with an impressive 59 out of 44 points. Happy Girl Kitchen Co. is the second Blue Zones Approved restaurant in Pacific Grove. Their menu features flavorful and creative dishes made from scratch using local, organic ingredients. Congratulations to Happy Girl Kitchen Co.!
Salinas Project Certification Site Visit
From April 22nd to 25th, we welcomed members of our central team to Salinas for a momentous occasion - our Certification Site Visit. It was an enriching experience as we showcased our Blue Zones-approved establishments. Throughout the visit, we had the pleasure of introducing our guests to a some of our Blue Zones Approved Restaurants and Grocery Stores, providing them with firsthand insight into the heart and soul of our community.
As we reflect on our recent site visit, we're reminded of the progress we've made together. With each approved restaurant and grocery store, we're building a stronger, healthier Salinas.
Your restaurant or grocery store can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ !
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April 2024
Exciting News from Sabor Latin Fusion!
We're thrilled to announce that Sabor Latin Fusion has brought back their much-loved Blue Zones-inspired tacos! Prepare your taste buds for a mouthwatering journey with two delectable options: Mushroom Al Pastor and Hawaiian BBQ Mushroom Taco.
Whether you're a taco enthusiast or looking for healthier, plant-based choices, these creations are sure to satisfy your cravings.
Available every Thursday and Friday, swing by Sabor Latin Fusion located on San Joaquin St next to the South Main CVS in Salinas. Don't miss out on the chance to savor these mouthwatering treats!
Your restaurant or grocery store can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ !
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March 2024
Earthbound Farm Stand Restaurant Approval Celebration/ Healthy Living at Earthbound Farms
Earthbound Farm Stand became a Blue Zones Approved restaurant on 1/19/2024. On February 24, 2024, they celebrated their approval with a Healthy Living at Earthbound Farms event. Activities were based on the four Blue Zone pillars: Move Naturally, Right Outlook, Eat Wisely, and Connect. Attendees enjoyed salad samples, farm walks, and connecting with others in a beautiful outdoor setting. Over 85 people from the community joined in on the festivities. Congratulations to Earthbound Farm Stand on becoming a Blue Zones Approved restaurant and their fun-filled celebration event!
Googie Grill is Officially a Blue Zones Project Approved Restaurant
We are thrilled to announce that Googie Grill is officially a Blue Zones Project Approved Restaurant! Check out Googie Grill’s breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus, which each include delicious Blue Zones Inspired dishes, marked by a blue checkmark. Visit Googie Grill at 1520 Del Monte Blvd, Seaside, CA 93955.
Heart Healthy Cooking Demo at the Monterey Public Library
Thanks to all who joined us for the Heart Healthy Cooking demo at the Monterey Public Library on February 20, 2024. In honor of American Heart Month, attendees learned about nutrition for heart health, sampled a lentil salad, and enjoyed a DIY sparkling water station with herbs and fresh fruit for flavoring. Check out our Events page for future cooking demonstrations and community events.
Your restaurant or grocery store can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ !
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February 2024
Peninsula Café at Monterey Peninsula College Approval Celebration
Peninsula Café at Monterey Peninsula College became a Blue Zones Approved restaurant in July 2023. On January 17, 2024, they celebrated their approval with a Power 9 themed bash for staff. Over 100 people attended the fun and exciting event, where there was a station for each of the Power 9 Principles, including two plant-based cooking demonstrations, a paint and sip station, an area to watch “Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones,” and more. Attendees enjoyed sampling tasty plant-based bites featuring Blue Zones Inspired dishes from the Peninsula Café and recipes from the Blue Zones Kitchen cookbook, while downshifting and spending quality time with coworkers. Congratulations to Peninsula Café of becoming a Blue Zones Approved restaurant and their fun and successful celebration event!
Your restaurant or grocery store can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ !
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January 2024
Fueling Festive Fun: YMCA Winter Camp Makes Healthy Holiday Treats with Blue Zones Project
This holiday season, the YMCA and Blue Zones Project brought joy and health together with Grinch Kabobs and Celery Reindeer. Kids delighted in assembling these nutritious and festive snacks, featuring fresh green grapes, banana slices, and strawberries for the Grinch Kabobs, and celery, sunflower seed butter, mini dark chocolate chips, and pretzels for the adorable Celery Reindeer. Promoting wellness while spreading holiday cheer - a true testament to our commitment to a healthier, happier community!
Find the easy and yummy recipes below:
Exciting News! Blue Zones Project Monterey County proudly presents its Community Cookbook!
We’re delighted to share our Blue Zones Project Monterey County Cookbook! Filled with 25 incredible recipes from our Blue Zones Project Approved Restaurants and our vibrant community. Stay tuned for the digital version—coming soon for easy access to these delicious, health-focused recipes at your fingertips!
Your restaurant or grocery store can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ !
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December 2023
Double Up Food Bucks
The launch of the Double Up Food Bucks program is now at La Princesa Market on Williams Road and E. Alisal Street in Salinas!
This nationally recognized nutrition incentive program offers a 50% discount on fresh California-grown fruits and veggies for CalFresh shoppers using their EBT cards. 🛒 In a community where 40% face food access challenges, this program is a critical resource, breaking down barriers to healthy eating. This program would mean thousands of low-income families in Monterey County are able to eat more fruits and vegetables.
Huge thanks to the California Department of Food and Agriculture for their support, bringing over $1 million to our community! To the incredible partners, Aspire Health, La Princesa, SPUR, and Blue Zones Project for making this collaboration a reality.
Let's make healthy food more affordable, support local businesses, and boost demand for California-grown produce.
Stay tuned for launches in Greenfield and King City in 2024.
Star Market is a BZP Approved Grocery Store
Star Market in Salinas has achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming Blue Zones Approved. Key best practices that were implemented include a Blue Zones Foods Endcap, Healthy Checkout Lane, and shelf talkers calling out healthier options. Star Market is the 5th Grocery Store in the Salinas Project to be Blue Zones Approved.
Your restaurant or grocery store can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ !
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November 2023
Villa Rivera Café Approval Celebration
It is with great pleasure that we celebrate Villa Rivera Café for becoming a Blue Zones Project Approved Restaurant – the 27th in our Salinas Project. Joining 48 total Blue Zones Project approved restaurants in Monterey County.
Dual Approval Celebration Schooners and Tidal Coffee
Blue Zones Project®Monterey County is proud to announce the restaurant and café approval of both Schooners and Tidal Coffee located at the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa. The Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa is also a Blue Zones Project Approved Worksite, and they have gone above any beyond with the dual approval of Schooners and Tidal.
Your restaurant or grocery store can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ !
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October 2023
Approval Celebration!
We are happy to welcome Marina Grocery Outlet to the BZP family! Marina Grocery Outlet is our 2nd Grocery approval celebration in the Peninsula Cities and our FIRST approval celebration in Marina. Thank you to co-owners Kristi Lau, Luc Allison, and their team for their early adoption and commitment to the well-being of their customers!
Celebrating Castroville's Freshest Fiesta: A Market Matchup Extravaganza!
BZPMC is delighted to announce its participation in the launch of a farmers market, which will be incorporated into the existing market at the Castroville Recreation Center (organized by North County Recreation and Park District). Commencing on October 12th, the year-round market will feature a minimum of two local growers showcasing their finest fruits and vegetables, all freshly harvested within our community.
In addition to the remarkable produce selection, we are pleased to unveil a strategic collaboration with Everyone's Harvest. This partnership and BZPMC’s financial contribution will allow the market to accept EBT/CalFresh payments and introduce a compelling $15 Market Match initiative.
This noteworthy program empowers EBT cardholders to enhance their purchasing power. By allocating $15 from their EBT card, CalFresh beneficiaries can procure a bounty of produce valued at $30, effectively doubling their investment.
Residents of North Monterey County are encouraged to mark their calendars and make the Castroville market a regular destination for acquiring fresh, locally sourced products. For those residing in other regions of our county, we encourage you to explore alternate venues where you can procure fresh produce and leverage the benefits of the Market Match program.
Castroville market takes place at the recreation center at 11261 Crane Street in Castroville, every Thursday from 2pm to 7:30pm.
Your restaurant or grocery store can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ !
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September 2023
Savoring Success at El Gabilan Library's Cooking Demo!
Chef Gerado Juarez from BZP Approved Restaurant La Cantina Brewing Company took center stage at El Gabilan Library on August 29th. With over 50 attendees, the event was a hit, as Chef Juarez demonstrated the art of crafting Tofu Al Pastor Tacos from their Blue Zones Inspired menu. The fusion of traditional Mexican flavors with a healthy twist delighted taste buds and showcased the joys of community, great food, and balanced living.
Culinary Bonds at Los Abueltios: Blue Zones Cooking Workshop
CHISPA's Los Abuelitos Senior Apartments in Salinas became a hub of culinary creativity on August 11th. Seniors united for a hands-on cooking workshop, making a remarkable Blue Zones-inspired dish: Black Bean and Mango Salad with Soy Lime Dressing. Beyond the flavors, the event highlighted the community's joint dedication to health and togetherness.
Taste of Community and Freshness: La Michoacana's Produce Tasting
Corner Store La Michoacana buzzed with local flavors on August 16th. Partnering with Alba Organics, the store offered a delightful produce tasting featuring cherry tomatoes, dino kale, cilantro, squash blossom flowers, tomatoes, carrots, and celery. The highlight? A vibrant Kale Salad that showcased the ingredients' essence in every bite. This event celebrated local produce and embodied a true taste of freshness.
Your restaurant or grocery store can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ !
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August 2023
Grocery Outlet Tour
On July 27th, Blue Zones Project Monterey County held an exciting event at the newly approved Blue Zones Project grocery store, Grocery Outlet in Marina. The participants gathered for an informative and engaging grocery store tour, designed to promote healthy and budget-friendly shopping habits.
Participants had the opportunity to explore the transformed Grocery Outlet store, experiencing firsthand the positive changes. As they navigated the aisles, they learned invaluable tips and tricks for budget shopping, making it easier to make healthier choices.
The tour wasn’t just about shopping; it was an interactive experience where attendees got to taste a mouthwatering Blue Zones inspired recipe! Join us for future grocery store tours and let’s build a thriving Blue Zones community together!
Your restaurant or grocery store can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ !
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June 2023
Cesar Chavez Cooking Demo
We had a flavor-packed adventure in June! As part of the Salinas Library’s Healthy Living Series, Blue Zones Project Monterey County organized a sizzling summer BBQ demo at Cesar Chavez Library. Attendees savored grilled corn, tomato, and avocado salad, alongside mouthwatering Portobello burgers with BBQ sauce. It was a delightful experience of plant-based cooking and a wonderful way to embrace a healthier lifestyle!
Grocery Store Approval
Grocery Outlet in Marina is now a Blue Zones Project Approved Grocery Store! Next time you visit them take a look at their Healthy Checkout Lane that now has fruit, water, and healthy snack options for you to purchase on your way out.
Your restaurant or grocery store can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ !
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May 2023
La Princesa Grocery Store Tour
At the beginning of the month, Sherwood Elementary School Parents (Walking Moai Group) were invited to attend a grocery store at La Princesa on Alisal Street which was half a mile from the school. Participants were able to see the stores transformations first hand. Other activities included reading nutrition labels together, going over MyPlate, and receiving BZP Inspired Recipes.
Mezzaluna Pasteria & Mozarella Bar Restaurant Approval Celebration
Congratulations to Mezzaluna Pasteria & Mozarella Bar for becoming the FIRST BZP Approved Restaurant in Pacific Grove! They are now offering a pasta option with freshly made with organic sprouted wheat flour. We predict your next dinner plan being at Mezzaluna.
Your restaurant can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ Restaurant!
Register your restaurant today!
April 2023
Topics: Monterey County Featured
13 min read
What's Happening In Participating Organizations?
What's Happening In Participating organizations?
March 2025
CRŪ Winery Approval Celebration
Congratulations are in order for CRŪ Winery as the first tasting room recognized as a Blue Zones Project Participating Organization in Monterey County!
This impressive acknowledgment recognizes CRŪ Winery for actively implementing lifestyle changes and environmental modifications to promote longevity and overall well-being. CRŪ Winery has partnered with the Blue Zones Project Monterey County since 2023, with a monthly hiking series through the sustainably farmed Paraiso Vineyard at the CRŪ Winery tasting room in Soledad.
As a part of the Blue Zones principle of moving naturally, CRŪ Winery will once again be teaming up with Valley Farm Management and Blue Zones Project Monterey County to offer their monthly hiking series through the sustainably farmed Paraiso Vineyard. The hikes are offered the second Sunday of each month starting on March 9th, and start and end at the CRŪ Winery tasting room in Soledad.
If you would like more information on how your organization can be a part of the movement, click the link below:
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August 2024
NEW Recognized Organization
We welcomed FUEL CYCLING to the BZP family as they celebrated their third anniversary! Fuel Cycling is an in-door boutique cycling studio that strongly believes in Blue Zones Project and BZP Power 9 by helping its staff and members make the healthy choice the easy choice.
They commemorated by hosting a fun gathering for their members by hosting small local businesses. Book your ride today and join the fun!
If you would like more information on how your organization can be a part of the movement, click the link below:
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April 2024
Thai is Fun Recognized Participating Organization Celebration
Goi was first introduced to the original Blue Zones research by watching the “Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones” Netflix documentary series. Soon after, she met the Executive Director of Blue Zones Project Monterey County and was delighted to learn that ThaiIsFun (Thai cooking class) has been promoting healthy eating, which is aligned with the Power 9 Principles of Healthy Living.
Goi began her partnership with the Blue Zones project by hosting the BZPMC Food Environment team for a Thai Cooking class in November 2023. Goi attended a BZPMC cooking demonstration in November 2023 and led a cooking demonstration for a Monterey worksite the following month.
Goi includes several plant-based recipes in her menu and accommodates vegan and vegetarian diets. In her classes, Goi encourages natural movement by leading stretching exercises before class and getting students involved in the preparation of the dishes. Thai Is Fun became a Recognized Participating Organization on March 12, 2024. The recognition was celebrated with friends, family, and BZPMC staff on March 29, 2014. Blue Zones Project Monterey County is thrilled to have Thai is Fun join the community of recognized participating organizations promoting wellbeing in our county.
If you would like more information on how your organization can be a part of the movement, click the link below:
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April 2023
We are excited to congratulate the Salinas Regional Sports Authority (The Salinas Soccer Complex) as they join our BZP family as an official BZP Recognized Organization.
We worked hand in hand to establish healthy best practices that help make healthy choices easier for their members. From establishing regular clean ups, launching walking moais, installing exercise equipment to hosting well-being activities and more!
If you would like more information on how your organization can be a part of the movement, click the link below:
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March 2023
Recognized Organizations
We are happy to welcome The Green Directive to the BZP family! The Green Directive values the Blue Zones Project movement and believes there is correlation between a better environment and the community. They are now helping create a cleaner and healthier Monterey County.
We are extremely excited to have Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District as a Recognized BZP Organization. Together we hope to encourage natural movement, outdoor experiences, and healthier environments for individuals and organizations.
If you would like more information on how your organization can be a part of the movement, click the link below:
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February 2023
Congratulation North Monterey County Recreation & Park District for becoming the fourth Participating Organization in our County Expansion project and the second Recreation & Park District in Monterey County! Thank you for leading events and providing a space for the Castroville and North Monterey County community to come together!
As well as The Parenting Connection of Monterey County for becoming the 11th BZP Participating Organization in Salinas. They are illustrating their role in serving as leaders in the community by helping make the healthy choice the easy choice for their members and sharing their passion with the community.
December 2022
Approval Celebration!
Monterey County Agricultural & Rural Life Museum (MCARLM) celebrated becoming the 1st participating organization in King City and the 22nd in Monterey County. Their approval celebration was tied with their Holiday Open House in December. MCARLM provided delicious food options at their celebration including the Nopales with Garbanzos from a Blue Zones Approved restaurant, La Plaza Bakery. MCARLM has a bike rack to encourage alternative transportation, and walking routes which allows employees to connect and move naturally on their beautiful property. Great work Monterey County Agricultural & Rural Life Museum!
Sol Treasures in King City celebrated becoming a Blue Zones Project participating organization. With the various art programs Sol Treasures is excited to connect with the community through the love of art and culture. Stay tuned on dates for the first Purpose Workshop at Sol Treasures facilitated by Blue Zones Project!
If you would like more information on how your organization can be a part of the movement, click the link below:
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November 2022
Approval Celebration!
It is with great pleasure that we celebrate Tatum’s Garden becoming a Blue Zones Project Participating Organization. Tatum’s Garden is the 10th BZP Participating Organization in Salinas!
Having Tatum’s Garden become a Participating Organization illustrates their role in serving as leaders in the community by helping make the healthy choice the easy choice for their members and sharing their passion with the community. Tatum’s Garden implemented several organization transformations that demonstrate their commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of the organization. We welcome them into our BZP family!
If you would like more information on how your organization can be a part of the movement, click the link below:
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August 2022
Approval Celebration!
We are thrilled to welcome Ventana Wildlife Society, their program participants, and all the four-legged, furry and winged-ones they care for to the Blue Zones Project family! We joined them at their end of summer party to add to the celebration! They do great community work in brining outdoor experiences and tying into health and wellbeing to everyone in the community. Congratulations Ventana Wildlife Society!
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July 2022
This month we had two celebrations for Participating Organizations: Monterey Peninsula College Student Health Services and STRENGTH Monterey.
Both are committed to providing the community with healthy choices for a longer, BETTER Life.
If you would like more information on how your organization can be a part of the movement, register today: https://montereycounty.bluezonesproject.com/organization/signup-start.
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March 2022
We are so happy to recognize CHISPA as a Blue Zones Project Participating Organization! CHISPA does a lot to help low-income families in Monterey Count but they are also dedicated in bringing a healthier work environment to their staff and those around them. Such actions include encouraging stretches, walking breaks, and volunteer opportunities, just to name a few. We are excited to have them join our BZP family and look forward to many future partnerships!
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October 2021
Topics: Monterey County
182 min read
BZP Events & Volunteering
May Events
May Events | Eventos de mayo
Discover your RealAge
How old are you... really? Discover your RealAge with Blue Zones Project Monterey County! In just minutes, get a snapshot of your body’s true age based on your health and habits. Your real age might surprise you —find out today, it's free!
1. Visit assessments.bluezones.com
2. Create a new account and use code: BZPMC
3. Discover your RealAge!
RECAP OF BZP EVENTS
Events in the Peninsula Cities
Peninsula Cities Certification Site-Visit
Blue Zones Project is excitedly preparing for an upcoming certification site visit. This visit will provide an incredible opportunity to showcase the significant progress and accomplishments achieved within the community. Over the past year, the Peninsula project has successfully engaged over 1,400 community members directly and reached a total of 10,600 individuals through various initiatives in the Peninsula Cities the past four years.
Additionally, 20 Participating Organizations have been Recognized for their contributions to the project's goals. The site visit will serve as a testament to the collective efforts and commitment of the Peninsula Cities community in creating a healthier and more vibrant environment.
Thank you all who continue to make the healthy choice, the easy choice, and by making Monterey County a healthier, happier place to live, work, and play.
Events in Salinas
Walk with the Doc RealAge Test
BZP attended the Walk with a Doc series which is in partnership with our sponsor Salinas Valley Health. We invited the community participants to take the RealAge Test and discover their RealAge.
Amor Salinas Earth Day
BZP participated in the Salinas Earth Day resource fair where we handed out BZP resources and information about the RealAge Test. Likewise we shared our upcoming events!
El Mercado, Hartnell Basic Needs Celebration
We celebrated El Mercado at Hartnell Basic Needs Center as they became an Inspired Organization! We are excited to have worked with them and for all of the great work they are doing in addressing food insecurities at the college level.
Events around the County
Hartnell Lunch and Learn
Traveled to the Soledad Hartnell Campus to have a fun healthy cooking demonstration for participants. We also took the time to have the participants complete the RealAge Test together. The entire team did it which was fun for all of them to see what their results were.
KC Restaurant Day
A day to celebrate BZP Approved restaurants in King City and give them recognition for their healthy food items. We had La Plaza Bakery, Bloom Cafe, Hestia, and El Taquero participate in a Restaurant day featuring tasty Blue Zones inspired bites that anyone could come and try for free. There were over 200 samples distributed that day! All of these participating restaurants did a great job and continue to do a great job in the community. If you are ever in King City, stop by and check them out!
SVH Community Health Day
We had a fun day celebrating the city of Castroville at a really great event. There were a lot of families who attended. BZP had their art bike, which was a big hit! There was a lot of wonderful art pieces created that day. We also used this opportunity to promote the and RealAge Test so individuals could find out their real age and inform priority areas of well-being in our community.
Visit our Eventbrite page to see all our upcoming events: https://bit.ly/BZPMCEventbrite
All BZP events are FREE!
Visita nuestra página de Eventbrite para ver todos nuestros próximos eventos: https://bit.ly/BZPMCEventbrite
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April Events
April Events | Eventos de abril
THANK YOU, VOLUNTEERS!
Huge thanks to our incredible Blue Zones Project volunteers and Ambassadors! Your passion and dedication are helping make our community a healthier, happier place. We couldn’t do all this wonderful work without you! Since the inception of BZPMC, we have hosted and partnered on 374 volunteer events, where 3,782 volunteers contributed over 12,258 hours of service to support community organizations and spaces throughout Monterey County!
Discover your RealAge
How old are you... really? Discover your RealAge with Blue Zones Project Monterey County! In just minutes, get a snapshot of your body’s true age based on your health and habits. Your real age might surprise you —find out today, it's free!
1. Visit assessments.bluezones.com
2. Create a new account and use code: BZPMC
3. Discover your RealAge
RECAP OF BZP EVENTS
Events in the Peninsula Cities
The City of Monterey Cutting Day and Horticulture Faire
We had the exciting opportunity to participate in this year’s Cutting Day and Horticulture Faire hosted by the City of Monterey. We engaged with community members during the event while providing gardening information, food resources, and free seed packets. Thank you to all that stopped by our booth!
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SVH Community Health Day
We had the pleasure to participate in the Salinas Valley Health Community Health Day in Marina and share our BZP resources with the Marina community. The mobile clinic was a big hit among the farmers' market visitors.
Events in Salinas
SVH Community Event
Hosted at the Family Resource Center at Martin Luther King Jr. Park, the event saw partnerships between Salinas Valley Health Hospital, Aspire Health, and Blue Zones, bringing valuable resources to the community. The mobile clinic was also on-site, offering check-ups for those interested.
Soccer Complex Clean-up
The Soccer Complex Clean-ups are back for 2025! This sustainable event has become a favorite among young people looking to complete their community service hours, as well as local residents eager to make a positive impact on their community.
Events in other areas of Monterey County
Hike and Wine
Now a BZP Participating Organization, the Hike and Wines series has kicked off at CRU Winery in collaboration with Valley Farm Management, and we’re thrilled to invite the public to join us for a scenic hike followed by a fun wine tasting experience. The hikes will be every second Sunday of the month at 10am.
Greenfield Walking Moai
With the support of the City of Greenfield, we’ve brought back the popular community walks from last year. We’re excited to continue them this year, with local businesses generously contributing prizes to support the event.
Visit our Eventbrite page to see all our upcoming events: https://bit.ly/BZPMCEventbrite
All BZP events are FREE!
Visita nuestra página de Eventbrite para ver todos nuestros próximos eventos: https://bit.ly/BZPMCEventbrite
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March 2025
March Events | Eventos de marzo
Taste the blue zones
RECAP OF BZP EVENTS
BZP Events in the Peninsula Cities
Community Volunteer Day Beach Clean-up
The Del Monte Beach cleanup, organized with the City of Monterey, was a success! Volunteers removed over 100 pounds of trash, improving the beach's environment. Thank you to all volunteers for your dedication!
The Blue Zones Project Monterey Office will be moving to a new office location! While our address is changing, our commitment to serving and supporting our community remains as strong as ever. We’re still here, just updating our address. Thank you for your continued support as we continue working together to make Monterey a healthier place to live, work, and play! Stay tuned for more updates.
BZP Events in Salinas
Let’s Zumba
To kick off the new year, we decided to bring Zumba to the community! In partnership with the Salinas Family YMCA, we introduced a fun and energetic dance experience for everyone. The class was a huge hit, and we received fantastic feedback from participants. We're excited to continue offering more classes in the future and keep the energy going!
El Gabilan Cooking Demo
In partnership with the Salinas Libraries, we’re excited to bring back one of the community's favorite events—the cooking demos! For this session, we created a healthy snack board featuring pink hummus in celebration of Valentine's Day. Everyone who attended had the opportunity to build their own personalized snack board, making it a fun and interactive experience for all!
Hartnell Cooking Demo
In collaboration with the Basic Needs Center at Hartnell College, we hosted a plant-based cooking demo featuring students. The Basic Needs Center recently launched a market, and our goal was to explore how to incorporate the fresh, available ingredients into a quick and easy recipe. For the demo, we prepared a plant-based chili, and the response from the participants was overwhelmingly positive!
BZP Events in the BZP County Project
Trashion Show
Blue Zones Project had the opportunity to attend a wonderful fundraiser for Alliance on Aging in King City. The money from the Trashion Show goes directly to support our critical senior services programs in Monterey County. The coordinator of our Blue Zones Inspired Market, La Cocina, invited us, and we were glad Tina did, as we witnessed her BZP inspired outfit! Great fashion show and outfits were showcased.
North Monterey County Purpose Workshop
BZP was able to host a purpose workshop for the classified staff of NMC for their professional development day. It was a wonderful opportunity to help the staff (re)discover the gifts and how to align it to their personal and professional life.
Soledad Chamber of Commerce Mixer & CRU Winery Celebration
BZP had the opportunity to mix and mingle with the community of Soledad at their Soledad Chamber of Commerce mixer that took place at CRU Winery. We had the opportunity to celebrate CRU Winery as our newest BZP Participating Organization, the first tasting room in Monterey County! We are thrilled for this incredible achievement and look forward to the 3rd annual Hike and Wine series starting up on March 9th. The Hike & Wine events will take place on the second Sunday of every month at 10AM, through the fall - everyone is welcome!
Visit our Eventbrite page to see all our upcoming events: https://bit.ly/BZPMCEventbrite
All BZP events are FREE!
Visita nuestra página de Eventbrite para ver todos nuestros próximos eventos: https://bit.ly/BZPMCEventbrite
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February 2025
February Events | Eventos de febrero
BZP Events in the Peninsula Cities
MLK Day of Service
In collaboration with City of Marina, Mayor Bruce Delgado, we organized a meaningful volunteer event that brought the community together to honor Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy through service. Many community members joined us on this special MLK day of service which included gardening, planting trees and painting inspirational rocks.
Cook With a Doc
In collaboration with Community Hospital of Monterey Peninsula, Blue Zones Project held an exciting cooking demonstration with Drs. Grace and Ryan Casserly at the Monterey Public Library. The physicians and culinary enthusiasts prepared a Lemon-Garlic Kale Salad, Caramelized Cabbage and Walnut pasta, and almond-based Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars. Attendees enjoyed learning about the health benefits of these plant-based dishes and getting to sample them at the end. Thank you to Drs. Grace and Ryan Casserly, the Monterey Public Library, and all who attended, for making this a memorable event.
The Blue Zones Project Monterey Office will be moving to a new office location! While our address is changing, our commitment to serving and supporting our community remains as strong as ever. We’re still here, just in a different spot. Thank you for your continued support as we continue working together to make Monterey a healthier place to live, work, and play! Stay tuned for more updates.
BZP Events in South County
Gonzales Garden Pollinator Planting Day
Thank you to everyone who supported the Gonzales Garden Pollinator Planting Day! With the guidance of RCDMC, community members came together to create a beautiful pollinator garden at Gonzales Garden. It was a wonderful event, and we look forward to seeing you all at many more in the future!
Visit our Eventbrite page to see all our upcoming events: https://bit.ly/BZPMCEventbrite
All BZP events are FREE!
Visita nuestra página de Eventbrite para ver todos nuestros próximos eventos: https://bit.ly/BZPMCEventbrite
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January 2025
January Events | Eventos de enero
BZP Events in Salinas
Salinas Soccer Complex Ribbon Cutting
In December, we supported our BZP Recognized Organization, Salinas Regional Soccer Complex, with the second phase of their project. We came with healthy snacks and QR codes if people were interested in learning more. There were a lot of people who attended the event and following the ribbon cutting there was a SheKicks Classic Tournament which was the first all female tournament in the Salinas area.
YMCA Holiday Demo
Spent our afternoon with the Salinas Family YMCA kids to create healthy holiday snacks; we had a banana snowman and a festive watermelon holiday tree. The kids we worked with were all very happy and enjoyed the snack demo.
BZP Events in South County
Cooking Demo
We brought the community together for a healthy cooking demo. The dish for this demo was a plant-based pozole with oyster mushrooms. The event took place at the Taylor Farms Clinic in Gonzales, and it was a great success for everyone who attended.
BZP Events County Wide
BZP Committee & Partner Holiday Breakfast
Before the end of the year, we celebrated with our sponsors, partners and organizations at a lovely breakfast made by our BZP Approved Restaurant El Colibri. We shared updates on our projects and all the great work accomplished in 2024, and new plans in store for the new year. Thank you to all those that support our project(s) and are helping us create a happier and healthier place for our community.
BZP Events in the Peninsula Cities
MLK Jr Day of Service
Start a healthy new year by giving back to your community! In honor of MLK Jr., please join Blue Zones Project and Citizens for Sustainable Marina (C4SM) for a fun morning beautifying the Oak Woodland Community Garden in Marina on Monday, January 20, 2025. This is a family-friendly event and will include tasks for all ages. We hope to see you there!
Visit our Eventbrite page to see all our upcoming events: https://bit.ly/BZPMCEventbrite
All BZP events are FREE!
Visita nuestra página de Eventbrite para ver todos nuestros próximos eventos: https://bit.ly/BZPMCEventbrite
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December 2024
December Events | Eventos de diciembre
EVENT RECAP
BZP Events in Salinas
Cesar Chavez Cooking Demo
30 individuals attended this cooking demo, in collaboration with the Salinas Public Library and volunteer chef. A very successful series thanks to our partnership and support from local chefs. We love learning new healthy plant-based dishes that are easy to make at home.
National Take a Hike Day
When it comes to Moving Naturally and getting outside, we really enjoy National Take a Hike Day. This year we were able to host 3 hikes with the help of some awesome volunteers and partners - in Soledad, Salinas and Marina. It’s always refreshing to take time for us to appreciate the beauty of nature and get moving in the fresh air.
BZP Events in the Peninsula Cities
Community Volunteer Day – Seaside
In collaboration with Friends of Seaside Parks Association (FOSPA) and Sun Street Centers, our incredible volunteers helped us beautify the Havana Soliz Park in honor of the Great American Smokeout. FOSPA had hands-on tasks for all abilities and ages. It was the perfect opportunity for people to get outdoors, move naturally, and connect with their community – while growing a pollinator habitat!
Note: Our Monterey Office is moving locations! We will still be here, just in a new office. :)
BZP Events in South County
Cooking Demo – Soledad
Soledad residents were very eager to learn how to make a vegetarian pozole! They had the opportunity to ask many questions and learn how to make this traditional dish with a healthy twist. Everyone left excited and happy! Great collaborating with Soledad Community Center to bring these events to the community.
BZP Volunteering
School is back in full swing which means volunteer hour requirements and service-learning opportunities are also back! We have many opportunities to volunteer in the community during this busy season. We post all opportunities on this page, which is regularly updated. If you have any questions or are looking to have your hours signed off on, please reach out to our Volunteer Coordinator at mackenzie.fisher@sharecare.com.
Visit our Eventbrite page to see all our upcoming events: https://bit.ly/BZPMCEventbrite
All BZP events are FREE!
Visita nuestra página de Eventbrite para ver todos nuestros próximos eventos: https://bit.ly/BZPMCEventbrite
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November 2024
November Events | Eventos de noviembre
EVENTS RECAP
BZP Events in Salinas
Salinas Ciclovia
Ciclovía is a fantastic event in Salinas that encourages the community to stay active. During this event, a major street is closed off, inviting everyone to run, walk, or bike freely. This year, we participated by setting up the SVH booth, where we distributed "Rethink Your Drink" kits to promote awareness about the beverages we consume. It’s a great way to inspire healthy choices while enjoying the day!
Sherwood Elementary School Grocery Tour
In collaboration with La Princessa Market Alisal and Sherwood Elementary School, we organized a grocery walking tour for parents, showcasing what an approved grocery store looks like. We had strong participation, and many parents asked insightful questions. With the school and market just around the corner from each other, it was an excellent opportunity to connect families to the store and highlight the fantastic California-grown produce available to them.
Hartnell College K12 STEAM
In partnership with Hartnell College and the Salinas Soccer Complex, we worked together to promote the K-12 STEM Program offered by the college. Setting up at the soccer complex allowed us to engage with the community and showcase various resources available. Additionally, we hosted a panel featuring one player from the Monterey Union and two Hartnell College soccer players, who shared their experiences and insights, inspiring attendees about the importance of education and sports.
BZP Events in the Peninsula Cities
Community Volunteer Day – Marina
In collaboration with Citizens for Sustainable Marina (C4SM) and the City of Marina, our incredible volunteers helped us beautify the Oak Woodland Community Garden. C4SM had hands-on tasks for all abilities and ages. It was the perfect opportunity for people to get outdoors, move naturally, and connect with their community – while growing a pollinator habitat!
BZP Events in South County
King City Community Walking Series Celebration
The City of King celebrated the completion of their summer walking series. There was great participating from the community each week and the community really enjoyed the walks. Each week participants had a chance to win free giveaways and food bites from local sponsors.
Community Health Event, Gonzales
In support of our sponsor, Salinas Valley Health, the community of Gonzales celebrated with a healthy event filled with activities, medical clinic, food bank, clean-up and more. We (re)introduced the RealAge test as well. Great to spend time with the community!
Hike & Wine, Soledad
31 participants attended the last hike & wine series in Soledad with CRU Winery and Valley Farm Management. It was great in attendance and energy. Participants also were able to learn about the RealAge Test and complete it on their hike. There were newcomers who were sad to hear it was the last hike and everyone is already looking for next year’s hike & wine series. We are excited to continue the collaboration for these hikes next year. So much, we have decided to add ONE more hike this year in November for National Take a Hike Day on Sunday, Nov 17th at 10AM.
Ciclovia, King City
BZP supported King City Ciclovia, a day for the community to walk and cycle down the street and feel safe. What made this Ciclovia unique was that it was BZP-inspired with the Power 9 theme throughout the event so people could learn more. The partnership with the city and aligning their efforts to support and create a healthier community was present at this event.
BZP Volunteering
School is back in full swing which means volunteer hour requirements and service-learning opportunities are also back! We have many opportunities to volunteer in the community during this busy season. We post all opportunities on this page, which is regularly updated. If you have any questions or are looking to have your hours signed off on, please reach out to our Volunteer Coordinator at mackenzie.fisher@sharecare.com.
Visit our Eventbrite page to see all our upcoming events: https://bit.ly/BZPMCEventbrite
All BZP events are FREE!
Visita nuestra página de Eventbrite para ver todos nuestros próximos eventos: https://bit.ly/BZPMCEventbrite
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October 2024
October Events | Eventos de octubre
EVENTS RECAP
Salinas
Salinas Certification & Awards Night
Following the Salinas Blue Zones Certification, the local BZP team decided to celebrate with our sponsors, organizations, and community members. We celebrated all the hard work that the team has accomplished and awarded some of our close partners with for going above and beyond the blue zones mission. We want to thank our participating BZP Approved Restaurants: La Casa del Sazon, Portobello's on Main, El Colibri Restaurant & Deli, Steinbeck House Restaurant and La Plaza Bakery for the delicious bites & Scheid Vineyard for providing some great wine to celebrate.
Salinas Certification Community Celebration
We also celebrated Salinas becoming a CERTIFIED Blue Zones Community by having a big community event and invited all Salinas to come and support. We had food trucks, baile folkloriko, bike rodeo, activities, and more! We really had a great time seeing you all there & helping us celebrate a happier, healthier Salinas. Big shoutout to Sabor Latin Fusion, R Truck, El Barrio, El Taquero, CalWater, Ecology Action, Salinas Family YMCA for making it a great event.
El Gabilan Cooking Demo
In collaboration with La Casa del Sazon, we decided to have our next cooking demo in the series at El Gabilan Library. The lead chef Ignacio Maravilla, created a Tostada Monarca that was a recipe that originated from his mother and now brough to the people of Salinas.
Salinas Soccer Complex Clean-Up
Our last soccer complex clean-up was a success! We had many people come out to volunteer with our approved organization to keep our outdoors spaces clean.
Salinas Senior Social
In collaboration with Meals on Wheel we went and hung out with a few of the seniors and enjoy their company. We also shared our upcoming events for them to come and enjoy BZP activities!
Peninsula Cities
Cook With a Doc – Marina
In collaboration with Community Hospital of Monterey Peninsula (CHOMP), Montage Health, and the City of Marina, we hosted an exciting cooking demo with Dr. Devi Mahendran, a board-certified anesthesiologist and culinary enthusiast! Dr. Mahendran prepared a flavor-packed Asian Tofu Bowl with a variety of vegan drizzle sauces while she and Internal Medicine Physician Dr. Tiongco shared nutrition and health facts.
South County
Walking Moai Celebration, Greenfield
We celebrated the community of Greenfield completing 10 weeks of their walking moai. Over 30 participants attended the walks each week and 18 individuals completed the entire series. The community thoroughly enjoyed the walk and look forward to starting up again. We celebrated with some healthy snacks and a refreshing agua fresca from La Plaza Bakery. All participants received a certificated and had a chance to win giveaways.
Volunteer
School is back in full swing which means volunteer hour requirements and service-learning opportunities are also back! We have many opportunities to volunteer in the community during this busy season. We post all opportunities on this page, which is regularly updated. If you have any questions or are looking to have your hours signed off on, please reach out to our Volunteer Coordinator at mackenzie.fisher@sharecare.com.
Visit our Eventbrite page to see all our upcoming events: https://bit.ly/BZPMCEventbrite
All BZP events are FREE!
Visita nuestra página de Eventbrite para ver todos nuestros próximos eventos: https://bit.ly/BZPMCEventbrite
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September 2024
September Events | Eventos de septiembre
EVENTS RECAP
Salinas
Breastfeeding Awareness Walk/Health Fair
In collaboration with WIC, BZP went to invite the community to our certification celebration, it was a really great event to be part of and we had over 100 people engage with our table which really gave us the opportunity to talk with the participants a little more and answer any questions they had about BZP.
Veggie Packing Day
The annual Rancho Cielo Veggie Box Packing Fundraiser, as a team we decided to go and volunteer our time in supporting the pacing, we also had one of the restaurant workers from La Casa Del Sazon come and support as well, it was a very fun and collaborative event with the different sectors.
Kids Eat Right – Family Picnic
In collaboration with Kids Eat Right we participated in a Family Picnic Event at Tatum’s Garden. There was a lot of different community partners also there and the Monterey County Food Bank. Really great weather for a picnic and outdoor activities to get the community moving naturally and connecting.
Peninsula Cities
Approval Celebration
We welcomed FUEL CYCLING to the BZP family as they celebrated their third anniversary! Fuel Cycling is an in-door boutique cycling studio that strongly believes in Blue Zones Project and BZP Power 9 by helping its staff and members make the healthy choice the easy choice.
They commemorated by hosting a fun gathering for their members by hosting small local businesses. Book your ride today and join the fun!
Smoothie Demo for Students
Blue Zones Project staff connected with College Living Experience in Monterey to host a fun and interactive smoothie class. Students helped prepare three different fruit and veggie smoothies, sampled each one, and voted for their favorites. The strawberry, banana, cauliflower smoothie and tropical green smoothie were the winners. We love seeing the community enjoying getting their fruits and veggies in!
Cooking Demo for Seniors
Over fifteen community members came out to Casanova Oak Knoll Park Center in Monterey for a healthy cooking demonstration in collaboration with the City of Monterey, Monterey Recreation, and Alliance on Aging. Chef Gundega Nigale from Alliance on Aging shared her recipes for a savory veggie crepe, sweet fruit crepe, and warm golden milk. Attendees sampled the delicious dishes while learning tips for healthy eating on a budget. Check out our events page for more cooking demonstrations throughout the county.
South County
La Cocina Approval Celebration
La Cocina Market in King City celebrated their approval with ribbon cutting from KC Chamber of Commerce, King City Mayor, Supervisor Chris Lopez, free BZP inspired bites, music, baile folklorico, and over 100 community engagement.
Countywide
National Night Out
BZP participated in the fun annual community event where everyone came together to celebrate connection and our communities. In total, we engaged with over 163 individuals across the county events this evening, promoting our BZP events and resources available.
Visit our Eventbrite page to see all our upcoming events: https://bit.ly/BZPMCEventbrite
All BZP events are FREE!
Visita nuestra página de Eventbrite para ver todos nuestros próximos eventos: https://bit.ly/BZPMCEventbrite
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August 2024
August Events | Eventos de agosto
EVENTS RECAP
Salinas
Hike and Clean-up
Our final hike at Ford Ord Creekside Terrence, was in collaboration with the Salinas Valley Young Professionals and Park Ranger Tammy. Not only did we get to hike up the hills of Ford Ord, but we also cleaned the hiking trails on the way. It was a very nice sunny day with a slight breeze, we meet new friends and learned about different native plants in the trials and helped keep it cleaned. Thank you to everyone who participated in the hike your support was very much appreciate and we hope you all had a lot of fun.
Soccer Complex Clean-up
This month we hosted our 2nd to last soccer complex clean-up of the year. We had a great turnout and a wonderful representation from Natividad. Natividad brought students from their volunteer program and challenged them to see who could get the most trash. Friendly competition!
Peninsula Cities
Community Volunteer Day – Marina
In collaboration with Citizens for Sustainable Marina (C4SM) and the City of Marina, our incredible volunteers helped us beautify the Oak Woodland Community Garden. C4SM had hands-on tasks for all abilities and ages. It was the perfect opportunity for people to get outdoors, move naturally, and connect with their community – while growing a pollinator habitat!
Marina 822 Walking Moai 3-year Anniversary
This month, we celebrated Marina 822 Walking Moai’s third anniversary of walking together. What an inspiration! The Moai meets twice a week and walks for a total of three miles. If you’d like to join them, you can find them on Tuesday and Thursday at 10 AM at the Fort Ord Dunes State Park parking lot or email lidia.wilding@sharecare.com for more information.
South Monterey County
City of Greenfield Interns Purpose Workshop
BZP was able to host a purpose workshop for some of their summer interns and help them (re)discover their gifts. Thank you to the City of Greenfield for inviting us, such a great group of motivated youth!
Greenfield Community Walking Moai Launch
Great engagement and enthusiasm from the community as we launch the second annual Greenfield community walking moai. We had a great turnout despite the heat. If you are interested in joining, the moai meets every Tuesday at 9AM at Village Green Park in Greenfield. The moai runs through Sept 24.
Visit our Eventbrite page to see all our upcoming events: https://bit.ly/BZPMCEventbrite
All BZP events are FREE!
Visita nuestra página de Eventbrite para ver todos nuestros próximos eventos: https://bit.ly/BZPMCEventbrite
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July 2024
July Events | Eventos de julio
EVENTS RECAP
Salinas
Father’s Days Hike
We started the weekend off right with a hike at Ford Ord Creekside Terrace to celebrate fathers. It was a fun, sunny, and windy hike but all the participants had a lot of fun. We thanked all the fathers with a little Positive Potato to carry with them.
BZP Ambassador Training
Hosted our first BZP Ambassador Training in the Salinas office. Thank you to the engaged volunteers that showed up to learn more! We are looking for those individuals who want to dedicate their time and be a part of their community while making a difference. Visit our Eventbrite (link below) for upcoming training sessions!
Purpose Workshop to the SVH Summer Health Institute
In collaboration with Salinas Valley Health, BZP facilitated a purpose workshop presentation for the youth interested in a career in health care. The purpose workshop was a great way for them to (re)discover their purpose and keep pursuing it in their career.
Cooking Demo - Pozole Verde Vegano
In collaboration with the Salinas Libraries and our chef Marie, we brought people together at the Cesar Chavez Library for a demonstration on how to make a plant-based Green Pozole. The audience was a little skeptical to try at first, but they really enjoyed it and were able to learn how to make a healthier alternative to a traditional food. Try it yourself at home!
Peninsula Cities
Community Volunteer Day – Seaside
In collaboration with Friends of Seaside Parks Association (FOSPA) and the City of Seaside, our incredible volunteers helped us in beautifying the Havana Soliz Park. FOSPA had hands-on tasks for all abilities and ages. This was the perfect opportunity for people to get outdoors, move naturally, and connect with their community – while growing an edible garden and pollinator habitat!
Seaside Farmers’ Market – Seaside
BZP joined Everyone's Harvest and the City of Seaside to celebrate the 1st Anniversary of the Seaside Certified Farmers' Market! There were fun family activities, a ribbon cutting, local vendors, festive foods, live entertainment, and nutritional tastings. The Farmers’ Market is open year-round, Thursdays 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM, and located at the Laguna Grande Regional Park at 1259 Canyon Del Rey Blvd in Seaside, CA 93955. For more information, visit https://www.everyonesharvest.org/seaside-certified-farmers-market/ or https://www.everyonesharvest.org/.
South County
King City Community Walking Moai Launch
In partnership with the City of King, BZP helped launched a community walking moai. Last year's was such a success that the city wanted to do it again this year! This time the walk will be taking place from June to October, every single Thursday at 6PM. The whole family is welcome to join. The walk starts in Town Square. Come join us for a chance to move naturally, meet your community, enjoy giveaways and light snacks!
Soledad Hike & Wine
The Hike & Wine series continues to be a big hit. Thank you to Valley Farm Management and CRU Winery for leading the monthly hikes, second Sunday of every month until October. Come enjoy the scenic views, the hike starts at 9AM. Space is limited so please be sure to register online!
King City Sun Street Centers Cooking Demo
Blue Zones Project was invited to do a cooking demonstration for the Sun Street Centers youth during their summer retreat. Students learned how to make a tasty and easy garbanzo salad and a homemade salad dressing. We hope the students felt inspired to learn and cook at home!
Visit our Eventbrite page to see all our upcoming events: https://bit.ly/BZPMCEventbrite
All BZP events are FREE!
Visita nuestra página de Eventbrite para ver todos nuestros próximos eventos: https://bit.ly/BZPMCEventbrite
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June 2024
June Events | Eventos de junio
Become a BZP Ambassador!
Visit our Eventbrite page to register for a training session.
EVENTS RECAP
Salinas
Mother’s Day Hike
We started Mother’s Day weekend with a fun family-friendly hike! The hike was at Creekside Terrace Trailhead and we had many moms and people in our community who wanted to meet new people and enjoy the fresh air.
Salinas Soccer Complex Clean-Up
We had a great volunteer event with one of our incredible partners. It's a great opportunity for anyone to come out and support the wonderful Salinas Soccer Complex and make it shine. We invite you to join us on our next clean-up, we are looking for volunteers to support the next one.
Peninsula Cities
Spring Into Wellness – Monterey
In collaboration with the City of Monterey and Monterey Recreation, we hosted a family-friendly event where we had a Zumba class and a Pilates class for seniors. A great opportunity to connect and move naturally.
South County
Cooking Demos - Greenfield & Gonzales
Our team hosted two cooking demos in South County, one for teen moms in partnership with Sun Street Centers and one for seniors in partnership with Alliance on Aging. By sharing some simple, plant-based meals, we can encourage our community to make healthier choices easier.
Family Celebration & Women Empowerment Fair - Greenfield
Some wonderful events took place in Greenfield this past month, we were able to join in on the fun at a Family Celebration and Women Empowerment Fair. We shared our BZP resources and some fun family activities.
Block Party - King City
We finished off the month of May in King City during their Block Party hosted by the King City Police Department. There was music, fun activities and giveaways. It was a great opportunity to connect with the community of King City.
Visit our Eventbrite page to see all our upcoming events: https://bit.ly/BZPMCEventbrite
All BZP events are FREE!
Visita nuestra página de Eventbrite para ver todos nuestros próximos eventos: https://bit.ly/BZPMCEventbrite
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May 2024
May Events | Eventos de mayo
Wellbeing Practices
Just as we care for our physical well-being, nurturing our mental health is crucial for overall wellness. It impacts how we think, feel, and act, influencing every aspect of our lives. By prioritizing mental health, we cultivate resilience, enhance relationships, and improve our ability to cope with life's challenges. Let's break the stigma, foster understanding, and make mental health a priority in our lives and communities.
EVENTS RECAP
Salinas
Community Health Day
Thanks to the collaboration of Salinas Valley Health, The Soccer Complex, and Blue Zones Project, we orchestrated an extraordinary Health Day at the Soccer Complex. Taking advantage of a bustling soccer Sunday, we engaged with a broader swath of the Salinas community. It was immensely gratifying to interact with attendees and discuss health matters. In addition to informative sessions, we organized a community clean-up effort to maintain the pristine condition of the complex. These clean-up initiatives have consistently yielded positive results, and on this day, their significance was underscored. Witnessing families diligently gather their trash and responsibly dispose of it was truly heartening.
Salinas Certification Week April 21-25
Throughout this week, our central team and representatives from Blue Zones LLC visited Salinas to evaluate the remarkable progress we've made over the years. We engaged in discussions with key stakeholders, including the Salinas Soccer Complex, The Salinas Rotary, CHISPA, Salinas Libraries, Rancho Cielo, SVH, City of Salinas, YMCA, University Park, and the Creekside Moai, which has been ongoing for two years. It was an intensive yet gratifying week, as we showcased our strong partnerships and discussed our collective commitment to sustaining and advancing our efforts in the years ahead.
Volunteer Appreciation Event
We were privileged to honor the dedicated volunteers who have steadfastly supported our initiatives for many years. Volunteering not only enriches communities but also fosters new connections and friendships. During this special event, we recognized several outstanding individuals: Adrienne Laurent, recipient of the BZP Pioneer Award; Karina Rusk, honored with the BZP Advocate Award; The Rangel Family, recipients of the Familia Award; Linnea Carlton, recognized with the BZP Excellence Award; and Vivian Leyva, recipient of the Right Outlook Award. We expressed heartfelt gratitude to them for their unwavering support, as well as to all community members who have contributed to the success of our project.
South County
Hike & Wine
The hike & wine series continues at Valley Farm Management at CRU Winery in Soledad! Everyone enjoys connecting, getting some fresh air and moving naturally. This will be a monthly hiking moai series for the next 8 months (until October), taking place the second Sunday of every month at 10AM. Join us!
King City Community Walking Moai
Stay tune as we get ready to launch a community walking moai with the City of King. The walk is expected to launch on the 6th of June. More details to come soon!
Peninsula Cities
Other Brother Beer Co Approval Celebration – Seaside
It’s our pleasure to welcome Other Brother Beer Co to the BZP family as they have recently become a recognized participating organization. In honor of their celebration, Other Brother Beer Co donation a portion of their beer pint sale to a local nonprofit organization. Cheers to another wonderful partnership!
Interim, Inc. Walking Moai Celebration
On Monday, April 15, Interim, Inc. celebrated the completion of its 10-week Walking Moai. Its team gathered again to walk along El Estero Park, but they hoped it won’t be their last! We love to see their commitment to their well-being and one another.
Seaside Walking Moai
The City of Seaside Walking Moai celebrated the completion of its 10-week Walking Moai! Although most of the members could not attend due to other commitments, the small but mighty group had a fun time walking together, enjoying each other's company and the wonderful weather!
Seaside Earth Day Celebration
We enjoyed participating in the City of Seaside's annual Earth Day celebration! We had many great interactions with community members and were happy to share the BZP Story with all of them!
Visit our Eventbrite page to see all our upcoming events: https://bit.ly/BZPMCEventbrite
All BZP events are FREE!
Visita nuestra página de Eventbrite para ver todos nuestros próximos eventos: https://bit.ly/BZPMCEventbrite
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April 2024
April Events | Eventos de abril
EVENTS RECAP
Salinas
Salinas Soccer Complex Clean-Up
Being back after all the rain, our partnership with the soccer complex continues, and we were very excited to be back and clean up the soccer complex. Like we all know, the soccer complex is known for all the games that happen on the weekends and the practices during the week, so we just want to make sure it is always looking great for anyone who goes. Keep a look out for the next clean up so you can come and support.
South County
Hike & Wine Series Launch
This past March, we launched a very successful hiking series with Valley Farm Management at CRU Winery in Soledad! We had over 30 participants attending & everyone had a great time connecting, getting some fresh air and moving naturally. This will be a monthly hiking moai series for the next 8 months (until October), taking place the second Sunday of every month. Join us!
Peninsula Cities
El Susto Screening
In collaboration with the City of Seaside, Monterey Peninsula Unified School District, and Dual Language Academy, we screened El Susto, a documentary highlighting the impact of the sugar-sweetened beverage industry in Mexico and diabetes type II. We had over 20 participants learn how their environment can impact Diabetes II and how they can prevent it.
Interim, Inc. Walking Moai
On Monday, March 11th Interim, Inc. celebrated their 5th week of their Moai. Their team continues gathering and walking along El Estero Park regardless of the weather! We love to see their commitment to their well-being and one another.
Seaside Walking Moai
The City of Seaside Walking Moai celebrated their 5th week walking together! Participants are going strong and continue to enjoy a lovely walk with a beautiful view of Monterey Bay from the hillsides of Seaside. The group meets every Sunday in the parking area near General Jim Moore Blvd and Eucalyptus Rd. New members are always welcome!
Visit our Eventbrite page to see all our upcoming events: https://bit.ly/BZPMCEventbrite
All BZP events are FREE!
Visita nuestra página de Eventbrite para ver todos nuestros próximos eventos: https://bit.ly/BZPMCEventbrite
Todos los eventos de BZP son GRATUITOS
Thai is Fun Recognized Participating Organization Celebration
Goi was first introduced to the original Blue Zones research by watching the “Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones” Netflix documentary series. Soon after, she met the Executive Director of Blue Zones Project Monterey County and was delighted to learn that ThaiIsFun (Thai cooking class) has been promoting healthy eating, which is aligned with the Power 9 Principles of Healthy Living.
Goi began her partnership with the Blue Zones project by hosting the BZPMC Food Environment team for a Thai Cooking class in November 2023. Goi attended a BZPMC cooking demonstration in November 2023 and led a cooking demonstration for a Monterey worksite the following month.
Goi includes several plant-based recipes in her menu and accommodates vegan and vegetarian diets. In her classes, Goi encourages natural movement by leading stretching exercises before class and getting students involved in the preparation of the dishes. Thai Is Fun became a Recognized Participating Organization on March 12, 2024. The recognition was celebrated with friends, family, and BZPMC staff on March 29, 2014. Blue Zones Project Monterey County is thrilled to have Thai is Fun join the community of recognized participating organizations promoting wellbeing in our county.
If you would like more information on how your organization can be a part of the movement, click the link below:
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March 2024
March Events | Eventos de marzo
Salinas
Creekside Trails 2-Year Walking Moai Celebration 2/8
This walking moai has been meeting for two years and have been on many adventure walks. The group try their best to continue to meet once a week or sometimes even more and go on their walk. During their celebration they could not even believe that it had already been two years, the group has made such a great connection with one another, and two years went by very fast. If you or someone you know would like to start a walking moai reach out to us so we can help, get you started.
Gabilan Library Cooking Demo 2/29
During Heart Health Month we wanted to do something that was different for the community. We did not just want to have a regular cooking demo; we wanted the community to participate. So, this time around we did a healthy snack board, for this demo we had strawberries, black berries, Manchego cheese, mixed nuts, dark chocolate, crackers, and demonstrated how to make an olive tapenade. We had the participants come and create their own board and then had a fun talk with everyone.
Peninsula Cities
Seaside Walking Moai Launch 2/11
The City of Seaside Walking Moai launch was a great success and a wonderful way to see people connect and move naturally. With over 20 participants, people enjoyed a lovely walk with a beautiful view of Monterey Bay from the hillsides of Seaside. The group meets every Sunday in the parking area near General Jim Moore Blvd and Eucalyptus Rd. New members are always welcome!
Interim, Inc. Walking Moai Launch 2/12
Interim, Inc. embodies Blue Zones Project Power 9! They’re helping their staff members make the healthy choice the easy choice by recently becoming a Recognized Organization and starting a Walking Moai that allows their team to connect outside of an office setting. Over 10 colleagues gathered and walked along El Estero Park on a sunny yet chilly day.
South County
Senior Chair Yoga Launch 2/3
With support of the City of Gonzales, we were able to launch an 8-week session of senior chair yoga with BZP Ambassador, Viviann Leyva, who started out as a BZP volunteer and is now offering these classes free to the community. Great attendance thus far! The group meets on Saturdays from 9AM-10AM until March 23, 2024 at the Vosti Center in Gonzales.
Healthy Snack Board Demo 2/22
18 Participants joined and learned how to transform a traditional charcuterie board into a healthy snack board demo, full of heart-healthy snacks. Attendees were able to learn how to make a delicious Olive Tapanade to pair. And in honor of Heart Health Month & Valentine's Day, we made sure the snacks were red - strawberries, raspberries, red apples!
Visit our Eventbrite page to see all our upcoming events: https://bit.ly/BZPMCEventbrite
All BZP events are FREE!
Visita nuestra página de Eventbrite para ver todos nuestros próximos eventos: https://bit.ly/BZPMCEventbrite
Todos los eventos de BZP son GRATUITOS
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February 2024
February Events | Eventos de febrero
January Events Recap
MLK Day of Service - Salinas
The Blue Zones Project team decided to invite the entire community and dedicate a day of service for MLK Day on January 15th. We decided to meet at Natividad Creek Park in Salinas, all the volunteers went around the park and clean as much as we could. We also worked on the community garden and had a great morning of meeting new people and volunteering in our community.
Community Volunteer Day at Locke Paddon Park – Marina
In collaboration with the City of Marina, Citizens for Sustainable Marina (C4SM) and a group of brave volunteers joined forces and weathered the rain to beautify Locke Paddon Park by weeding, transplanting native plants, and planting native plants; this event was a BIG success due to strategic outreach supported by BZP.
City of Greenfield Walking Moai Celebration - Greenfield
With the collaboration of the City of Greenfield, we celebrated the completion of a 10-week walking moai in Greenfield. The community had a wonderful time connecting for all these weeks and building on the habit of walking regularly. We had some committed individuals that joined every single walk, including the City Mayor and his wife. Grateful for the community's commitment to well-being and longevity!
Walk & Learn - Salinas
On Saturday Jan 27th we had our first Walk and Learn in Salinas with collaboration of the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex and Natividad Hospital. We had Dr. Arias come and educate us on the importance of exercise, no matter when you do it in the morning, afternoon, or at night it is important to add some exercise to our everyday busy life. Then we took a few laps around the soccer complex, which is open to the entire community to use whenever you can, if the parking structure is closed you can always park at Natividad hospital or at Veterans Park and walk over. Also, when looking into your everyday life know that we can make those little changes like having walking meetings or parking our car a little further away.
Visit our Eventbrite page to see all our upcoming events: https://bit.ly/BZPMCEventbrite
All BZP events are FREE!
Visita nuestra página de Eventbrite para ver todos nuestros próximos eventos: https://bit.ly/BZPMCEventbrite
Todos los eventos de BZP son GRATUITOS
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January 2024
January Events | Eventos de enero
December Events Recap
Community Volunteer Day at Lincoln Cunningham Park – Seaside
In collaboration with the City of Seaside, Friends of Seaside Parks (FOSPA), and a group of volunteers joined forces by beautifying Lincoln Cunningham Park by collecting trash, weeding, and planting native plants; this event was a BIG success due to strategic outreach supported by BZP.
TAMC Traffic Garden & Bike Rodeo - King City
We celebrated the grand opening in King City of a traffic garden at San Antonio Park. In collaboration with Ecology Action, TAMC now has traffic gardens throughout the county to encourage cycling for children. BZP has been a strong supporter and advocate about this project to encourage natural movement.
Senior Loteria y Lonche - Salinas
We celebrated the end of year with the lovely elders of Los Abuelitos Apartments in Salinas. It's been a great place for BZP to go and talk with the elders and connect over loteria. The workers have even mentioned that they have seen more participation from 'los abuelitos' that never leave their space than they have in a long time. The goal for BZP is to share with the residents the power 9's and focus on friends at 5 and connection.
Holiday Themed: Cooking Demo with Kids Eat Right - Greenfield
BZP collaborated with Kids Eat Right on a family cooking demo in Greenfield. We helped teach kids and their families how to cook healthier during the holidays. Participants were very engaged and learned how to cook a healthy chocolate pudding and 'ponche'.
All Things New Church Recognized Celebration - Monterey
Congratulations to All Things New Church on becoming a BZP Recognized Organization! Church members are excited about their church being a part of the BZP family and what that means for them all. "Our faith tradition is centered around the person of Jesus, who claimed he came to give life abundant to the world. The Blue Zones Project is all about abundant life! As our faith community seeks the renewal Jesus offers, it makes perfect sense for us to collaborate with like-minded people who desire abundant life for all."
BZP Committee Holiday Breakfast
We ended the year celebrating with our BZP supporters during our holiday breakfast. Everyone had a wonderful time and really enjoyed it. We were able to thank our committee members and community partners for all their support this last year. We also debuted and gifted our very own local BZP cookbook! Stay tuned for a digital version available to all - soon!
Visit our Eventbrite page to see all our upcoming events: https://bit.ly/BZPMCEventbrite
All BZP events are FREE!
Visita nuestra página de Eventbrite para ver todos nuestros próximos eventos: https://bit.ly/BZPMCEventbrite
Todos los eventos de BZP son GRATUITOS
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December 2023
December Events | Eventos de diciembre
November Events Recap
Community Volunteer Day at Laguna Grande Park – Monterey
In collaboration with the City of Monterey and Sun Street Centers, and 20 volunteers joined forces in honoring the Great American Smokeout Day by beautifying the Laguna Grande Park by collecting tobacco litter; despite the weather, this event was a BIG success due to strategic outreach supported by BZP.
Walk & Learn: Diabetes Awareness – Seaside
In collaboration with the City of Seaside and CHOMP/Montage Health, this event was led by a registered dietitian and certified diabetes care and education specialist Leslie Pinkerton. She spoke on how to embrace a healthier lifestyle during Diabetes Awareness Month.
National Take a Hike Day - Countywide
Celebrated National Take a Hike Day by hosting 3 walks in Monterey County to promote natural movement. Every year it is well received and allows community members to connect and form new friendships and new walking moais! Special thank you to our BZP Ambassador and Walking Moai leader, Anne Vallone, for leading one of the walks in Marina.
Cooking Demo - Gonzales
With guest Chef Anthony, we were able to engage the Gonzales community to teach that healthy recipes tt are good and easy to prepare. participants all got the opportunity to participate and help create their own dish
Walk With a Doc - Salinas
39 individuals participated at the Walk With a Doc in collaboration with Salinas Valley Health for Diabetes Awareness Month. It was insightful listening to an expert talk about Diabetes and giving participants the opportunity to ask any questions and receive tips.
Happy Holidays from the BZP Team!
Visit our Eventbrite page to see all our upcoming events: https://bit.ly/BZPMCEventbrite
All BZP events are FREE!
Visita nuestra página de Eventbrite para ver todos nuestros próximos eventos: https://bit.ly/BZPMCEventbrite
Todos los eventos de BZP son GRATUITOS
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November 2023
November Events | Eventos de noviembre
Upcoming Purpose Workshops (English Only)
Events Recap
Community Volunteer Workday at Oak Woodland Community Garden – Locke Paddon Park in Marina
In collaboration with Citizens for Sustainable Marina (C4SM), BZP, and over 40 volunteers joined forces in beautifying the community garden by collecting pulling weeds, repotting native plants, watering dozens of plants, and painting rocks; this was a BIG success due to strategic outreach supported by BZP.
En colaboración con Citizens for Sustainable Marina (C4SM), BZP y más de 40 voluntarios unieron fuerzas para embellecer el jardín comunitario recolectando basura, trasplantando plantas nativas, regando docenas de plantas y pintando rocas; esto fue un GRAN éxito debido al alcance estratégico apoyado por BZP.
City of Monterey Truck or Treat
BZP participated in the City of Monterey’s 2nd annual Truck or Treat and Movie at the Park event. We were able to provide a health option of fruit to the participating trick-or-treaters, and we were able to engage with over 50 parents by giving them know more about BZP and some of our free community events.
BZP participó en el 2º evento anual Truck or Treat and Movie at the Park de la Ciudad de Monterey. Pudimos ofrecer una opción saludable de fruta a los participantes que salían a pedir dulces, y pudimos interactuar con más de 50 padres dándoles más información sobre BZP y algunos de nuestros eventos comunitarios gratuitos.
Launch of Castroville Farmers Market
Thanks to the invaluable partnership with Everyone's Harvest and generous financial backing from Blue Zones Project Monterey County, the Castroville Farmers Market will extend a warm welcome to EBT/CalFresh beneficiaries. As an added benefit to the market, a new $15 Market Match program will create an opportunity for CalFresh users to double their purchasing power. For every $15 spent using an EBT card, consumers will have the ability to of acquire $30 worth of wholesome locally grown produce.
Gracias a la asociación con Everyone's Harvest y al generoso respaldo financiero del Proyecto de Zonas Azules del Condado de Monterey, el Mercado de Agricultores de Castroville dará una cálida bienvenida a los beneficiarios de EBT/CalFresh. Como un beneficio adicional para el mercado, un nuevo programa Market Match de $15 creará una oportunidad para que los usuarios de CalFresh dupliquen su poder adquisitivo. Por cada 15 dólares gastados con una tarjeta EBT, los consumidores tendrán la posibilidad de adquirir 30 dólares en productos saludables cultivados localmente.
Ciclovia Salinas
What a successful event in Salinas to promote natural movement with walking and cycling. It was a great opportunity to promote BZP events with the community and all the resources we offer. We were able to see so many families and friends out together, and we engaged with over 115 individuals!
Qué evento tan exitoso en Salinas para promover el movimiento natural con caminatas y ciclismo. Fue una gran oportunidad para promover los eventos de BZP con la comunidad y todos los recursos que ofrecemos. Pudimos ver a tantas familias y amigos juntos, ¡y nos relacionamos con más de 115 personas!
King City Healthy Cooking Demo
Eating healthy does not need to be boring, it's just a matter of a little creativity! Over 20 participants enjoyed learning how to make a healthy dish in King City last month. There is great momentum in King City and we are so happy to see the community and excited to be a part of BZP and attend our events.
Comer sano no tiene por qué ser aburrido, ¡solo es cuestión de un poco de creatividad! Más de 20 participantes disfrutaron aprendiendo a preparar un plato saludable en King City el mes pasado. Hay un gran impulso en King City y estamos muy contentos de ver a la comunidad y emocionados de ser parte de BZP y asistir a nuestros eventos.
City of King Community Walking Moai Celebration
We had a very successful walking moai in King City, with high number of attendance every week for 6 weeks! The community was very happy to be able to join this event, in collaboration with the City. There were a lot of fun giveaways and healthy foods to try. The community was able to connect and make new friends!
¡Tuvimos un moai de caminata muy exitoso en King City, con un gran número de asistencia cada semana durante 6 semanas! La comunidad se mostró muy contenta de poder unirse a este evento, en colaboración con la Ciudad. Hubo muchos obsequios divertidos y alimentos saludables para probar. ¡La comunidad pudo conectarse y hacer nuevos amigos!
Visit our Eventbrite page to see all our upcoming events: https://bit.ly/BZPMCEventbrite
All BZP events are FREE!
Visita nuestra página de Eventbrite para ver todos nuestros próximos eventos: https://bit.ly/BZPMCEventbrite
Todos los eventos de BZP son GRATUITOS
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October 2023
Become a Purpose Workshop Facilitator!
For the first time in over four years, we are excited to offer free purpose workshop facilitator training for community leaders to equip them with the skills to guide others in uncovering their own gifts and purpose.
Interested? Email genevieve.leblanc@sharecare.com with the subject “Purpose Workshop Facilitator Training” to receive the form to apply.
Deadline: November 20th, 2023.
Interviews to select facilitators will take place in December 2023
Events Recap
Walk, Bike & Run with City of King
We launched our first community walking moai with the City of King early September and it has been such an incredible success! With over 90 attendees at our launch date! Each week thus far continues to have a great turn out. Everyone has so much fun and are able to enter to win various giveaways. Come join us every Wednesday at 6PM until Oct 25!
Community Volunteer Workday at Del Monte Beach in Monterey
In collaboration with Communities for Sustainable Monterey County, BZP, and over 30 volunteers joined forces in beautifying Del Monte Beach by collecting 100 lbs. of trash; this was a BIG success due to strategic outreach supported by BZP.
Community Hike & Wine in Soledad
Our last community Hike & Wine at the Vineyards had great turn out of over 46 participants attend our joint event with CRU Winery at Valley Farm Management. We know how much the community has enjoyed these hike & wine events, so we are looking for new collab opportunities with them in the upcoming months!
MLK Sculpture Garden Opening in Marina
BZP participated in the ribbon cutting ceremony of the Martin Luther King Jr. sculpture in Locke Paddon Park, located in Marina. With over 800 community members in attendance, participants enjoyed learning about the work the BZP is doing in the Peninsula Cities. Attendees interacted with us by spinning the prize wheel or rolling the movement dice that allowed everyone to win a prize!
Salinas Soccer Complex Clean-Up
We collaborated with BZP Approved Worksite Leavitt Insurance Group and BZP Participating Organization, Salinas Regional Sports Authority on a Soccer Complex clean-up. Over 53 individuals showed up to the last clean-up of the year! Such a great annual collaboration and we look forward to next year's season.
October Events
Visit our Eventbrite page to see our upcoming events: https://bit.ly/BZPMCEventbrite
All BZP events are FREE!
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September 2023
We are searching for volunteers!
Join the movement for a healthier, happier Monterey County!
Are you ready to make a positive impact in our community and lead a life of purpose? Look no further! Blue Zones Project is all about transforming our community into a place where making healthy choices is easy and natural. We're on a mission to help everyone live longer, happier lives by creating a healthier environment for all.
Why Volunteer with Us?
Change Lives: Your efforts directly impact the health and well-being of our neighbors, friends, and family.
Learn and Grow: Gain valuable skills, knowledge, and experiences while working with a dynamic team of change-makers.
Be Part of Something BIG: Join a movement dedicated to improving well-being and creating healthier communities.
Community Connection: Forge lasting friendships and create a stronger, more connected Monterey County.
Feel Good: Experience the joy that comes from helping others and contributing to a better future.
To show our appreciation, those that volunteer during our busy season these next two months, will receive a Blue Zones Project insulated tote bag and cutting board!
If you would like to volunteer and help us lead BZP events or any specific outreach events, please visit our:
September Events
Events Recap
During National Night Out, Blue Zones Project had the opportunity to connect with over 160 individuals countywide! We were able to engage with families, share our BZP resources & do fun BZP activities!
This past months' Community Hike & Wine in Soledad had a great turn out of over 44 participants! This joint event with CRU Winery at Valley Farm Management has been such a hit and we are glad you are all enjoying it! We look forward to collaborating on a few more hikes during the upcoming months.
Thank you to everyone that attending our August Purpose Workshop at the Monterey Public Library. It was an enlightening and inspiring workshop. Everyone was very engaged and left with feeling motivated and with a Right Outlook.
Did someone say tacos? Yes, we did! Our Taco Tuesday Cooking Demo at El Gabilan Library in Salinas was a success. We had a full house and everyone had the chance to try some delicious Tofu Tacos Al Pastor, prepared and led by Chef Gerado Juarez from BZP Approved Restaurant, La Cantina Brewery. Be on the lookout for more cooking demos.
Visit our Eventbrite page to see our upcoming events: https://bit.ly/BZPMCEventbrite
All BZP events are FREE!
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August 2023
We are searching for volunteers!
If you would like to volunteer and help us lead BZP events or any specific outreach events, please visit our:
August Volunteer Opportunities
Moving Naturally with BZP
Summer is in full swing, and we've been taking advantage of the nice weather to explore the outdoors.
We've enjoyed our Summer Hiking Series with Park Ranger Tammy at Creekside Terrace Trailhead in Salinas. Join our last hike on August 12, which will also be a trail clean-up.
Seniors from CHISPA housing have enjoyed connecting and moving naturally with BZP, not to mention doing downshifting activities such as painting and playing BZP loteria.
Thank you to the almost 40 volunteers that came out to help clean-up the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex! Great turn out and we collected over 100lbs of trash! We saw some great representation from 831 Niner Empire, Alisal High School, Sacred Heart School, Montage Health, Bank of America, Sunstreet Centers, Salinas High School.
In Monterey we Fleet Feet has been an incredible BZP champion leading another fun and successful walking moai in Monterey.
Additionally, BZP participating in the Monterey Pride by walking in the parade & doing a hula hoop activity! Thank you to those that joined us! We love seeing the community come together to support one another.
A fun day spent at Oak Woodland Community Garden in Marina. Lot's of hard-working hands volunteered to re-plant, clean and beautify the garden.
We celebrated the 4th of July by giving back to the community and volunteering to clean-up the Del Monte Beach in Monterey the day after the festivities. Shoutout to Montage Health employees & the community that collected over 70lbs of trash and over 150 cigarette buds!
In South County, we had the pleasure of hosting a Hike and Wine at CRU Winery with Valley Farm Management. These hikes have been a great hit this summer, always selling out. We have a few more coming up in the upcoming months, so sign up before space runs out!
All these events this past month have been a wonderful opportunity to connect with our community through natural movement. We hope to see you at an upcoming event!
Business Excellence Award Winners
We are thrilled and honored to be one of the 36th Annual Monterey Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards winner! Thank you to everyone that nominated Blue Zones Project and voted for us for the Healthcare Wellness and Senior Services.
This award is for YOU and for helping us make Monterey County a healthier, happier place to live. <3
August Events
Visit our Eventbrite page to see our upcoming events: https://bit.ly/BZPMCEventbrite
All BZP events are FREE!
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July 2023
Walking Moai Anniversary!
Congratulations to the Marina 822 Walking Moai for celebrating TWO years of walking! This Moai is truly inspirational. We have seen many friendships flourish, lots of steps taken, wellbeing improvements and lots of furry friends. Thank you to the beloved Anne Vallone for being a wonderful leader and making healthier choices easier and fun for her moai, which keeps people motivated to keep walking!
Be a Walking Moai Leader!
Do you want to get more involved in your community while getting your steps in? We are looking for people interested in leading Walking Moai groups this summer and fall, all throughout Monterey County! If you are interested, please email cindy.ruiz@sharecare.com
Visit our Eventbrite page to see our upcoming events: https://bit.ly/BZPMCEventbrite
We are searching for volunteers!
If you would like to volunteer for any specific outreach events, please visit our:
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June 2023
Fleet Feet Walking Moai Celebration
Congratulation to the Sunday Morning Movers for completing their walking moai! Special shoutout to Michelle Overmeyer for being an amazing leader. If you are interested in joining a walking group check out Fleet Feet – Monterey and their 10-Week Walking Program: https://www.fleetfeet.com/s/monterey/training/10-week-walking-program
The Seaside Farmer’s Market is BACK!
Blue Zones Project, City of Seaside, and Everyone’s Harvest worked hard to advocate and coordinate return of the farmer’s market. The grand opening on June 15th was a huge success! The market accepts CalFresh/EBT, Market Match, WIC, and Senior FMNP Coupons. The event takes place every Thursday from 3-7pm in Laguna Grande Park. If you want to get involved or have questions inquire at info@everyonesharvest.org
Park Beautification Event at Lincoln Cunningham Park
Blue Zones Project hosted with our community partners Sustainable Seaside, Friends of Seaside Parks, and the Environmental Commission. We had over 65 people from our community show up to clean up trash, learn about pollinators, provide input into the future design of the park, and tend to the pollinator garden.
Summer Hiking Series with Ranger Tammy
We've enjoyed hiking this summer with Park Ranger Tammy! This past month we had the community came out with Blue Zones Project to learn about the flora and fauna of Creekside Terrace Trailhead, all while moving naturally and making new friends. It's been a fun and successful collaboration, this is the second year we do this, and we are glad the community is loving it!
Family Fun Day at the Salinas Soccer Complex
We had the pleasure of collaborating with BZP Recognized Organization, Salinas Regional Sports Authority and community partner, Ecology Action, on a fun family day at the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex. Families had the opportunity to move naturally together by walking around the complex or playing a friendly game of soccer. There were even some fun prizes like a scooter and skateboard, thanks to Ecology Action. We also had the pleasure of being joined by BZP Approved Worksite, Salinas YMCA to come out and support us too!
Visit our Eventbrite page to see our upcoming events: https://bit.ly/BZPMCEventbrite
We are searching for volunteers!
If you would like to volunteer for any specific outreach events, please visit our:
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May 2023
We had so many wonderful events this past month, connecting with our community and moving naturally. Here are just a few of the many events. We hope to see you at a future BZP event (link below for full list of upcoming events in June!)
Spring into Wellness: Community Event
We celebrated the end of spring in the City of Seaside with a wonderful wellness event. We had great organizations and community partners come out and support, including our three sponsors, Salinas Valley Health, Taylor Farms and Montage Health. It was amazing to see the community come together and support making healthy choices easier. Thank you to all our incredible staff, volunteers, vendors, the City Mayor Ian Oglesby and City Council members who attended, including the CSUMB Women Soccer, TAMC Monterey, Ecology Action, Kids Eat Right, Monterey Bay F.C., Tacos California Grill, and Richard Russel Crossfit.
It’s Taco Tuesday Cooking Demo
El Gabilan Library in Salinas co-hosted with BZP the most successful BZP cooking demo yet, with over 38 attendees! Thank you to our BZP Approved Restaurant, La Casa del Sazon for teaching us how to make some delicious plant-based tacos.
Senior Walk and Capacity Building with Ecology Action and CHISPA
We had a day well spent with the residents of CHISPA's Los Abuelitos Senior Apartments in Salinas. We started the day with an educational opportunity that included the local councilmember, transportation planners, and public works staff presenting about the built environment infrastructure around the neighborhood. The residents were able to ask questions and express their concerns. We then went on a walk around the neighborhood and finished off the day with some lunch from BZP Approved Restaurant, Culturas Hidalgo y Oaxaca followed by a few Loteria games.
Garden Day in Castroville
We helped launch a community garden in Castroville, which was a lot of fun and exciting for local community members. Each participating family also had the opportunity to create a portable garden and 37 families left with a portable garden to grow fresh food at home.
Visit our Eventbrite page to see our upcoming events: https://bit.ly/BZPMCEventbrite
We are searching for volunteers!
If you would like to volunteer for any specific outreach events, please visit our:
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April 2023
Thank You Blue Zones Project Volunteers!
Blue Zones Project hosted their first annual Volunteer Appreciation event. In honor of all of our volunteers, we were able to show our gratitude and appreciation for all the incredible community volunteers that support us and join us in our efforts to make Monterey County a happier and healthier place to live.
Here are some of our favorite pictures from our volunteers from the last year. <3
Salinas Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Award
We are thrilled to receive the Salinas Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Award! This award is for everyone who has believed in us and has supported Blue Zones Project throughout these last few years. This is YOUR project, and we are honored to serve our community. Thank you!
Earth Day 2023
This year we had a blast celebrating Earth Day all over Monterey County. We attended many wonderful events with incredible organizations all with the goal of taking care of this planet we call home. From festivals to clean-ups, we made Mother Nature our priority, all while connecting with our community and moving naturally. Events included:
- Tatum's Garden Earth Day Festival
- AMOR Salinas Earth Day Festival at Natividad Creek Park
- 12th Annual Seaside Earth Day Celebration
- Castroville Earth Day in collaboration with NMCRPD, Wahini Project and more
Visit our Eventbrite page to see our upcoming events: https://bit.ly/BZPMCEventbrite
We are searching for volunteers!
If you would like to volunteer for any specific outreach events, please visit our:
March 2023
Feet Fleet Walking Moai Completion
We had the opportunity to celebrate the completion of the Feet Fleet Walking Moai in Monterey. A very strong and mighty group who came together for the last 10 weeks to connect and move naturally. We enjoyed watching the friendships flourish.
Community Volunteer Workday at Havana-Soliz
45 attendees joined BZP and FOSPA on a great volunteer day at Havana-Soliz Park in Seaside. BZP has been working to build capacity for FOSPA for over 1 year and this event was a BIG success due to strategic outreach supported by BZP.
Connect with Friends at 5
Participants enjoyed learning about the work the BZP is doing in the Community of Seaside. There was an interaction portion with human bingo called, "How do you Power 9?" and it gave everyone the opportunity to interact with one another and meet someone new!
AMOR Salinas Alisal Corridor Clean-Up
We had a great opportunity coming together as a community and doing our part for Salinas. We saw wonderful participation from key community leaders such as Steve McShane and his team, Rivas and team, SUBA, Salinas Valley Recycle, Downtown Streets Team & more!
National Take Down Tobacco Day
Blue Zones Project teamed up with Sun Street Centers and their STEPS Youth Program to co-host 3 tobacco litter clean-ups throughout Monterey County in order to raise awareness about the harmful affects of tobacco use. Unfortunately due to the weather two clean-ups were postpones but they will be rescheduled. New clean-up dates to come!
El Susto Film Screening
BZP wanted to increase awareness on Diabetes type 2, share information on education & resources, and create consciousness on the association between consumption of Sugar Sweetened Beverages (SSBs) and Diabetes type 2. The documentary featured was "El Susto,” which uncovers the soda industry’s outsized influence in Mexico, its access driven by deep political ties, aggressive marketing campaigns and abuse of power. Thank you to all our partners for helping make this happen.
Visit our Eventbrite page to see our upcoming events: https://bit.ly/BZPMCEventbrite
We are searching for volunteers! If you or someone you know would like to volunteer for any of our outreach events, please follow this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050849a9a922a0f85-bzpevents
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January 2023
We kicked-off 2023 with quite a few exciting BZP events!
Walking Moais
We launched a new Walking Moai in Monterey with Fleet Feet and had over 20 participants attend the launch. They will continue to meet every Sunday at the Fleet Feed store in Monterey at 10AM until March 5th, feel free to join!
Additionally, the MLK Family Resource Center celebrated the completion of a 10-week Walking Moai, followed by the re-launch of a new one! This is a Spanish-speaking moai made up of a wonderful group of parents who meet every Friday at the MLK FRC at 10AM until the end of March. Let's keep walking!
Purpose Workshops
The new year is a great time to (re)discover our Purpose and we were able to help individuals find theirs during the Marina Wellness Week. We also hosted a purpose workshop for the SVMHS Health Explorer students.
Cooking Demo
We finished off the month of January with a delicious experience, a cooking demo at the Oldemeyer Center in Seaside! We were THIS close to reaching space capacity, so thank you to everyone at attended. Everyone loved the food and it was great to have Chef Rosario facilitate the cooking demo as a Seaside local. Join us for our next cooking demo on February 23rd in Salinas at the Cesar Chavez Library, featuring chef & owner of Dulce Amanecer, Marie Romero. Visit our Eventbrite below to register.
Farm Day 2023
Farm Day in King City is an experience and event aimed to provides basic, current facts about the agricultural industry of our county, gives students and teachers the opportunity to become familiar with food production, and connects teachers and students with other resources and organizations in Monterey County. Thank you to the Farm Day coordinators for allowing us to be present at this year's Farm Day.
MLK Day of Service
Not even the rain stopped the BZP team from servicing our community on this special day. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. acknowledged and fought for systemic change. On this MLK Day of Service, we encouraged you to volunteer to improve your community - whether it's cleaning your neighborhood park, planting a tree or championing policies that make your environment a healthier place to live, work and play.
Thank you to Habitat Stewardship Project of Monterey Bay for inviting us to native plant at Hilltop Park in Marina and the Marina Mayor, Bruce Delgado, for inviting us to the MLK Scultpure Garden Groundbreaking.
Visit our Eventbrite page to see our upcoming events: https://bit.ly/BZPMCEventbrite
We are searching for volunteers! If you or someone you know would like to volunteer for any of our outreach events, please follow this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050849a9a922a0f85-bzpevents
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December 2022
Join us for a family-friendly event on January 21, 2023!
We are hiring!
Engagement Lead: https://bit.ly/BZPMCHiringEL
Relationship Consultant: https://bit.ly/BZPMCHiringRC
November 2022
Our month was full of a lot of exciting adventures:
National Take a Hike Day
Thank you to everyone that took the time to join us, move naturally and connect with the great outdoors that surrounds the wonderful Monterey County. We had 6 hikes throughout the county of all different levels: at Pinnacles National Park, Badger Hills Trailhead, Palo Corona, Creekside Terrace Trailhead, Moss Landing and Seaside!
The Great American Smokeout
This month of November we tied in some of our clean-ups to tobacco litter in honor of the Great American Smokeout - a national campaign to raise awareness about the harmful effect of tobacco & vaping usage. We were able to collect lots of trash and hundreds of cigarette buds. Thank you to all our volunteers who joined us in making our community a cleaner and healthier place to live.
Join us at our Winter Wellness: Run, Walk & Roll on Dec 4th!
Visit our Eventbrite page to see our upcoming events: https://bit.ly/MoCoEventbrite
We are searching for volunteers! If you or someone you know would like to volunteer for any of our outreach events, please follow this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050849a9a922a0f85-bzpevents
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October 2022
Did you know that during some of our volunteer opportunities you get to learn about native plants and bugs? This month at the Gardening Workday in Marina, it was all about planting and caterpillars! Our volunteers have a blast trying to find them, a little bit of Hide and Seek!
October is not just known for Halloween but also National Make a Difference Day. We celebrated with our volunteers by hosting a beach cleanup, as well as a Salinas Soccer Complex Clean Up. We filled many buckets of trash and left our community looking better!
We try to have volunteer opportunities county wide to make a difference in the community all year long!
Our next volunteer opportunities:
Nov 12: Beach Clean Up, Monterey
Nov 12: Park Clean Up, Seaside
Nov 15: Tobacco Litter Cleanup, Salinas - Approximately 40 million American adults still smoke, and tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the country. For this clean-up we will be focusing on Tobacco Litter in honor of the national annual event, Great American Smokeout.
Dec 5: Carr Lake Planting Day, Salinas
Dec 10: Park & Gardening Workday, Marina
In Moving Naturally, we had a Walking Moai Celebration in Seaside! Our walking group started in the summertime and finished strong! Thanks to our walking leader Judi that kept the team together!
We ended the month with a fun Trick-O-Hike in Partnership with Ventana Wildlife Society! We got to learn about the environment and programs that offer for community members! We also had the opportunity to do a fun Pumpkin Succulent workshop with Master Gardener, Julie Lorenzen at Rancho Cielo. Everyone was able to get creative and take home a cute fall season decor!
Visit our Eventbrite page to see our upcoming events: https://bit.ly/MoCoEventbrite
We are searching for volunteers! If you or someone you know would like to volunteer for any of our outreach events, please follow this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050849a9a922a0f85-bzpevents
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September 2022
Stevenson Day of Service
During our volunteer opportunities we have a blast getting to meet everyone and seeing the great work that is being done in the community. This month we had our first for a couple of things! We had our first afternoon beach clean up in which we had people from all over the county join us on a beautiful Thursday afternoon!
This month we hosted Stevenson High School Day of service at five different locations around the county for this amazing volunteer opportunity. We had students in Castroville, Marina, Seaside, Monterey, and Salinas. These students, rain, or shine got the work done! They were picking up trash, gardening, pulling caterpillars and planting trees for everyone in the community to enjoy.
Thank you to all our community partners that made this and all our events possible: North Monterey Recreation and Park District, Citizens for Sustainable Marina, City of Seaside Public Works, City of Seaside Parks & Recreation, Friends of Seaside Parks Association, Sustainable Seaside, Monterey County Resources Conservation District, City of Monterey Park Division, and City of Salinas.
If your high school is interested in collaborating in a service email: bluezonesprojectmontereycounty@sharecare.com
Outreach Events
We were very busy during the month of September engaging with our community. A few of the places you might have seen us at were: Relay for Life Salinas, Oaxaca by the Sea in Seaside, and Back to School Nights across Monterey County schools!
We Stayed Active!
We enjoyed some fun natural movement activities including a Valley Farm Management Hike & Picnic in Soledad and the start of a Natural Movement Series in Gonzales.
Volunteered
Nothing feels better than giving back to our community, and this month we helped beautify various Monterey County locations including, Farallones Park in Seaside, the Salinas Soccer Complex and Del Monte Beach in Monterey.
Ate Wisely
Last but not least, we enjoyed tasty BZP-Inspired dishes during our Wine at 5 event with Tacos California Grill. This was a great opportunity to meet new friends and make social connections.
We also co-hosted BZP food tasting experience with Sabor Latin Fusion in Salinas, where we also celebrated them becoming the FIRST BZP Approved Foodtruck in Monterey County! They have now added 4 delicious BZP-inspired tacos to their menu - a must try!
We finished off our month with a Cooking Demo at James Dean Restaurant in Salinas, led by none other than our BZP Organization Lead and Chef, Antonio Vargas. He taught us how to make one of his favorites BZP-inspired dish - mushroom tacos al mojo de ajo with chipotle crema - a recipe also featured in the fall issue of Edible Monterey Bay! Click here for the recipe.
Visit our Eventbrite page to see our upcoming events: https://bit.ly/MoCoEventbrite
We are searching for volunteers! If you or someone you know would like to volunteer for any of our outreach events, please follow this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050849a9a922a0f85-bzpevents
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August 2022
Summer Moais!
This month we celebrated a Walking Moai competition! The Maskked Walking Moai Group started in Seaside by the International School of Monterey. They have been able to enjoy trails around the coast. The ten weeks flew by, and they walked around 20 miles each in this journey! Congratulations to you all!
We want to also congratulate the Acosta Plaza Walking Moai in Salinas for completing their 10 weeks (and counting) of walking more than 10 hours! The Acosta Plaza community is looking to get more involved and find new ways to focus on their wellbeing. Keep moving naturally!
August is also the last month of full summer and our new walking group in Seaside is here to enjoy it! Every Wednesday at 4:30pm, they will be at Laguna Grande Park in Seaside. It is a great time to enjoy the weather and make new friends on this delightful walk. Everyone is welcomed to join them!
We wrapped up a wonderful Happy Trails Summer Hike Series with Park Ranger Tammy in the Fort Ord National Monument in Creekside Terrace Trailhead. During the summer months, Park Ranger Tammy lead interactive hikes with BZP to teach us about the flora and fauna in the area. We learned so much and had lots of fun doing so. Be on the lookout for a spring series. :)
Purpose Workshops
August is also a time for reflection and discovering or rediscovering gifts for a new school year for both faculty and students. We had the pleasure of facilitating two purpose workshops this month, one for Monterey Peninsula College Faculty and one for incoming college freshmen (CAMP) students at CSUMB. We hope you all use your newfound, redefined purpose for a great school year!
Volunteering
Our community events would not be possible without our Volunteer Champions! This month we had a great event at the Oak Woodland Community Garden in Marina. We partner with Citizens for Sustainable Marina to be able to have fun volunteer opportunities for everyone to enjoy. Volunteers learn about seedlings, transplanting, native plants, and watering! It is an event for the entire family to enjoy! Visit our Eventbrite for the next volunteer opportunity!
We also had the opportunity to participate in the quarterly Tatum's Garden Clean Up where we had over 40 participants, a lot of them students from local Salinas schools including: Rancho San Juan High School, North Salinas High School, Salinas High School and Sacred Heart School. We were able to pick up litter, clean the benches and picnic tables, put new books into the community library and much more!
In Salinas, we finished the month strong with our monthly Salinas Soccer Complex Clean Up. We had a lot of fun enjoying a lovely Tuesday afternoon. We were joined by the 831 Niner Empire who constantly like to give back to their community and show up to volunteer together. We have 2 more clean ups left for the season before the soccer complex closes for the winter!
Ambassadors / Community Event
The peninsula cities team finished the month at the West End festival! It was a two-day festival full of music, art, and community! Special shout out to all our VOLUNTEERS that helped us over the weekend! Everyone was able to enjoy the art bike and be able to take art home with them. We love seeing everyone is smiling faces! We will be at other community events this upcoming month! To find out how to volunteer with us visit our website for more information!
King City Kickoff!
We celebrated our project expansion to South County by hosting a fun family-friendly event to promote health and wellness by sharing Blue Zones Project experiences. We had a lot of fun meeting people in the community and seeing their enthusiasm! We were able to have fun using the spin art bike, taste bzp-inspired dishes and learn more about local organizations in the community. Not to mention we were able to raffle off some wonderful prizes including an new bike to encourage natural movement in King City. We are excited for all the upcoming BZP events in King City!
Gonzales Kickoff!
At the end of August we wrapped up our expansion celebrations in Gonzales! We had a blast moving naturally by dancing, hula hooping and walking around Central Park. We tasted delicious and healthy food from La Plaza Bakery, Luigi's and Pacheco's. El Folklorico Tapatio gave a wonderful performance as well! It was a great way to spend time with the family and connect on a Sunday afternoon. We are excited for all the upcoming BZP events in Gonzales!
Visit our Eventbrite page to see our upcoming events: https://bit.ly/MoCoEventbrite
We are searching for volunteers! If you or someone you know would like to volunteer for any of our outreach events, please follow this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050849a9a922a0f85-bzpevents
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July 2022
June has come and gone, and Blue Zones Project Monterey County has been busy!
This month we have reached a milestone with a Walking Moai group. They started in 2021 and with their walking leader Anne Vallone, they have walked for a WHOLE year. In celebration, they hosted a potluck in which people brought their favorite dishes, and some were even inspired by the Blue Zones Kitchen cookbook. Congratulations to this Marina Moai group; we hope other groups can do the same! It's all about doing it together.
In the city of Seaside, Blue Zones Project partnered up with the Village Project to host a Nutrition Awakening Workshop. We had a guest speaker from Montage, Josh Rodriguez, a Registered Dietician, who informed us about diabetes and prediabetes. Then after, the Blue Zones Project team, leads cooking demonstrations on a healthy smoothie and healthy collard greens and rethink your drink station. Yummy salads were donated by Taylor Farms for everyone to enjoy. We love being able to provide resources to the community so keep an eye out on our Eventbrite for future events.
Park Ranger Tammy led another successful hike at Creekside Terrace. We were joined by a lot of enthusiastic individuals and children ready to learn and move naturally! Join us next month for another fun and interactive hike!
Visit our Eventbrite page to see our upcoming events: https://bit.ly/MoCoEventbrite
We are searching for volunteers! If you or someone you know would like to volunteer for any of our outreach events, please follow this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050849a9a922a0f85-bzpevents
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June 2022
We kicked off summer! Thanks to the beautiful weather we have been having there has been so many opportunities to get outside to walk and enjoy mother nature!
This month we had a great walk with Montage Health over at Laguna Grande! Launch our first Walk with a Pastor with Pastor Josh from Bethlehem Lutheran Church over in Monterey. Some of our Walking Moai’s in Marina have even been able to see whales during their walk! Talk about scenery!
A great way to end the month. We had a great gardening workday at Oak Woodland Community Garden in Marina with our friends of Sustainable Marina! Our clean ups are such a great way to get involved with the community. We love supporting Friends of Seaside Parks Association that while they are planting native plants to beautify the parks, we do a community clean up around the park. What is great about the Seaside clean ups is that you start at one park and discover all the amazing neighboring parks that the whole family can enjoy!
In honor of Memorial Day, we had a successful beach clean-up in Monterey. Our volunteers spent their holiday giving back to the community in which they collected over 115+ pounds of trash and recycling!
If you would like to participate in any volunteer opportunities each month, we are in Marina the second Saturday of the Month. Every third Saturday we rotate between parks in Seaside. Visit our Eventbrite page for more information!
In celebration of Mother's Day we partnered with the Bureau of Land Management and Park Ranger Tammy and co-hosted a hike at Creekside Terrace Trailhead in Salinas. We had a wonderful time walking and learning about the area. We then finished off the hike with a little planting activity so everyone could take a little plant home as gift!
Lastly, this month, we wrapped up another walking moai celebration at Badger Hills! This moai has formed a strong friendship and that continue to walk and encourage each other to move naturally. Keep it up!
Visit our Eventbrite page to see our upcoming events: https://bit.ly/MoCoEventbrite
We are searching for volunteers! If you or someone you know would like to volunteer for any of our outreach events, please follow this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050849a9a922a0f85-bzpevents
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May 2022
Calling all volunteers! If you'd like to make a difference in your community and help lead events, join our Ambassador Program!
To register for our Ambassador Program visit: https://info.bluezonesproject.com/bzpmc-ambassadors
April was a great month to highlight all the amazing volunteers and events we had!
Thanks to the beautiful weather we have been having there has been so many opportunities to get outside to walk! We had two great Walking Moai launch in Marina and in Monterey. This month we also got to walk with Christopher Range, the General Manager of the Montage Wellness Center in the Walk for Health with Montage! The great thing about these walks are the scenery and the beauty of mother nature!
We were also able to celebrate the completion of our Salinas SVMHS Walking Moai. A strong group of participants who promise each other to keep going! Thank you to our wonderful leaders Victor Rey, Elena Hermosillo & Bernardita Avila for leading the walks!
Talking about nature we had a great time of all our volunteer events we had this month. We had a great gardening workday at Oak Woodland Community Garden in Marina Sustainable Marina! So much enthusiasm and support from everyone there! Then even with some clouds in the sky, the Havana Soliz Park Clean Up in Seaside volunteers are committed to help! We love supporting Friends of Seaside Parks Association. What is great about the Seaside clean ups is that you start at one park and discover all the amazing neighboring parks that the family can enjoy!
If you would like to participate in any volunteer opportunities each month, we are in Marina the second Saturday of the Month. Every third Saturday we rotate between parks in Seaside. Visit our Eventbrite page for more information!
Lastly, we were at the Salinas Soccer Complex at our monthly clean-up. You can find us here on the last Tuesday of every month!
For Earth Day we were all over Monterey County! The art bike was able to come out and play for two events! One was over at Locke Paddon Park for Marina’s Earth Day Celebration and the other for Seaside’s Earth Day! People enjoy hopping on and be able to make masterpieces on it! Both events were fun for the whole community to enjoy! In Monterey we partnered up with Foolish Times, Old Monterey Business Association and Fisherman’s Wharf Association for cleanup in which we collected over 110+ pounds of trash plus a bowling ball!
We were also at the City of Salinas Earth Day Festival. We were able to not only clean Sherwood Park, but also enjoy entertainment, music and a resource fair afterwards!
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April 2022
Spring is in full swing, and March was busy all throughout Blue Zones Project!
Peninsula Cities
We started off by exploring a different but beautiful area at Ft. Ord National Monument in Seaside. In this month’s Walk for Health was with Dr. Ryan Casserly! We learned so many fun health facts about our eyes and ears! There is so many trails to walk and be able to enjoy!
In taking advantage of the time change and the extra hour of sunshine, we took advantage and had so many successful volunteer opportunities in all THREE cities. We started off in Marina in a Gardening Volunteer Day at Oak Woodland Community Garden. Everyone gets to learn about native plants and how to take care of the growing plants, we will be there every SECOND Saturday of the month. Then we moved over to a Laguna Grande Park clean up in Monterey. Our volunteers went through the surrounding community and nearly all around the laguna! Every person we met were thankful for the efforts on keeping the park clean for everyone to enjoy. Moving along over to Seaside and let us tell you, our volunteers are AMAZING. Rain or shine they come out to Capra Park and got the job done!
Salinas
During Ciclovia Salinas, our staff and volunteers spoke to over 300 members of the community and received 248 Personal Pledges! We had a wonderful time meeting people from the community and talking about Blue Zones Project. We were also featured in KION and Telemundo!
The Badger Hills Walking Moai Launch in Salinas was a big success. We now have 8 active participants who are enjoying the longer days and lovely sunsets.
After 10 weeks, our Oldtown Salinas Walking Moai has come to a finish. We held a Closing Ceremony on March 18th. Our group wanted to continue the moai so despite the 10 weeks being complete, the walking moai continues!
National Take Down Tobacco Day
Finally, this last weekend of March, Blue Zones Project partnered with the Sun Street Centers in effort to take down tobacco for National Take Down Tobacco Day. We hosted three clean-ups in three different cities of Monterey County - Monterey, Salinas and King City - to raise awareness about the negative affects of tobacco. In just that day alone we collected over more than 1000+ cigarettes butts. We love to see our youth leaders feeling empowered to help their communities.
Our volunteers are one of a kind and we can’t wait to see what National Volunteer Month has in store for us this April!
Visit our Eventbrite page to find out where we are next: https://bit.ly/MoCoEventbrite
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March 2022
February was all about sharing the love with our community and each other.
Peninsula Cities
We started with partnering up with Montage in their Walk for Health. We were over at the Marina Dune Preserve with Physical Therapist Nayomi Monge and learned healthy ways to stretch!
Enjoying a nice walk on the beach with friends and family is always good for the heart. Donna and Anna did that by completing their sunset afternoon Walking Moai at Seaside State Beach.
We showed our community love with two amazing clean-ups! One was at the Del Monte Beach in Monterey in which we were with Sustainable Monterey and the City of Monterey Parks Division. Our volunteers successfully collected around 96 pounds of trash that day!
Then we transitioned to a park and gardening workday at Havana Soliz Park in Seaside with the Friends of Seaside Parks Association. Our volunteers hauled a truck full of weeds to allow space for the new native plants for the park to grow.
Salinas
We had 81 volunteers from Salinas completed 187 hours of service last month! Our top events included:President’s Day Natividad Creek Park Clean-Up with Blue Zones Project Participating Worksites. We had 30 volunteers from SVMH, MCOE, Monterey County Health Department WIC, Rancho San Juan High School, Sacred Heart School, Monterey Park Elementary. A great way to continue sustainability with approved worksites within the community & seeing them lead the way to improve the community’s wellbeing. We are building those relationships and fostering social networks.
We hosted a Salinas Soccer Complex Clean-Up with Monterey Bay F.C. 31 volunteers showed up to clean the soccer complex and meet the new Monterey Bay F.C. soccer players. Great start to our partnership with Monterey Bay F.C. and looking to collaborate with them in other areas in the community.
To finish off the month strong, we completed a Badger Hills Hike & Trail Clean-Up with SVMH Staff. 30 volunteers participated at the clean up with the majority being SVMH Staff, continuing that sustainability relationship with the approved worksite & also engaging with the community.
We launched a Walking Moai in Creekside Terrace Trailhead and we have a small but mighty group of 7 seniors attend every week. They are now on week 5 and they are a true inspiration!
February has seem to come and gone to quickly but don’t worry there are so many new opportunities to get involved with Blue Zones Project. Visit our website or Eventbrite to see all of our upcoming events!
Visit our Eventbrite page to find out where we are next: https://bit.ly/MoCoEventbrite
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February 2022
We rolled into the New Year with great ways to engage with the community in Monterey County.
Clean-Ups
We have done two amazing clean ups in Seaside and in Monterey. We kicked it off at Durant Park in partnership with Friends of Seaside Park Association, in which we not just cleaned one park, but three! We also planted California native plants.
We partnered up with Sustainable Monterey, City of Monterey Parks Division and in collaboration with Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce and Monterey Peninsula Young Professionals for a beach clean-up at Del Monte Beach. With the help and support of our volunteers we collected over 200+ pounds of litter this month! We are making sure our community and the places we love stay clean for everyone to enjoy!
We participated at the Santa Rita Park Clean Up & Ground Prepping, where we had 35 volunteers! Though the park was not very dirty, we were able to find items washed and buried from the rain. There was a lot of clearing out of weeds along the fence of Santa Rita Elementary. Now that the ground is cleared, the elementary school students will start seed bombing this area.
Another successful clean-up event took place at Sherwood Elementary school where we had parents, staff and over 120 students participate! The students painted rocks to beautify the school, cleaned the garden, and picked up litter around the school grounds. We ended the day with fun activities, prizes and lunch!
Thanks to Big Sur Land Trust and Return of the Natives, Blue Zones Project and all of our volunteers had an amazing planting day. We learned about native plants, different soil, grass and water. We also connected and moved naturally.
Vaccine Clinics
We participated in Montage Health Vaccine Clinics alongside some of our favorite Disney Princesses and characters and hang out Monterey Bay FC soccer players.
Walking Moais
Lastly, we began and completed Walking Moais all over the county. Participants share recipes, connect with each other, and find more ways to move naturally.
Incorporating the Power 9 principles gives you the opportunity to find a sense of belonging, put your loved ones first, and find the right tribe to motive you to move naturally.
Visit our Eventbrite page for you to find out where we are next: https://bit.ly/MoCoEventbrite
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January 2022
December was a great month to celebrate and end the year with Blue Zones Project in Monterey County. All of our Walking Moais are still going strong and sharing Blue Zones friendly recipes for the holidays.
We also partnered with Montage Medical Group this month on their ‘Walk for Health’ with Dr. Rock-Willoughby on Dec 11th. Participants were able to enjoy a lovely hike at Palo Corona Regional Park in Carmel Valley, while being able to ask questions regarding their health. Join us for next month’s Walk for Health on January 22nd, 2022, registration details: www.montagehealth.org/walkforhealth
In the City of Seaside, we partnered with Friends of Seaside Parks Association for a community clean up at Lincoln Cunningham Park on December 11th. Our small but mighty team collected over two bags of unwanted litter! We plan on continuing to do clean ups in different parts of the city, so be on the lookout on our Eventbrite page if you want to volunteer! Our next clean up in Seaside will be at Durant Park on January 15, register here.
Despite the colder weather, our dedicated community also gathered on December 11th at Valley Farm Management - Paraiso Vineyards for a morning hike moai. We were able to make new friendships while enjoying the beautiful scenery - all while moving naturally!
On December 16, we participated in the Oldtown Salinas Business Expo Block Party. It was lovely to see people in the community walking around and familiarizing themselves with the Oldtown business, as well as giving us the opportunity to share about Blue Zones Project. Our art bike was a big hit and we discovered many artists in the community!
We have also teamed up with local partners to promote safe holidays at local vaccine clinics. We were at Seaside’s Oldemeyer Center for the “Safe for the Holidays” walk-up clinics and recently joined Montage’s Holiday Vaccine Clinic at Embassy Suites in Seaside. We’ve loved interacting with the community, sharing about Blue Zones Project and spinning the prize wheel.
Happy Holidays and stay safe out there!
Make sure to visit our Eventbrite to learn how you can get involved in January!
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November 2021
The month of November brought many wonderful ways to engage with the Blue Zone Project in the Monterey County.
11.02.21 Ryan Ranch Clean Up | We started off with a community clean up event at Ryan Ranch Office Park, co-created with the team from Montage, to encourage natural movement within the life radius of onsite employees.
11.06.21 Tatum's Garden Clean Up | Our volunteers always have a blast at Tatum's garden pulling weeds, sanitizing the playground structure, and other special tasks to continue beautifying this incredible local play area for families.
11.10.21 Wellness Fair | A well-attended ‘Wellness Fair’ for staff at the Portola Hotel and Spa -who is working towards their Blue Zones Project worksite approval- followed.
11.10.21 - 11.18.21 Walking Moais Launches | November was also a great month for walking in the Peninsula Cities - the gorgeous weather allowed for three new moais to launch in Marina, Monterey and Seaside! Our happy walkers meet weekly at various locations to get moving and make new friends.
11.14.21 Salinas Soccer Complex Clean Up | What an incredible turnout for the last soccer complex clean up of the year. We had great representation from AMOR Salinas, Oasis Charter School, 831 Niner Empire, Alisal High School, Sacred Heart School and Rancho San Juan High School.
11.16.21 E. Alisal Litter Clean Up | An extraordinary result of team work with SUBA Salinas, Ecology Action, Salinas Valley Chamber, City of Salinas and Downtown Streets Team. E. Alisal is a cleaner place thanks to all our volunteers.
11.17.21 National Take a Hike Day | We also celebrated ‘National Take a Hike Day’ by organizing sunrise to sunset hikes around the county including Palo Corona in Carmel Valley, Creekside Terrace in Salinas, and in the Marina Dunes. At lunchtime we organized ‘urban hikes’ in downtown Monterey and Salinas. And we finished off this wonderful day with a sunset stroll on the beach in Seaside and vineyard stroll in Soledad. This will surely become an annual event!
11.20.21 Beach Clean Up | Finally, the month closed with one of our ever-popular beach cleanups at Del Monte Beach in Monterey. Big thanks to our partners at Sustainable Monterey, City of Monterey Parks Division and all the people who turned out to keep our beaches clean!
Make sure to visit our website to learn how you can get involved in December!
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September 2021
09.07.21 Beach Clean up | We had another successful beach clean-up on Tuesday, September 7. We had people of all ages grab a bucket and picker to rid the area of trash. We even found a deserted smashed laptop. The city of Monterey greatly appreciates your time and enthusiasm. Thank you to all who attended.
09.04.21 Lawn Yoga | On Saturday, September 4, we tried something new and hosted a free 45-minute yoga session on the lawn in front of Colton Hall. We were blessed with beautiful sunshine and lots of shade. More than 35 people did series of gentle movement and stretches. It was enjoyed by those new to yoga and the more experienced. A special thank you to the instructor, Ariel Johnson from Strength Monterey, for wonderful experience. We’re hoping to have similar experiences in the future. Stay tuned!
09.09.21 Marina Walking Moai | We kicked off a new walking moai in Marina in early September. The group started at Locke-Paddon Park and then decided to move to The Marina Dunes to take advantage of the beautiful views. They meet Thursdays at 10 am at the Fort Ord State Beach parking lot behind the VA Hospital. Everyone is welcome. Click here to read about the group in a Marina Chamber of Commerce article: https://marinachamber.com/blue-zones-project-monterey-walking-moai-teams-in-marina/
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August 2021
Sherwood Elementary Back to School, Salinas Valley Food & Wine, the Breastfeeding Awareness Walk & Health Fair, and our Drive-In Movie are just some of the events we engaged with our community and were all a success! We love the energy from the kids, parents, and all community members wanting to learn more about Blue Zones Project Monterey County.
Join us and be part of the fun! Visit our booth in one of the upcoming events, or volunteer with us and be the change in your community! https://www.eventbrite.com/o/blue-zones-project-monterey-county
July 2021
More than 100 volunteers joined Blue Zones Project Monterey County, City of Monterey Parks Division and Sustainable Monterey on Monday, July 5 to help one of our local beaches recover from the holiday weekend. People of all ages scoured Monterey Bay Park and Del Monte Beach with buckets and trash pickers in hand. We are in constant appreciation and awe of our volunteers. Thank you for your enthusiasm and devotion to the community!
For more information, please contact Amber Shoebridge Engagement Lead (Peninsula Cities): amber.shoebridge@sharecare.com and Veronica Plascencia (Salinas): veronica.plascencia@sharecare.com
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June 2021
On Saturday, June 5, close to 40 volunteers gathered at Laguna Grande Park to pick up litter. Blue Zones Project Monterey County worked hand in hand with Montage Health to specifically target the event towards employees who wanted to do good in the community away from their desks and/or units.
When neighbors saw the volunteers out cleaning up the park, they came out to join in and asked to be involved in future efforts. Monica Sciuto of Montage Health heard from numerous employees who are looking forward to the next volunteer opportunity.
Topics: Worksites walking school bus Built Environment Schools Monterey County Tobacco Policy volunteer events
82 min read
What's Happening In Policy
May 2025
Help Shape a Healthier Monterey County – Take the 2025 Community Health Survey!
We invite you to share your experiences and insights in the 2025 Community Health Survey. Your feedback drives real change. By participating, you help identify key health challenges and guide solutions that improve the well-being of our community. The results will help local organizations, policymakers, and healthcare providers address the most pressing health needs in Monterey County.
Take the survey here: https://www.unitedwaymcca.org/HealthyMontereyCounty
Food Policy
Stretch Your CalFresh Dollars in Monterey County
If you're a CalFresh shopper, there are three great ways to get more fruits and vegetables for your money. These programs help make fresh, local food more affordable across Monterey County.
1) Double Up Food Bucks in Grocery Stores in Salinas, Greenfield, and King City
Get 50% off California-grown fruits and vegetables when you use your EBT card—up to $15 in savings per day. Example: Buy $30 worth of produce and only pay $15 using your EBT card.
Participating Locations:
SALINAS
Mercado La Princesa Williams
614 Williams Road,- Open Daily: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
La Princesa Market – E. Alisal Street
516 E Alisal Street -Open Daily: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Princesa Market – N. Sanborn Rd
950 N Sanborn Road- Open Daily: 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM
El Rey Fresh Produce – E. Alisal Street
201 E Alisal Street- Open Daily: 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM
GREENFIELD
La Princesa Market
401 El Camino Real- Open Daily: 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM
KING CITY
La Princesa Market
620 Broadway Street- Open Daily: 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM
2) Market Match at Everyone’s Harvest Farmers’ Markets
Spend up to $30 with your EBT card and receive an additional $30 in Market Match dollars to spend on fruits and vegetables; that’s $60 of produce for just $30 ON your EBT card!
Market Locations and Hours:
-
Monday in PG – 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM (Winter: 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM)
Central & Grand Avenues, Open Daily
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Tuesday at WIC Salinas– Opens June 3, 2025
632 E Alisal St, Salinas,Summer Hours: 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
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Wednesday at Natividad in Salinas– 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM
Natividad Medical Center, 1441 Constitution Blvd, Salinas (outside Building 200)
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Thursday in Seaside – 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM (March–November)
3:00 PM to 6:00 PM (November–March)
Laguna Grande Regional Park, 1259 Canyon Del Rey Blvd, Seaside
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Friday at Salinas Valley Health– 11:30 AM to 4:30 PM (May 9 – November 7, 2025)
Salinas Valley Health
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Sunday in Marina– 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
215 Reservation Road, Marina
3) Castroville Farmers’ Market for a 1:2 Market Match!
Thursdays, 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM
North County Recreation Center
11261 Crane Street, Castroville, CA
Spend up to $20 on your EBT card and receive up to $40 free—giving you a total of $60 to spend on fresh produce.
This program is operated by the North County Recreation and Park District in partnership with Everyone’s Harvest.
Note: You must have funds on your EBT card to participate in these programs.
Don’t miss out on those opportunities to stretch your food budget, eat healthy, and support local farmers. We invite you to share with your neighbors, family, and community members!
Built Environment Policy
Help make Monterey County streets and roads safer for everyone. Join us at one of the upcoming community workshops for the Regional Vision Zero Action Plan and share your experiences, concerns, and ideas to help eliminate fatalities and serious injuries on our roads. Workshops are happening across Monterey County this May! Find one near you and share your experience.
Learn more: bit.ly/montereyvz
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April 2025
Food Policy
Have EBT? Get DOUBLE the fresh fruits & veggies! With Double Up Food Bucks in Monterey County, you can save up to $15 per day when you shop with your EBT card.
Look for the Double Up Food Bucks logo at participating stores.
Pay with your EBT card and get a 50% discount on eligible produce.
Enjoy more fresh, healthy food for your family!
Visit one of our participating Monterey County locations to take advantage of Double Up Food Bucks: in Salinas, Greenfield y King City
Visit our website! www.doubleupca.org/ebtmonterey
Share with a friend who needs to know about this amazing deal!
¿Tienes EBT? ¡Obtén el DOBLE de frutas y verduras frescas! Con Double Up Food Bucks California, puedes ahorrar hasta $15 por día cuando compras con tu tarjeta EBT.
Busca el logo de Double Up Food Bucks en las tiendas participantes.
Paga con tu tarjeta EBT y obtén un 50% de descuento en productos elegibles.
¡Disfruta de más alimentos frescos y saludables para tu familia!
Visite una de nuestras ubicaciones participantes del condado de Monterey para aprovechar Double Up Food Bucks: en Salinas, Greenfield y King City
¡Visita nuestro sitio web! www.doubleupca.org/ebtmonterey
¡Déjale saber a un amigo que necesita saber sobre esta increíble oferta!
Need Food?
Built Environment
The City of Seaside is pleased to share the Draft Climate Action and Adaptation Plan—their first-ever roadmap for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, preparing for climate-related risks, and building a more resilient future.
We invite you to review the draft plan and share your feedback. Your input is essential to ensuring the plan reflects the community’s priorities, values, and vision for the future.
Provide comments until April 28th: Review the plan and send comments to our Project Manager, Patrick Marchman, AICP, SCR of Jacob Green & Associates: patrick@jacobgreenandassociates.com
If you have any questions or need assistance accessing the plan, contact Patrick at 206-371-8458
Thank you for your time and continued engagement!
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December 2024
Built Environment
Blue Zones Project Monterey County supports improvements to the built environment that encourage natural movement and equitable access to streets and open space. Salinas’ Alisal Streetscape Master Plan (ASMP) will support the implementation of the Alisal Vibrancy Plan (AVP), specifically advancing a set of goals focused on the design of safe, attractive streets and public spaces that increase access for all residents “whether biking, walking, taking transit, or driving a car.”
Public input has been the foundation of the planning process which has been gathered through community workshops and pop ups, and online comments. The City of Salinas is currently inviting the public to offer feedback on the draft Alisal Streetscape Master Plan. The deadline to share your opinion is Friday, December 20, 2024.
Comments can be sent to Gerardo Rodriguez, Assistant Engineer: transportationdivision@ci.salinas.ca.us List “Alisal Streetscape Master Plan” in your subject line.
The final plan will be used to guide future investments and to help the City secure grant funding for project construction.
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October/November 2024
The Importance of Local Procurement for Sustainable Food Systems
Local procurement plays a crucial role in building sustainable food systems and supporting small-scale farmers. Recently, Blue Zones Project had the opportunity to collaborate with our sponsor Salinas Valley Health (SVH) to enhance hyper-local procurement, focusing on sourcing food from growers within a 10-mile radius. We collaborated with Angeles Carrillo, who cultivates 2 acres at ALBA Farmers, a local farm incubator in the Salinas Valley.
Often, small and medium-scale farmers on the Central Coast grow their crops and sell them to aggregators, who then brand and package the produce from multiple farms for distribution to large institutions and retailers. This model leaves farmers out of the branding and sales process, limiting their ability to build relationships with end-buyers and get fair prices for their hard-earned produce.
However, when small farmers like Angeles can sell directly to institutions, they not only receive better prices but can also engage in crop planning that caters directly to the institution’s needs. It’s a win-win. In this case, Salinas Valley Health (SVH) adapted to the availability and seasonality of the produce, ensuring they could support local agriculture while benefiting from fresh, locally grown food.
A special thanks to Christianna Kearns, and Eric Fierro at SVH for their vision and patience in making this partnership a reality!
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August/September 2024
Food Policy
Support the Seaside Certified Farmers Market
The Seaside Certified Farmers Market happens EVERY Thursday, 3-7pm at Laguna Grande Park, Seaside – YEAR-ROUND! Stock up on your fresh vegetables and enjoy making community connections. See flier and click on links below for some great promotional videos:
English: https://vimeo.com/899311608/03c7eb5080?share=copy
Spanish: https://vimeo.com/899671083/3bc6336e46?share=copy
FREE Produce Boxes are also being distributed at 5pm until supplies last, for people from low-income backgrounds (must show ID/Document as proof, examples: EBT, Medi-Cal, WIC card).
Get Involved with the Monterey County Garden Network
Edible Monterey Bay wrote a nice little article about The Monterey County Garden Network in a recent digital edition. Read it HERE and consider joining our monthly meetings and quarterly garden gatherings. Email mcgardennetwork@gmail.com to be added to the network ListServ and calendar invites.
Tobacco Policy
FREE Tobacco Litter Receptacles
Our friends at Carmel Cares and Keep America Beautiful are looking to collaborate with municipalities and organizations across Monterey County to install tobacco litter receptacles to help keep this harmful waste off our streets and out of our waterways. Collected cigarette butts are then sent to Terracycle to be upcycled into patio furniture! Reach out to tanja.roos at sharecare.com for more information.
Built Environment
Born Learning Trails offer fun for ALL!
Blue Zones Project Monterey County and United Way Monterey County have collaborated with the Cities of Marina, Seaside and the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex to bring Born Learning Trails to our area. These bilingual (English/Spanish) trails offer intergenerational opportunities to support families in utilizing our outdoor spaces in enjoyable, active, and creative ways. See the flier for locations and more details. And follow this link for a great news clip about the trail unveiling in Marina.
Get Outdoors with ParkRx Monterey County!
Visit ParkRxMontereyCounty.org to find outdoor spaces near you, through the searchable mapping tool. Learn more about partner organizations that offer programs designed to connect youth, families, and adults to the natural world. Health care providers across Monterey County are referring patients to the site, to meaningfully improve health outcomes, helping residents in Monterey County live longer, better!
Volunteer to support park beautification and community gardens in Peninsula Cities
Looking for something to do on your weekends to give back in community? Friends of Seaside Parks Association (FOSPA) has regular Saturday workdays in Seaside parks. Click HERE to see their full schedule. Activities include tending to native plant pollinator gardens and growing food in edible gardens (in select parks). And over in Marina, Citizens4Sustainable Marina (C4SM) are hard at work tending the amazing Oak Woodland Community Garden. Click HERE to get involved.
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July 2024
Food Policy
Support the Seaside Certified Farmers Market
The Seaside Certified Farmers Market happens EVERY Thursday, 3-7pm at Laguna Grande Park, Seaside – YEAR-ROUND! Stock up on your fresh vegetables and enjoy making community connections. See flier and click on links below for some great promotional videos:
English: https://vimeo.com/899311608/03c7eb5080?share=copy
Spanish: https://vimeo.com/899671083/3bc6336e46?share=copy
Monterey County Garden Network in the NEWS!
Edible Monterey Bay wrote a nice little article about the The Monterey County Garden Network in a recent digital edition. Read it HERE and consider joining our monthly meetings and quarterly garden gatherings. Email mcgardennetwork@gmail.com to be added to the network ListServ and calendar invites.
Tobacco Policy
FREE Tobacco Litter Receptacles
Our friends at Carmel Cares and Keep America Beautiful are looking to collaborate with municipalities and organizations across Monterey County to install tobacco litter receptacles to help keep this harmful waste off our streets and out of our waterways. Collected cigarette butts are then sent to Terracycle to be upcycled into patio furniture! Reach out to tanja.roos at sharecare.com for more information.
Built Environment
The City of Marina wants to hear from YOU
The City of Marina invites you to share your input on the proposed land use vision for key areas of the city that may change overtime. To participate, please respond to the online questionnaire linked below:
English: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/marina-gpu-q2
Spanish: https://es.surveymonkey.com/r/marina-gpu-landuse-span
Korean: https://ko.surveymonkey.com/r/marina-gpu-landuse-korean
We invite you to share these links widely to all your neighbors and fellow community members. Visit the project website to stay up to date on the latest events and milestones.
Born Learning Trails offer fun for ALL!
Blue Zones Project Monterey County and United Way Monterey County have collaborated with the Cities of Marina, Seaside and the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex to bring Born Learning Trails to our area. These bilingual (English/Spanish) trails offer intergenerational opportunities to support families in utilizing our outdoor spaces in enjoyable, active, and creative ways. See the flier for locations and more details. And follow this link for a great news clip about the trail unveiling in Marina.
ParkRx Monterey County website is LIVE!
Visit ParkRxMontereyCounty.org to find outdoor spaces near you, through the searchable mapping tool. Learn more about partner organizations that offer programs designed to connect youth, families, and adults to the natural world. Health care providers across Monterey County are referring patients to the site, to meaningfully improve health outcomes, helping residents in Monterey County live longer, better!
Volunteer to support park beautification and community gardens in Peninsula Cities
Looking for something to do on your weekends to give back in community? Friends of Seaside Parks Association (FOSPA) has regular Saturday workdays in Seaside parks. Click HERE to see their full schedule. Activities include tending to native plant pollinator gardens and growing food in edible gardens (in select parks). And over in Marina, Citizens4Sustainable Marina (C4SM) are hard at work tending the amazing Oak Woodland Community Garden. Click HERE to get involved.
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June 2024
Food Policy
Double your SUNBucks
Many families across Monterey County will receive SUNBucks cards to support purchasing food for their children during the summer months. Learn how you can maximize your SUNBucks and share with others to ensure that all families are aware of this opportunity.
Need Food?
Are you struggling to access nutritious food? Explore food resources and programs in Monterey County on the 211 website with a simple text message. Text "FOOD" to 831-215-3342 and unlock resources.
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May 2024
Food Policy
Attend an Everyone's Harvest Certified Farmers Market in Monterey County and immerse yourself in a celebration of local flavor, community, and sustainability! Discover fresh produce, artisanal goods, and a vibrant atmosphere that's sure to uplift your spirits. Come be a part of something special. See you at the market! CalFresh/EBT, MarketMatch, WIC and Senior FMNP Coupons accepted. Learn more: https://www.everyonesharvest.org/
Built Environment
ParkRx Monterey County website is LIVE!
Visit ParkRxMontereyCounty.org to find outdoor spaces near you, through the searchable mapping tool. Learn more about partner organizations that offer programs designed to connect youth, families, and adults to the natural world. Health care providers across Monterey County are referring patients to the site, to meaningfully improve health outcomes, helping residents in Monterey County live longer, better!
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April 2024
Food Policy
Gonzales Community Garden
On March 09,2024 Gonzales City launched the Community Garden in collaboration with BZP, MCRD, Wings of Knowledge, Save the Whales, Monterey Workforce CADRE program, and community leaders. The space features a great walking path, large garden beds, and a fruit orchard for all to share and enjoy.
Support the Seaside Certified Farmers Market
The Seaside Certified Farmers Market happens EVERY Thursday, 3-7pm at Laguna Grande Park, Seaside – YEAR-ROUND! Stock up on your fresh vegetables and enjoy making community connections. See flier and click on links below for some great promotional videos:
English: https://vimeo.com/899311608/03c7eb5080?share=copy
Spanish: https://vimeo.com/899671083/3bc6336e46?share=copy
FREE Backyard Gardening “kits”
As part of the Communities for Sustainable Monterey County’s “Our Families Grow Healthy” initiative, FREE backyard gardening kits are available for interested community members. Kit is $300 value, with coaching support included. See flier for more details.
Join the Monterey County Garden Network!
Calling all school, institutional and community garden supporters and champions. The Monterey County Garden Network is a gathering of like-minded folks who care about urban agriculture, empowering people of all ages to grow their own food and increase community food security. Cohosted by the Resources Conservation District of Monterey County and BZPMC, we meet monthly (virtually) and in-person quarterly for FREE workshops and network building. Email mcgardennetwork@gmail.com to be added to the network ListServ and calendar invites.
Tobacco Policy
City of Del Rey Oaks passes smoke free multi-unit housing ordinance
On March 26th, the Del Rey Oaks Council voted unanimously (5-0) on the second reading of an ordinance that would ban smoking in all current, and future, multi-unit housing complexes within Del Rey Oaks (larger than a triplex). This is notable leadership in a region that will be working hard to meet affordable housing goals, over the next several years- And another strong step in tobacco control by the council, making Del Rey Oaks a happier and healthier place to live, work and play. The ordinance go into place in October, with implementation support from our partners at the Monterey County Health Department and BZPMC.
Built Environment
ParkRx Monterey County website is LIVE!
Visit ParkRxMontereyCounty.org to find outdoor spaces near you, through the searchable mapping tool. Learn more about partner organizations that offer programs designed to connect youth, families, and adults to the natural world. Health care providers across Monterey County are referring patients to the site, to meaningfully improve health outcomes, helping residents in Monterey County live longer, better!
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March 2024
Food Policy
Support the Seaside Certified Farmers Market
The Seaside Certified Farmers Market happens EVERY Thursday, 3-7pm at Laguna Grande Park, Seaside – YEAR ROUND! Stock up on your fresh vegetables and enjoy making community connections. See flier and click on links below for some great promotional videos:
English: https://vimeo.com/899311608/03c7eb5080?share=copy
Spanish: https://vimeo.com/899671083/3bc6336e46?share=copy
FREE Backyard Gardening “kits”
As part of the Communities for Sustainable Monterey County’s “Our Families Grow Healthy” initiative, FREE backyard gardening kits are available for interested community members. Kit is $300 value, with coaching support included. See flier for more details.
Interested in launching a food business from home?
Join our friends at the Monterey County Business Council to learn more about how to how you can take advantage of the MEHKO (microenterprise home kitchen operations) law that was recently adopted in Monterey County. An informative info session will be held at the Seaside City Council Chambers on Thursday, April 4th. See attached flier for more details.
Join the Monterey County Garden Network!
Calling all school, institutional and community garden supporters and champions. The Monterey County Garden Network is a gathering of like-minded folks who care about urban agriculture, empowering people of all ages to grow their own food and increase community food security. Cohosted by the Resources Conservation District of Monterey County and BZPMC, we meet monthly (virtually) and in-person quarterly for FREE workshops and network building. Email mcgardennetwork@gmail.com to be added to the network ListServ and calendar invites.
Tobacco Policy
City of Del Rey Oaks takes on smoke free multi-unit housing
On February 27th, the Del Rey Oaks Council voted unanimously (5-0) on the first reading of an ordinance that would ban smoking in all current, and future, multi-unit housing complexes within Del Rey Oaks (larger than a triplex). This is notable leadership in a region that will be working hard to meet affordable housing goals, over the next several years- And another strong step in tobacco control by the council, making Del Rey Oaks a happier and healthier place to live, work and play. The second reading will be forthcoming and will likely go into place in October. BIG Thanks to our partners at the Monterey County Health Department for all the support.
Built Environment
City of Marina Approves design for a new park
The City Council approved plan for the Dunes City Park at their regular council meeting on February 6th. The preliminary estimate for Phase 1 of this project is estimated to be $10.3 million and will be drawn from the City’s approved Capital Improvement budget and funds from the Dune developers. This park will provide wonderful amenities for Marina residents, including an all-inclusive play structure, tennis/pickleball courts, an outdoor multi-sport court, basketball, beach volleyball, restrooms, parking, and a “great lawn” for community gatherings. Things are happening in Marina!
City of Seaside advances Parks & Recreation Master Plan
The City of Seaside Parks & Recreation Committee reviewed and provided comments on a 200+ page Master Plan that makes recommendations on the future of park development and recreation programming in the City. The 11-month development process, led by an external consultant team, included numerous community and stakeholder input sessions. The next step will be going to council for formal review and adoption of the plan. For more information: Parks & Recreation Master Plan | Seaside, CA
ParkRx Monterey County website to launch in March!
Stay tuned - the ParkRx movement is coming to Monterey County! Thanks to a collaborative effort with Ventana Wildlife Society, the Monterey Peninsula Regional Parks District, Big Sur Land Trust, The Monterey County Health Department, BZPMC and our regional healthcare systems, an informative website that highlights all parks and open spaces in the County will be available. Health care providers across Monterey County can refer patients to the site and local outdoor programs, to meaningfully improve health outcomes, helping residents in Monterey County live longer, better!
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February 2024
Food Policy
Support the Seaside Certified Farmers Market
The Seaside Certified Farmers Market happens EVERY Thursday, 3-7pm at Laguna Grande Park, Seaside – YEAR ROUND! Stock up on your fresh vegetables and enjoy making community connections. See flier and click on links below for some great promotional videos:
English: https://vimeo.com/899311608/03c7eb5080?share=copy
Spanish: https://vimeo.com/899671083/3bc6336e46?share=copy
FREE Gardening Workshops at the Monterey Adult School
As part of the Communities for Sustainable Monterey County’s “Our Families Grow Healthy” initiative, FREE gardening classes will be offered to the public at the Monterey Adult School campus in Seaside starting on Saturday, February 24th. See flier for more details and for information on how to register.
Join the Monterey County Garden Network!
Calling all school, institutional and community garden supporters and champions. The Monterey County Garden Network is a gathering of like-minded folks who care about urban agriculture, empowering people of all ages to grow their own food and increase community food security. Cohosted by the Resources Conservation District of Monterey County and BZPMC, we meet monthly (virtually) and in-person quarterly for FREE workshops and network building. Email mcgardennetwork@gmail.com to be added to the network ListServ and calendar invites.
Tobacco Policy
City of Del Rey Oaks Passes TWO tobacco ordinances
Congratulations to the community of Del Rey Oaks for the City Council’s commitment to curbing tobacco! On Tuesday, January 23rd the council voted unanimously to adopt a Tobacco Retail License Ordinance and a Smoke Free Outdoor Spaces Ordinance. BIG Thanks to Council Members Shirley and Hallock for their leadership and to our partners at the Monterey County Health Department and Sun Street Centers for all the support.
Built Environment
ParkRx Monterey County website to launch in March!
Stay tuned - the ParkRx movement is coming to Monterey County! Thanks to a collaborative effort with Ventana Wildlife Society, the Monterey Peninsula Regional Parks District, Big Sur Land Trust, BZPMC and our regional healthcare systems, an informative website that highlights all parks and open spaces in the County will be available. Health care providers across Monterey County will refer patients to the site and local outdoor programs, to meaningfully improve health outcomes, helping residents in Monterey County live longer, better!
Community Townhall on Laguna Grande Park
Laguna Grande Park is a critical open space and recreational resource between the bustling cities of Monterey and Seaside. On January 17th community members gathered to share insights and desires for the future development of public programs at the park. The next meeting is scheduled for February 12th, follow progress and get involved HERE: Laguna Grande Regional Park Plan | Have Your Say Monterey
SURF! Bus Rapid Transit Project – PopUp Event on February 10th
Join us on Saturday, February 10th at the 5th Street Station in Marina, along the future SURF! Busway. Come see and learn about plans for the new mobility hub and envision a future where all modes of transportation come together to support upcoming development in the area as well as existing places of interest like CSUMB and the VA DOD Clinic. 10am-12pm. For more information visit: https://mst.org/about-mst/planning-development/surf/
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January 2024
Built Environment Policy
The Cities of Seaside, Monterey and the Monterey Peninsula Regional Parks District want to hear from YOU! Join us for a Community Townhall about future outdoor programming at Laguna Grande Park! Wednesday, January 17th, 6-7:30pm at 735 Ramona Avenue in Monterey.
Come with your ideas to make this important park and programs more accessible to the community. See flier attached!
Tobacco Policy
Del Rey Oaks Council says NO to Tobacco - The City of Del Rey Oaks City Council voted unanimously on December 19th to put a Tobacco Retail License Ordinance and Smoke Free Outdoor Spaces into effect. This is an important effort to show solidarity across all Peninsula Cities. The second (procedural) reading is scheduled for January 23rd. They will also be discussing a Smoke Free Multi Unit Housing ordinance on that date as well. BIG appreciation to Council Members Shirley and Hallock for championing this effort, alongside our incredible partners at the Monterey County Health Department.
Food Policy
Successful Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop with the Monterey County Garden Network! The MCGN and Friends of Seaside Parks Association (FOSPA) hosted a free fruit tree pruning workshop with Certified Arborist Peter Quintanilla on December 16th at Havana Soliz Community Garden in Seaside. There was a great turn out and the established fruit trees got a nice renovation! Find out more about the MC Garden Network here: Monterey County Food System Coalition - Interest Group 3- Community and School Gardens (google.com)
Support the Seaside Farmers Market – Open ALL Winter! Stock up on your fruits and vegetables in Seaside on Thursdays, 3-7pm at Laguna Grande Park. CalFresh/EBT, MarketMatch, WIC and Senior FMNP Coupons accepted. Seaside Certified Farmers' Market - Everyone’s Harvest (everyonesharvest.org)
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December 2023
Coming soon – ARIEL Theatrical and Blue Zones Project!
In partnership with the City of Salinas and Ecology Action, Blue Zones Project is proud to work with the talented performers of ARIEL Theatrical to create a crosswalk safety message. Showcasing the ‘scramble’ intersections in downtown Salinas, the taped message will be shared on social media. Stay tuned!
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November 2023
Castroville Farmers Market
Thanks to the invaluable partnership with Everyone's Harvest and generous financial backing from Blue Zones Project Monterey County, the Castroville Farmers Market will extend a warm welcome to EBT/CalFresh beneficiaries. As an added benefit to the market, a new $15 Market Match program will create an opportunity for CalFresh users to double their purchasing power. For every $15 spent using an EBT card, consumers will have the ability to of acquire $30 worth of wholesome locally grown produce.
Castroville market takes place at the recreation center at 11261 Crane Street in Castroville, every Thursday from 2pm to 7:30pm!
October 2023
Built Environment Policy
Soledad Pop-Up Demonstration Project Showcases Safe Improvements for Walking/Biking
Blue Zones Project Monterey County, under the design leadership of Ecology Action and the Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC), assisted with the installation of a temporary demonstration project to support the Safe Routes to School planning in Soledad. Improvements include the creation of dedicated bike lanes, re-painted crosswalks, and student-designed delineators (painted horse troughs) along Front Street, between Oak Street and Nestle Road. This is a busy road that connects to southbound and northbound ramps for CA State 101. It’s a popular route with both students and residents because it provides direct access between services on either side the train trestle that divides the neighborhood. The project will stay up until October 6.
Ecology Action and TAMC are completing audits of all schools in Gonzales, Soledad, Greenfield and King City as part of the Safe Routes to School planning. Their recommendations will help inform each city about built environment improvements that support students’ ability to safely walk/bike to school. The city of Salinas completed their planning report in 2022. These demonstration projects not only provide residents the ability to directly experience the improvements, they also are beneficial for cities to showcase in grant applications that provide funding for permanent improvements in the future.
Food Policy
Celebrating Castroville's Freshest Fiesta: A Market Matchup Extravaganza!
BZPMC is delighted to announce its participation in the launch of a farmers market, which will be incorporated into the existing market at the Castroville Recreation Center (organized by North County Recreation and Park District). Commencing on October 12th, the year-round market will feature a minimum of two local growers showcasing their finest fruits and vegetables, all freshly harvested within our community.
In addition to the remarkable produce selection, we are pleased to unveil a strategic collaboration with Everyone's Harvest. This partnership and BZPMC’s financial contribution will allow the market to accept EBT/CalFresh payments and introduce a compelling $15 Market Match initiative.
This noteworthy program empowers EBT cardholders to enhance their purchasing power. By allocating $15 from their EBT card, CalFresh beneficiaries can procure a bounty of produce valued at $30, effectively doubling their investment.
Residents of North Monterey County are encouraged to mark their calendars and make the Castroville market a regular destination for acquiring fresh, locally sourced products. For those residing in other regions of our county, we encourage you to explore alternate venues where you can procure fresh produce and leverage the benefits of the Market Match program.
Castroville market takes place at the recreation center at 11261 Crane Street in Castroville, every Thursday from 2pm to 7:30pm.
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September 2023
Food Policy
Stock up on your weekly fruits and vegetables at a Certified Farmers Market in Monterey County! CalFresh, Market Match and other nutrition incentives available. Learn more with Everyone’s Harvest.
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August 2023
Built Environment Policy
City of Salinas - Active Transportation Plan
The City of Salinas is beginning the update of its Active Transportation Plan. This plan will update the 2002 Bikeways Plan and 2004 Pedestrian Plan and will provide a roadmap for future improvements for walking and bicycling in Salinas, including sidewalks, intersection improvements, bicycle facilities, and trails.
Public input is the foundation of the planning process and will be gathered through community outreach events, public meetings, and online comments.
If you walk and/or bike in Salinas, your opinion matters!
Please visit Letsmodo.org/Salinas to take a brief survey and share your input on an interactive map.
(Salinas ATP is in partnership with CalTrans, Kimley Horn, KTUA Planners and Ecology Action.)
City of Marina 2045 – General Plan Update
The City of Marina invites you to share your input about key issues and core values for our community by responding to the online questionnaire linked below:
English: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XZJ7VZ3
Spanish: https://es.surveymonkey.com/r/SC6H7QM
Korean: https://ko.surveymonkey.com/r/SWXFTP9
Please share these links widely to all your neighbors and fellow community members. Please note, this is not a statistically valid questionnaire; this is simply an opt-in survey designed to gather information from those who voluntarily participate. This questionnaire is supplemented with multiple other targeted outreach and engagement activities, including stakeholder interviews, pop-up workshops, and focus groups. Visit the project website to stay up to date on the latest events and milestones.
City of Seaside 2040 – General Plan Update
The public comment window for the City of Seaside’s General Plan update closed on July 21, 2023. The likely next step will be for the City Council to review. Please keep your eye on their website for further information: Seaside General Plan Update – Your City. Your Future. (seaside2040.com)
Tobacco Policy
City of Marina to consider updating tobacco policies
The City of Marina has been working towards relooking at their tobacco policies, namely adopting a tobacco retail license (TRL) and making their city parks smoke-free. This effort has been strongly advocated for by Councilmember Brian McCarthy, the Monterey County Health Department and Blue Zones Project. The City of Marina is one of the last municipalities in Monterey County to adopt a TRL, which is critical in controlling tobacco sale and consumption, particularly for youth. It is slated to be on the council agenda on Tuesday, August 15th. Be sure to tune in and offer public comment, if this is something you are passionate about: Agenda Center • City of Marina • CivicEngage
Food Environment Policy
City of Seaside Certified Farmers Market
Stock up on your weekly fruits and vegetables at the Seaside Certified Farmers Market! EVERY Thursday, 3-7pm at Laguna Grande Park in Seaside, just across from City Hall. Live music, hot food vendors and a bounce house for the kids, makes this a fun event for all ages! CalFresh, MarketMatch and other nutrition incentives available, learn more here: Seaside Certified Farmers' Market - Everyone’s Harvest (everyonesharvest.org)
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July 2023
Built Environment Policy
City of Seaside
Seaside 2040 General Plan Community Input
The City of Seaside is excited to announce the release of the 6th Cycle, Public Review Draft Housing Element and the Revised Public Review Draft General Plan. The General Plan and Housing Element document a shared vision for the future of Seaside and set the policies and programs to achieve that vision.
The revised public draft of Seaside 2040 General Plan is available HERE for public review now, until July 21, 2023. For more information visit: Seaside General Plan Update – Your City. Your Future. (seaside2040.com)
Hilby Avenue Traffic Calming Initiative
The Hilby Avenue Traffic Calming study kicked off on May 17th with a ‘street experience’ walk and a community meeting at the Oldemeyer Center. The goal of this effort is: 1) Safety for all users; 2) Improve bicycle safety; 3) Improve pedestrian safety; 4) Reduce driving speeds. The consultants expect to prepare a preliminary plan and set of recommendations for feedback by August 2023, with the goal to present to Council in October. Initial construction to implement recommendations is projected for 2024. Provide your input and keep abreast of the project HERE
City of Marina
Marina 2045 General Plan Community Engagement
Want to see the City of Marina more livable, walkable and bikeable? Get involved TODAY! The City of Marina’s General Plan is an important policy document that is required to be updated in all chartered cities every 15 to 20 years per California State Law. The General Plan serves as the City’s roadmap for land use and development decisions and is a key tool for influencing and improving the quality of life for residents and businesses over the next few decades. Click here to learn more: Participate | Marina General Plan (marina2045.org)
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Food Policy
Seaside Certified Farmers Market GRAND OPENING – June 15th
Join Everyone’s Harvest, the City of Seaside and the Blue Zones Project Monterey County as we celebrate the launch of the Seaside Certified Farmers Market at Laguna Grande Park (1259 Canyon Del Rey Blvd in Seaside, CA 93955) on Thursday, June 15th from 3-7pm!
The Seaside Certified Farmers’ Market happily accepts EBT/WIC and conducts a Market Match program for EBT customers to increase their spending power. Ask about Market Match at the Information Booth! Free parking is available next to the Seaside Certified Farmers’ Market or across the street in the City Hall parking lot. MST Bus Routes 20, A, & B exit bus at Del Monte or at Fremont.
City of Seaside focuses on CalFresh Enrollment
The City of Seaside wants to help eligible residents enroll in the CalFresh Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. CalFresh Benefits will be accepted at Seaside Certified Farmer's Market.
Seaside residents can get application assistance through the Family and Community Support Program, by contact Derrick Elder by email at delder@ci.seaside.ca.us or by calling 831.899.6851. Learn more HERE.
Built Environment Policy
Parks & Recreation Master Plan Open House – June 8th
The City of Seaside is preparing a citywide Parks & Recreation Master Plan as a blueprint for park and open space improvements. Community input plays an important role in the planning process, and we want to hear from you!
Drop in between 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. on June 8th to share your thoughts. Attend the informal Master Plan Open House to learn more about the plan and provide your ideas and feedback on the future of Seaside’s parks, programs and open space. You can also fill out an online survey HERE
For more information: Contact Dan Meewis at (831) 899-6821 or via email: DMeewis@ci.seaside.ca.us
Find us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seasiderecreation/
Parks & Recreation Master Plan website:
https://www.ci.seaside.ca.us/797/Parks-Recreation-Master-Plan
SAVE THE DATE – Transit Fair & Family Fun Day!
Join Monterey Salinas Transit and partners for a fun, activity-filled event on Saturday, June 10th from 10am-2pm at the Marina Transit Exchange (280 Reservation Road, Marina CA 93933). Play games, eat tasty food and learn about the vision for transit in Monterey County! Visit www.MST.org/surf
Seaside 2040 General Plan Community Workshops – June 20 & 22
The City of Seaside is excited to announce the release of the 6th Cycle, Public Review Draft Housing Element and the Revised Public Review Draft General Plan. The General Plan and Housing Element document a shared vision for the future of Seaside and set the policies and programs to achieve that vision.
The revised public draft of Seaside 2040 General Plan is available HERE for public review now, until July 21, 2023. There will be a series of community engagement events to garner additional feedback including a virtual Community Workshop on June 20th and an in-person workshop on June 22. For more information visit: Seaside General Plan Update – Your City. Your Future. (seaside2040.com)
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May 2023
Food Policy
Gonzales Gleaning Project
Monterey Workforce Development Program’s GREEN CADRE students spearheaded the foundational efforts of Gonzales Gleaning Project. Urban gleaning consists of community members sharing excess fruit harvest with the community & a group of volunteers that pick up or harvest the produce. The GREEN CADRE students, whose projects focused on food insecurity issues, helped Blue Zones Project with community surveying, analyzing survey results, and conducted the first Harvest!
Marina’s Oak Woodland Community Garden gets new accessible pathways!
Thanks to the help of the Monterey County’s Workforce Development Program’s GREEN CADRE, the Oak Woodland Community Garden has the makings of some new pathways that will help ALL bodies grow fresh vegetables in their community garden. From Mayor Bruce Delgado: “CADRE was great building accessible-to-all-pathways, raised beds, and bench foundations of wire, rock, DG (decomposed granite), and a lot of smiles of accomplishment.”
Visit the Oak Woodland Community Garden adjacent to the Marina Library in Locke Paddon Park!
Built Environment Policy
Hilby Avenue Traffic Calming Initiative
The Hilby Avenue Traffic Calming study kicked off on May 17th with a ‘street experience’ walk and a community meeting at the Oldemeyer Center. The goal of this effort is:
1) Safety for all users;
2) Improve bicycle safety;
3) Improve pedestrian safety;
4) Reduce driving speeds.
The consultants expect to prepare a preliminary plan and set of recommendations for feedback by August 2023, with the goal to present to Council in October. Initial construction to implement recommendations is projected for 2024. Provide your input and keep abreast of the project HERE
Pump Track Grand Opening!
Congratulations to the City of Marina for the successful grand opening of their new pump track at Glorya Jean Tate Park in Marina. This is a benefit for not only Marina residents, but the whole region! It was estimated the event drew 800+ people, with free food and bike giveaways!
Click HERE for a great video of the day.
Marina 2045 General Plan Community Engagement
Want to see the City of Marina more livable, walkable and bikeable? Get involved TODAY! The City of Marina’s General Plan is an important policy document that is required to be updated in all chartered cities every 15 to 20 years per California State Law. The General Plan serves as the City’s roadmap for land use and development decisions and is a key tool for influencing and improving the quality of life for residents and businesses over the next few decades. Click here to learn more: Participate | Marina General Plan (marina2045.org)
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April 2023
Food Policy
As a member of the Nutrition Fitness Collaborative of the Central Coast (NFCCC), Blue Zones Project supported the creation of a tool to promote all the nutrition education offerings for community members in Monterey County, San Benito, and Santa Cruz.
Founded in 2003, the NFCCC collectively works on reducing childhood obesity, increasing physical activity levels, and increasing access to affordable, nutritious food. More than forty agencies and organizations from Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito counties are part of the collaborative. Blue Zones Project has been a member for over four years.
For clickable flyer to access all organizations' links, please email Genevieve LeBlanc at genvieve.leblanc@sharecare.com
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Have POLICY IDEAS to help your city become a happier, healthier place to live, work and play?
We want your input: https://forms.gle/KvUab5m5DrdabXDy9
March 2023
Tobacco Policy
One policy focus of our Blue Zones Project work in Monterey County (BZPMC) is education and advocacy promoting tobacco-free communities. This includes awareness and education for vaping which is both a national and local public health issue for people of all ages. Unfortunately, youth-use of vaping products continues to rise. The county of Monterey has passed an ordinance to restrict the sale of flavored tobacco products and BZPMC continues to advocate for all cities to do the same. (Currently, only Pacific Grove, Monterey, and Soledad have flavored tobacco sales restrictions.)
National Take Down Tobacco is a youth-led movement to raise awareness of the problem of tobacco/vape use and to urge elected officials to take action to strengthen local ordinances. BZPMC partnered with Sun Street Centers/STEPS and MC Office of Education to support youth and their Take Down Tobacco efforts. Students in classrooms across the county pledged to be tobacco/vape free and proudly posed with their signed banners. We salute all of these students for being advocates for healthy habits!
Food Environment Policy
The Monterey County Food System Coalition mobilizes diverse food system actors to strengthen human, economic and environmental health for all. Let’s look at Interest Group #1: Increase access to healthy food for food-insecure people.
The latest Monterey County Community health need assessment (CHNA) (published in 2022) reveals that more than a quarter of the adults in our county finds it “very” or “somewhat” difficult to access affordable fresh fruits and vegetables.
The group is composed of Aspire Health (Yasmine Elsherbini, MPH, CHES), CalFresh Healthy Living and WIC (Niaomi Hrepich), Everyone's Harvest (Hester Parker), Blue Zones Project - Monterey County as well as Mark C. Anderson and Louie Diaz-Infante.
Main goals:
- Increase participation in federal food programs, with a special focus on expanding CalFresh (SNAP) enrollment.
- Expand Food Incentive Programs, with a focus on Market Match and Double Up Food Bucks (DUFB)
- Enhance referrals and provide resources for food insecure residents.
A few months ago, Everyone’s Harvest was awarded a $500,000 to expand Fresh Rx in Monterey County and $200,000 grant for a two-year project entitled "Food is Medicine: Expanding the Fresh Rx Produce Prescription in Monterey County.”
In parallel, Aspire Health was awarded a $1 million grant from the California Nutrition Incentive Program to initiate a Double Up Food Bucks Program in partnership with Blue Zones Project. This program will be launched publicly in June 2023 in four stores across the county and will expand to more stores in 2024.
The group is also hoping to Support the launch of a farmers’ markets in South County and Seaside that will accept nutrition incentives.
If you are curious to learn more, feel free to join our interest group meetings or a food system coalition meeting. Everyone is welcome to attend! Simply reach out and I will share the invite! Visit: Monterey County Food System Coalition (MCFSC) website
February 2023
Built Environment
Our friends at Monterey-Salinas Transit (MST) are studying programs, policies, and infrastructure improvements that could increase access to active and public transportation and support future development alongside MST’s SURF! Busway and Bus Rapid Transit project, in collaboration with the local cities. Your input is critical to the success of this effort.
Participation in this survey is voluntary and the results will be completely confidential. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete.
Take the survey here: https://forms.gle/a6rgvPbXmb9QFN319
The City of Seaside is working hard to put a new traffic calming program into place to support biking, walking and other forms of active transit! This program will help manage traffic speed-related concerns along local and collector streets throughout Seaside. Through an application process, residents identify vehicular speed and safety-related concerns on their streets to the city. To be considered in the next cycle, applications are due by September 30th and can be found here: Seaside-Traffic-Calming-Program-Document_221031
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- Quick Links on the Traffic Advisory Committee webpage: https://www.ci.seaside.ca.us/424/Traffic-Advisory-Committee
Food Environment
March 11th – Community Volunteer Day at Havana Soliz Park in Seaside Founded by Seaside native, Robert Daniels, this garden is ready to thrive in 2023. Help plant the springtime edible garden. Meet new friends and neighbors. Move naturally. Help make Seaside more beautiful in collaboration with Friends of Seaside Parks Association (FOSPA)!
REGISTER FOR THE EVENT: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/540657770947
Calling out SCHOOL LEADERS!!!!
We are hosting a series of gardening workshops for our Schools Leaders
January 2023
Built Environment
The City of Marina is beginning to update their General Plan. This document will shape the infrastructure and character of the City for the next 20+ years! Consider engaging in the process to support a more livable, bikeable, walkable and overall healthy community. You can sign up for email notifications for community input sessions and fill out a survey HERE: General Plan 2045 | Marina, CA - Official Website (cityofmarina.org)
The City of Seaside is collecting public input on the Initial Study of the Broadway Avenue Complete Street Corridor Improvements Project. The project includes the design and construction of a 1.3-mile road diet on Broadway Avenue from Fremont Boulevard to General Jim Moore Boulevard and safe routes to school improvements on Yosemite Street from San Pablo Avenue to Wanda Avenue. The road diet will transform the 4- lane roadway to a 2‐lane roadway with curb extensions, buffered and protected bike facilities, roundabouts, and Safe Routes to School improvements including off‐ set crosswalk, rectangular rapid flashing beacons, and accessible design. Improvements on Yosemite Street will include bicycle pavement markings, signage, curb extensions and high visibility crosswalks. The public is encouraged to provide feedback in helping make Seaside more bike and pedestrian friendly! More information can be found about the project HERE: Broadway Ave & Yosemite St Complete Streets - City | Social Pinpoint (engagekh.com)
Food Environment
Calling all school and community garden champions! We are reconvening the Monterey County Garden Network in 2023 to support skill building, resource sharing, funding ideas and networking opportunities for gardeners across Monterey County. Join us for monthly (free) virtual learning session and quarterly in-person garden tours. For more information email: roos@sharecare.com
Tobacco Cessation
Save the Date to ‘Take Down Tobacco’ - March 31st! Blue Zones Project will be collaborating with Sun Street Centers to get youth engaged across Monterey County through clean ups, public advocacy and education in schools!
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December 2022
Organic Waste- from Landfills to School and Community Gardens!
Last year, SB 1383 was the most significant waste reduction mandate to be adopted in California in the last 30 years. Considering that organic waste Is the largest waste stream in California, all jurisdictions must now significantly reduce (75% by 2025) organic waste in landfills. Have you ever wondered what that means for Monterey County?
The two waste management agencies in our county ReGen Monterey and Salinas Valley Recycles are both doing some outreach and education about food scraps and yard trimmings and those are now composted in Gonzales on a commercial site. The public-private partnership between Salinas Valley Recycles and Atlas Organics allows organics material to be transformed into compost that can then be used to enrich soil and grow nutrients-dense produce!
Curious to know where this compost goes once it is mature and ready?
Last December, Blue Zones Project Monterey County collaborated with Atlas Organics to distribute more than 170 cubic yards of compost to twenty-eight schools and community gardens across our county. We look forward to seeing what will grow in those gardens in the months to come and share some stories from those gardens.
Picture: Compost distribution at Pacific Grove Community Garden
New California Tobacco Retail Law
As of December 21, 2022, Prop 31 the statewide ban on flavored tobacco products went into effect. This is monumental in protecting youth from harmful tobacco products and lifelong addictions. To learn more, click HERE.
For smoking cessation support, visit: Cessation | Monterey County, CA
Take action
Residents in the City of Marina can provide feedback on housing/development, as the City works on their 6th Cycle housing element. Look for the survey links at the bottom of this page on their website.
City of Seaside residents are invited to submit feedback through the City’s newly adopted ‘Traffic Calming Program’ to support safer streets that are more bike and pedestrian friendly. Follow this link for more information.
The BZPMC Policy team warmly welcomes and congratulates all newly seated City Council members and Mayors in the region. We look forward to working together to improve health and wellbeing across municipalities in Monterey County!
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October 2022
Safe Routes to School Salinas Valley – Planning for Safer Streets!
The goal of the Safe Routes to Schools planning process is to improve safety for students biking and walking to 22 schools in the Salinas Valley and reduce traffic around those schools. The Plan will include a list of recommended street projects and safe routes to school programs to improve safety around each school. This will include things like new sidewalks and improved crosswalks, as well as new programs like safety education, walking school buses and school carpooling.
Last month, TAMC and Ecology Action organized a temporary installation along 12th Street in Greenfield. The pop-up included enhanced crosswalks and curb extensions. Among those who will benefit are children and adults using active transportation (i.e., walking, biking, skating, scooting) when traveling to and from Arroyo Seco Academy (1226 Apple Avenue), Oak Avenue Elementary (1239 Oak Avenue), and Vista Verde Middle School (1199 Elm Avenue). The goal of the demonstration is to gather feedback and data for permanent improvements to the area.
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September 2022
Built Environment Progress
The City of Seaside is making notable progress towards improving their parks and trail systems. As part of the Blue Zones Project Monterey County marquee project work, the City has identified three parks in upper Seaside that connect several schools and neighborhoods, as an opportunity to model accessibility, connectivity and natural movement.
They have recently released a request for proposals to help with the design. Learn more here.
Community Input Welcomed:
Monterey-Salinas Transit is actively soliciting feedback from the community on their proposed SURF busway and bus rapid transit line that will help mitigate traffic on Hwy1 during active commute hours. Public can learn more about the project here.
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August 2022
Tobacco Policy Win
The City of Monterey recently passed an updated tobacco ordinance that banned the sale of flavored tobacco products and single-use vaping devices. Their leadership will work inspire other municipalities to follow suit, keeping these harmful substances out of the hands of youth in our communities. Kudos to council for passing it 5-0 and city staff for such thoughtful recommendations.
Built Environment Progress
Blue Zones Project Monterey County partner, Monterey Salinas Transit, was recently awarded a $25 million grant to support the further development of the SURF Bus Rapid Transit line that will help mitigate commute traffic along the Hwy1 corridor. They are actively soliciting community input: SURF! Community Input Hub | Social Pinpoint (mysocialpinpoint.com) Please lend your voice to this important regional transportation project.
Food Policy Connections
In an effort to support local food sovereignty and community food security, Blue Zones Project is working to build a network of community and school garden practitioners across Monterey County. We had our first in-person gathering at the lovely Pacific Grove Community Garden, with plans for many more gatherings to build skills, share resources and nurture relationships. If you are interested in getting involved, email: tanja.roos@sharecare.com
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July 2022
Soledad City Council Approves Flavored Tobacco Ban Ordinance
Following the recent action by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors, the Soledad City Council unanimously approved a Tobacco Retail Licensing (TRL) ordinance on May 4 that includes a ban on the sale of flavored tobacco products (including menthol flavors and hookah tobacco). The TRL also includes a ban on the sale of single-use electronic devices.
Vaping is not a healthy alternative to regular tobacco use and flavored products are the number one product used by youth. There are more than 15,000 tobacco product flavors on the market and electronic cigarettes, often disguised as USB drives or highlighter pens, are marketed specifically to youth in appealing flavors. Youth who smoke e-cigarettes are more likely to start smoking regular cigarettes than those who have never tried them.
Blue Zones Project Monterey County applauds Soledad for supporting this ordinance. More cities throughout Monterey County are considering similar action and we thank Soledad for leading this effort in the county.
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June 2022
As we wrap up our Project Year 1 in Peninsula Cities, things have been busy on the policy front. Major kudos to the City of Seaside for their continued work in advancing food policy work with the recent City Council action of passing a Healthy Foods Resolution and Policy for all city-sponsored events on May 19th. This continues to lay the groundwork for making healthy choices easier, for all City staff and community members! They even took to social media to share the good news and offered Blue Zones-inspired healthy food and beverage suggestions for their followers. Their strong leadership will help inspire meaningful policy action in other municipalities across Monterey County.
Blue Zones Project also completed a healthy food access survey within the City of Seaside and thanks to a collaboration with The Village Project’s Community Health Workers (CHWs), over half the survey responses were collected on paper, out in community. The bilingual survey contained several questions about challenges/opportunities around community access to healthy foods, interest in an outdoor/farmers market, community gardens, corner store revitalizations and more. The survey results have already been shared with several community-based nonprofits, city staff and will inform future BZP food policy work within the City of Seaside.
On the Built Environment front, we were thrilled to help install a demonstration walking path on the campus of Monterey Peninsula College – thanks to a collaboration with MPC Student Health Services, a newly approved BZP participating organization. Their vision was to get students to move naturally MORE and with the help of some great sidewalk wayfinding decals and a scannable QR code with a map, students can easily head out on a walk. We look forward to working more with MPC and engaging their students in BZP activities.
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May 2022
Salinas Safe Routes to School – Temporary Protected Walking/Biking Installation
BZPMC was proud to support the Salinas Safe Routes to School partner organizations (TAMC, City of Salinas, MC Health Dept. and Ecology Action) with their installation of temporary improvements at McKinnon Street and Westminster Drive. This demonstration project was designed with students in mind. The project includes barriers between the bike lane and the motor vehicle lane, which makes it safer for students to bike to Harden Middle School and North Salinas High. Improvements also make it safer for students who walk to/from the adjacent neighborhoods.
The project is up until May 18. You are invited to walk and bike on McKinnon Street and Westminster Drive during this installation and share your feedback: https://saferoutesmonterey.org/planning-salinas
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April 2022
March was a busy month for policy in the Peninsula Cities! We were happy to welcome Blue Zones national policy experts in the food and built environment to conduct site walks and meet with community partners throughout Marina, Monterey and Seaside.
Margaret Adamek, Blue Zone national food policy expert joined us to tour community gardens, meet with institutional/municipal partners and discuss opportunities to strengthen healthy food access and equity in the Peninsula Cities.
Dan Burden and Tony Hull, Blue Zone national built environment experts enjoyed four different site walks in the Peninsula Cities. The first was with several elected officials, city staff and nonprofit leaders in the City of Seaside to further discuss the marquee project that has been identified: an urban trail in upper Seaside connecting 3 city parks and multiple schools. Next stop was in Del Rey Oaks, to walk with one of the founders of the FORTAG (Fort Ord Regional Trail and Greenway) and a representative from Transportation Agency of Monterey County (TAMC) to discuss community and regional benefits of the project. Multiple Mayors and city staff from DRO, Monterey and Seaside were all actively involved in this cross-jurisdictional capacity building event.
We then enjoyed lunch at Blue Zones Approved Restaurant, Aki Fresh, in Marina where we met with MST (Monterey Salinas Transit) and City of Marina leadership to discuss community engagement around the proposed SURF Bus Rapid Transit line that will connect Marina to the Peninsula.
Finally, we walked Locke Paddon Park in Marina to discuss their marquee project, specifically looking at connectivity to the downtown core which has planned revitalization underway. All in all, a busy but productive day! So many great opportunities to support our regional cities in creating built environments that encourage natural movement, community vitality and wellbeing.
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March 2022
Safer Streets Make Healthy Choices Easier
Blue Zones Project Monterey County encourages Complete Streets – an approach that allows safe, comfortable and convenient access for all who use public streets, regardless of their mode of transportation. It makes it easier to cross the street and to walk/bike to shops, work and schools. Complete Streets encourage active modes of transportation and help make healthy choices of movement easier.
Let’s share the road…we are on it together!
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February 2022
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January 2022
A huge shout-out to food policy champions in Monterey County!
In July 2021, the Blue Zones Project Monterey County was part of a group who participated in the launch of a food policy council for our county. Food Policy Councils (FPCs) act as both forums for food issues and platforms for coordinated action. They bring together stakeholders from diverse food-related sectors to examine how the food system is operating. FPCs have been successful at educating officials and the public, shaping public policy, improving coordination between existing programs, and starting new programs.
To create such a coalition different people have come together, and we would love to thank three leaders without whom this council would not be.
Niaomi Hrepich, WIC Director and Health Program Coordinator is a Registered Dietitian and a wealth of knowledge. She has an unmatched understanding of all the state and federal programs related to nutrition offered in our community. She leads the Nutrition Fitness Collaborative of the Central Coast (NFCCC) and she has been doing amazing work in Monterey County for the last two decades.
Hester Parker is a Lecturer/Adjunct Research Faculty at CSUMB and acting Executive Director of Everyone’s Harvest. She was the first to address the need for a food policy council in Monterey County and made this vision a reality. Hester co-founded MC-COA -a coalition of public health and medical professionals, agricultural industry representatives, and farmworker advocates-initiated in order to protect farmworkers from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Her passion to contribute to a healthy food system is inspiring!
Melanie Wong is a member of the California Food Policy Council (CAFPC), a coalition of food policy councils and similar organizations from around the state who work together on state policy. She is incredibly passionate about food policy and has a great systemic vision. She keeps us all on our toes regarding new bills and/or upcoming policies that could potentially impact our county.
These three amazing leaders are invaluable, and we am immensely grateful for their time, their vision, and their passion. Stay tune to learn more about them and their work in the community in 2022.
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December 2021
Improving the Built Environment of Salinas
Blue Zones Project Monterey County, in partnership with Salinas City Center, has created an urban walking loop in Oldtown Salinas to encourage people to get out and move while enjoying downtown businesses. The one-mile looped path along the newly revitalized Main Street, with wider sidewalks and pedestrian improvements, is marked with decal arrows.
“People have shared that the decals encourage and remind them to take a quick break from work with a walk, or explore all the blocks of downtown as they are shopping,” says Jenna Abramson, Salinas City Center Improvement Association.
Next time you are visiting downtown Salinas, park and follow the blue arrows to take the ‘urban hike’!
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October 2021
The first several months of Blue Zones Project policy work in the Peninsula Cities has been focused on building relationships with city staff in Marina and Seaside, who have enthusiastically welcomed Blue Zones Project into their communities.
With Mayor Oglesby as an early champion in Seaside, the City Council unanimously approved a BZP Resolution of support in September and we’ve been working closely with Dan Meewis, Recreation Director, to identify opportunities to enhance parks and trail connectivity in support of natural movement. The City also recently updated their mobile vendor ordinance (food trucks) and we are in conversation with staff to include language that makes healthier food options -along with fresh fruits and vegetables- more readily accessible for the community.
The City of Marina also passed a BZP resolution of support in September and we are working with the City Manager and Assistant City Manager to align with their efforts to improve walkability, parks and recreation opportunities.
Please reach out to Community Program Manager, Tanja Roos, if you’d like to get involved in policy work in the Peninsula Cities: tanja.roos@sharecare.com
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September 2021
The roadmap to safer streets in Salinas!
Blue Zones Project Monterey County is proud to announce that on September 14, the Salinas City Council approved a resolution adopting the Salinas Vision Zero Action Plan. This Action Plan outlines the initiatives and actions that City departments and partner agencies will take to advance goals of the City’s Vision Zero Policy, reducing severe injury traffic collisions and fatalities on Salinas streets.
What does this mean? Although the City already actively implements safety projects, programs and efforts consistent with Vision Zero Policy, the Vision Zero Action Plan aligns with community feedback staff received from other planning efforts and uses data to identify priority projects. In addition to building better and safer streets, the City is committed to educate the public on traffic safety, enforce traffic laws and adopt policy changes that saves lives. “The ultimate goal with Vision Zero is create a culture that prioritizes traffic safety to reduce serious injuries and fatalities on Salinas streets,” says Andrew Easterling, Traffic Engineer for the City of Salinas.
For more information and to stay informed on this City-wide effort to create safer streets in Salinas, please visit the Salinas Vision Zero Webpage: https://www.cityofsalinas.org/our-city-services/public-works/current-projects/vision-zero
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August 2021
Leticia Hernandez Awarded KCBA FOX 35's High 5 Award for her Contribution to Natividad Creek Park
For the last eighteen months, Blue Zones Project has been collaborating with Leticia Hernandez, Xinampa and Mearth to support the expansion of Natividad Creek Park community garden, in Salinas. Leticia funded the garden five years ago and she was recently awarded the KCBA FOX 35's High 5 award for her amazing contribution.
Congratulations Leti! We are honored to collaborate with you!
You can learn more about Leticia’s vision in this video: KCBA FOX 35's High Five Award Winner: Leticia Hernandez
And learn about the project to prescribe a garden box to families for a full year in this one:
Another Look at KCBA FOX 35's High Five Award Winner: Leticia Hernandez
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Food Policy -BZP Blog August 2021
Kudos to North Monterey County Unified School District!
North Monterey County Unified School District (NMCUSD) was recently awarded two major grants to create thriving nutrition services in the 7 schools they serve.
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) awarded them a $67,000 grant to create a farm to cafeteria program. A few weeks ago, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) awarded NMCUSD a $97,000 Farm to School Program grant. Thanks to that financial support the school district is creating a local purchasing program and farm education program in collaboration with ALBA Organics.
In parallel, seven schools from NMCUSD recently registered and started the process to become Blue Zones Project approved schools.
It is so inspiring and encouraging to work with community partners like NMCUSD! Congratulations on your amazing work! We are honored to collaborate with you!
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A Food Policy Council (FPC) for Monterey County
On July 13th, the first official meeting of the newly formed food policy council (FPC) was held. For the last year a small group of collaborators worked together to bring the council to life. Collaborators include:
- Guillermina Hernandez, CalFresh & Nutrition Education Coordinator at Catholic Charities
- Niaomi Hrepich, RD, Health Program Coordinator, CalFresh Healthy Living Project Director
- Sara Housman, MPH, RD, Clinical Dietitian, SVMHS
- Hester Parker, Lecturer and Adjunct Research Faculty at CSUMB
- Tanja Roos, Community Program Manager - Blue Zones Project Monterey County
- Melanie Wong, Chair of Healthy Food Access, NFCCC
A food policy council (FPC) is a voluntary body made up of stakeholders from across the food system. Typically, its role is to examine how a food system operates and provide ideas, actions, and policy recommendations on how to improve it. The most vibrant FPC gathers stakeholders from very diverse sectors of the food systems.
More than twenty participants attended the first meeting, and the next meeting will be held virtually on August 19th from 3:30 to 5:00pm. Anyone willing to be involved with food policy is welcome! If you are interested in attending the meeting or know someone who may be interested, please contact genevieve.leblanc@sharecare.com
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In 2014, the Salinas City Council unanimously approved 68-acres for the four-phase Salinas Regional Soccer Complex (SRSC) project. Developed by volunteers and community organizations, the SRSC celebrates the community’s connection to the game, with the goal to engage youth in soccer and other recreational activities to promote health and positive social activities for the whole family.
Working with the Blue Zones Project Monterey County, the SRSC staff installed outdoor fitness stations (3) and benches (3) with shading adjacent to the walking trail to offer residents an opportunity to enjoy recreational activities and free fitness all in a beautiful outdoor setting. Fitness equipment in public parks is recognized as highly beneficial for promoting a healthier lifestyle without the need for a gym membership and benches are valued as public, egalitarian, and free. The opportunity to rest on a bench can be restorative for mental health and support local walking.
In 2021, BZP Monterey Co. initiated an additional project for the complex. The Born Learning Trail, a project of United Way, provides a fun way for parents/caregivers to interact with children from newborn to age five. The ‘trail’ is a 10‐station circuit course with learning activities at each station and signs are marked in both English and Spanish. SRSC installed the signs along the path and BZP volunteers painted the path to correspond with some of the activity prompts.
SRSC has embraced the BZP principles and together, we hope to make the most of the community’s assets, inspiration, and potential. The results will be the creation of a quality public space that strengthens individual and community health, happiness, pride, and well-being.
Salinas Regional Soccer Complex: 1440 Constitution Blvd., Salinas 93905
For more information, please contact Kendra Howell, Policy Lead: kendra.howell@sharecare.com
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July 2021
Topics: Worksites walking school bus Built Environment Schools Monterey County Featured Tobacco Policy
115 min read
What's Happening In Worksites
May 2025
Mental Health Awareness Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Within your worksite, you can encourage employees to take time for themselves and prioritize their mental well-being. This could include offering mindfulness exercises, stress management workshops, or even encouraging employees to take breaks to step away from their desks and engage in activities they enjoy.
Prioritize Self-Care: Encourage employees to make time for activities that help them relax and de-stress, such as meditation, yoga, or spending time in nature. Creating a downshift space for employees can help with this.
Offer Workshops and Resources: Provide access to workshops on stress management, mindfulness, and other mental health topics.
Encourage Breaks: Remind employees to take breaks throughout the day to stretch, move around, or simply relax and disconnect from their work.
Natividad Farmers' Market Returns
Fresh, Local, and Delicious – Farmers Market Season is Here! The Natividad Certified Farmers Market is back, bringing the freshest fruits and vegetables of the season to Natividad Medical Center. Starting April 2nd, swing by every Wednesday from 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM to explore a vibrant selection of locally grown fruits and vegetables, picked fresh from nearby farms.
They gladly accept EBT/WIC and participate in the Market Match program, giving EBT customers extra buying power for more nutritious goodness. Stop by the Information Booth to learn how to double your spending and take home even more farm-fresh produce.
Enjoy the convenience of free parking. Whether you’re grabbing ingredients for a fresh salad or simply enjoying the lively market atmosphere, this is your midweek invitation to savor the best of local farming. See you at the market!
Discover your RealAge
The RealAge Test takes into account your lifestyle, genetics, and medical history. It has been taken by over 45 million people-to-date and is now one of the most powerful tools in the industry to provide insights on overall well-being. Results have been shown to predict longevity better than chronological age and measures.
The RealAge Test offers personal insight into your overall health, and helps us identify opportunities to better support employee well-being here at work.
Every individual that takes the test can see how their RealAge compares to their chronological age. If you get over 25 employees from your site to take the RealAge Test, we can provide you with an aggregate report.
We encourage you to take the RealAge Test by visiting:
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Register for a free (new) account with the code: BZPMC
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Selecting your worksite (if applicable)
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Complete your RealAge Test in about 15 minutes
Your business can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ worksite!
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April 2025
Hosting Healthier Events
Blue Zones Project® has identified specific activities inspired by the world’s healthiest residents that help planning teams incorporate healthy nudges into their events. To learn more about how to set your events up for success and review healthy event best practices, please review our curated document.
Ryan Ranch Trash Clean Up/ Health Fair
This month, we collaborated with Montage Health and Montage Employer Solutions to put on a trash clean up and health fair. We created this event to inspire employees to get outside, volunteer, and connect during the work day. Montage provided resources including free biometric scans and Blue Zones Project Monterey County provided trash clean up materials. Over 30 participants came out to beautify the space and collected over 30 pounds of trash.
Monterey Fuel Company Health Fair
In March, we attended the Monterey Fuel Company Health Fair. We love attending events at this site because their staff is so engaged and it is very clear that leadership prioritizes employee wellness. At this event, employees were provided with the opportunity to do a biometric scan and received local resources with ideas for next steps. We look forward to future collaborations with this Blue Zones Project Approved Worksite.
Salinas Family YMCA and YMCA of the Monterey Peninsula
Celebrate Día de los Niños at the Salinas Family YMCA! Bring the whole family and join us for a day of fun, fitness, and festivities at our annual Healthy Kids Day Fair – a free event dedicated to promoting health and happiness for all ages! Saturday, April 26th, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM. Two Locations to Choose From: Salinas YMCA – 117 Clay Street or Monterey YMCA – 500 Camino El Estero. Enjoy a variety of activities designed to get everyone moving and smiling. Don’t miss this chance to celebrate family, community, and healthy living. Mark your calendar and come join the fun!
Natividad
Fresh, Local, and Delicious – Farmers Market Season is Here!The Natividad Certified Farmers Market is back, bringing the freshest fruits and vegetables of the season to Natividad Medical Center. Starting April 2nd, swing by every Wednesday from 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM to explore a vibrant selection of locally grown fruits and vegetables, picked fresh from nearby farms.
They gladly accept EBT/WIC and participate in the Market Match program, giving EBT customers extra buying power for more nutritious goodness. Stop by the Information Booth to learn how to double your spending and take home even more farm-fresh produce.
Enjoy the convenience of free parking. Whether you’re grabbing ingredients for a fresh salad or simply enjoying the lively market atmosphere, this is your midweek invitation to savor the best of local farming. See you at the market!
Your business can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ worksite!
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March 2025
Tips for Eating Right on a Budget
Getting the most nutrition for your food budget starts with a little extra planning before you shop. There are many ways to save money on the foods that you eat. Here are some budget friendly tips for eating right.
Cook more, eat out less: Eating out can be expensive. Many foods can be prepared for less money (and healthier) at home. Pre-packaged foods, like frozen dinners and packaged pasta or rice mixes can also add up when you calculate the cost per serving. Find a few simple, healthy recipes your family enjoys and save eating out for special occasions.
Plan what you’re going to eat: Deciding on meals and snacks before you shop can save both time and money. Review recipes and make a grocery list of what ingredients are needed, then check to see what foods you already have and make a list for what you still need to buy. When shopping with a list you will be less likely to buy things that are not on it. To “Create a Grocery Game Plan”, visit MyPlate.gov.
Decide how much to make or buy: Making a large batch by doubling a recipe will save time in the kitchen later on. Extra portions can be used for lunches or meals later in the week, or frozen as leftovers in individual containers for future use. Plus, purchasing ingredients in bulk is often cheaper.
Determine where to shop: Check the local newspaper and online or at the store for sales and coupons, especially when it comes to more expensive ingredients, such as meat and seafood. While at the store, compare prices of different brands and different sizes of the same brand to see which has a lower unit price. The unit price is usually located on the shelf directly below the product.
Shop for foods that are in season: Fresh fruits and vegetables that are in season are usually easier to get and may be less expensive. Frozen and canned produce are also good options and may be more affordable at certain times of the year. Look for fruit that is canned in 100% juice or water and canned vegetables that are labeled “low in sodium” or “no salt added”.
Watch portion sizes: Eating too much of even lower cost foods and beverages can add up to extra dollars and calories. Use smaller plates, bowls and glasses to help keep portions under control. Fill half your plate with fruits and vegetables and the other half with grains and protein foods such as lean meat, poultry, seafood or beans. This is an easy way to eat a balanced meal while controlling portions and cost. To complete the meal, add a glass of fat-free or low-fat milk or a serving of fat-free yogurt for dessert.
Focus on nutritious, low-cost foods: Certain foods tend to be less expensive than others. Make the most of your food dollars by finding recipes that use the following ingredients: beans, peas, and lentils; sweet or white potatoes; eggs; peanut butter; canned salmon, tuna or crabmeat; grains such as oats, brown rice, barley or quinoa; and frozen or canned fruits and vegetables.
Make your own healthy snacks: Convenience costs money. Many snacks, even healthy ones, usually cost more when sold individually. Make your own snacks by purchasing large tubs of low-fat yogurt or cottage cheese and dividing them into smaller containers. For trail mix, combine unsalted nuts, dried fruit and whole grain pretzels or cereal; store small portions in airtight containers. Air-popped popcorn and whole fresh fruits in season also tend to cost less compared to pre-packaged items.
Start a garden or visit a Farmers Market: A garden can be a lot of fun, especially for kids. It’s also an affordable way to eat more fruits and vegetables. Plants can be started from seed or purchased at a low price. Another way to increase your family’s variety of produce is to visit a farmers market. Locally grown fruits and vegetables are often available for less money than at the grocery store. Check and see where the closest farmers market is in your area.
Quench your thirst with water: Water from the tap is a low cost way to stay hydrated. Substituting plain water in place of sweetened beverages not only saves you money but may also help you reduce extra calories from added sugars. (Eatright.org Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics)
Your business can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ worksite!
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February 2025
Heart Health Month
This is the perfect month to start prioritizing your well-being. To help you take steps to protect your heart and improve your overall well-being here are some impactful ways to implement into your daily routine with the Power 9:
- MOVE NATURALLY - Regular physical activity is one of the most effective ways to improve heart health. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week, by just taking a brisk walk. Even small changes, like gardening, walking your dog, taking the stairs or parking farther away, can add up to big benefits.
- EAT WISELY - Your diet plays a critical role in heart health. Focus on nutrient-rich foods that support cardiovascular function. Eat until you're 80% full which will also help you maintain a healthy weight. Add more fruits and vegetables to your plate and include whole grains, such as oats and quinoa, lean proteins, like fish, chicken, and legumes, tofu, healthy fats from sources like olive oil, nuts, and avocados reduce consumption of processed foods, added sugars, and sodium.
- RIGHT OUTLOOK - Chronic stress can take a toll on your heart, leading to increased blood pressure, inflammation, and other risk factors. Downshift with Relaxation Techniques such as yoga, practice mindfulness, deep breathing exercises, or do things you enjoy doing like reading a book, going on a walk or hike.
- CONNECT - Stay connected by spending time with loved ones or your right pack. It helps maintain social connections, which can reduce stress.
We encourage you to prioritize regular health screenings, as preventive care is key to detecting and addressing heart health risks early, including high blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes. Regular screenings help catch risk factors before they become serious problems.
Studies show that nearly 80% of heart disease can be prevented through regular health monitoring and lifestyle changes. Start your heart-healthy journey with small changes that can make a big impact for you to live better, longer.
MST Walking Moai Celebration
Monterey-Salinas Transit completed their 10-week walking moai with the support of Blue Zones Project! Many employees made a habit out of walking and plan to continue walking on their breaks. In total, over 17 employees participated in the walking moai for a total of 341,000 steps!
Starting a walking moai can be a great way for employees to get outside, connect with one another, and come back to work ready to go! Tip: We find that sending a calendar invite with all employees as optional can serve as a good reminder and place holder that yields higher attendance!
Your business can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ worksite!
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January 2025
Moving Naturally Together
Monterey-Salinas Transit recently started their 10-week walking moai with the support of Blue Zones Project. They have already walked over 225,000 steps with three weeks left to go! We have a few worksites in the Peninsula Cities who hope to follow the lead of MST. Starting a walking moai can be a great way for employees to get outside, connect with one another, and come back to work ready to go! Tip: We find that sending a calendar invite with all employees as optional can serve as a good reminder and place holder that yields higher attendance!
A Festive Feast of Fun!
The holidays came alive with joy at our Annual Holiday Fun Snack Demo, in partnership with the amazing team at the Salinas Family YMCA! This year, we didn’t just focus on spreading cheer among members and staff—we also brought the whole community together for some delicious fun for the kids. Young chefs got their hands messy and their creativity flowing as they crafted snowmen from bananas and Christmas trees from juicy watermelon, all topped off with tasty snacks for decorating. It was a delightful mix of healthy eating and holiday spirit as kids not only learned how to make festive, nutritious snacks, but also got to gobble them up afterwards! We can’t wait to see what next year’s holiday fun will bring!
Your business can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ worksite!
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December 2024
Blue Zones Project Worksite Approvals and Celebrations
Braga Fresh Foods Gonzales celebrated their recent worksite approval with a healthy lunch featuring fresh fruit and a presentation highlighting their achievements. Congratulations to Braga Fresh Foods on their third worksite approval in Monterey County!
Congratulations to the Taylor Farms Family Health and Wellness Center on their worksite approval! The team celebrated this milestone with a grab-and-go breakfast, reflecting their commitment to fostering a healthy and supportive workplace. We look forward to continuing our partnership in promoting well-being!
Blue Zones Project Engagement Events with Worksites
This month, we supported at Monterey Marriott’s Wellness Fair. It was great to interact one on one with so many employees, share about more about our partnership, and provide information on the RealAge Test.
Monterey Peninsula College had Blue Zones Project at their Benefits and Wellness Fair. MPC is committed to supporting employee wellbeing. This event invites all employees to discover a wealth of community resources designed to empower, educate, and connect with health and wellness resources.
Your business can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ worksite!
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November 2024
Blue Zones Project Worksite Approvals and Celebrations
Ohanacelebrated their Blue Zones Project Approval in conjunction with their restaurant approval of Ohana Café. We celebrated with a presentation at a staff meeting followed by some time to enjoy free healthy snacks on their beautiful patio. We also provided employees with a one-pager to explain the “why” behind the partnership and showcase the benefits available to employees.
PRO*ACT alsocelebrated their Blue Zones Project Approval. They celebrated with a free healthy lunch for employees, a Blue Zones Project presentation, the kickoff of their RealAge Test Campaign, and most importantly, hula hoops! Congratulations, PRO*ACT, on the approval! We are excited to recognize your dedication to employee wellbeing.
Blue Zones Project Engagement Events with Worksites
This month, we supported at the City of Marina Wellness Fair. It was great to interact one on one with so many city employees and share about more about our partnership. They had amazing engagement from employees and provided so many resources to support employees with their own well-being.
We presented a Blue Zones Project presentation to Monterey-Salinas Transit employees as they work with towards becoming a Blue Zones Project Approved worksite. This inspired their staff to lead a Worksite Walking Moai every Wednesday!
Montage Health recently created a Blue Zones Project-inspired Employee Garden! This month, we supported them with their Harvest Day. This was time dedicated for employees to connect and enjoy the garden space. There were employees’ taste-testing newly harvested produce and employees learning more about how to support their garden.
City of Salinas Health and Wellness Fair
The City of Salinas hosted their annual Health and Wellness Fair. The City of Salinas is committed to supporting the well-being and growth of its workforce, which is why it proudly hosts this resource fair. This event invites all employees to discover a wealth of community resources designed to empower, educate, and inspire. From health programs and financial guidance to personal development workshops, the fair offers a hands-on opportunity to learn, connect, and engage. It's more than just raising awareness—it's a chance for employees to dive into new possibilities, get involved, and make the most of what the community has to offer for a thriving work and personal life.
Alzheimer's Awareness Month
We’re thrilled when our Blue Zones Approved Worksites join forces with our Blue Zones Approved Schools! Recently, Carmel Valley Manor and All Saints Day School teamed up to walk in support of Alzheimer’s awareness. Together, residents and students took steps not just for health, but for connection—enjoying each other’s company and the beauty of moving naturally. It’s inspiring to see such partnerships sparking positive change and bringing our community closer within our shared life radius. What a meaningful way to make a difference!
Your business can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ worksite!
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October 2024
Blue Zones Project Worksite Approvals and Celebrations
PRO*ACT became a Blue Zones Approved Worksite this month, implementing researched best-practices that support with worksite wellbeing. They already offered many resources and benefits to employees, and they continued to go above and beyond. They started a new employee garden, created a “brand” for their wellbeing initiatives, and started a bi-monthly newsletter. We look forward to celebrating them next month.
Hyatt Regency Montereycelebrated their Blue Zones Project Approval with a pancake breakfast for their staff. The HR team went above and beyond decorating the room and creating pamphlets for employees to explain this designation. The pamphlet also let employees know the “why” behind the partnership and showcased the benefits available to employees.
The Monterey Marriott alsocelebrated their Blue Zones Project Approval. They celebrated with the cutest downshift buddies (all of which were available for adoption)! Their Take Care Wellness Committee has collaborated with AFRP for the past two years, and it has even sparked some employee adoptions. Congratulations, Monterey Marriott, on the approval! We are excited to recognize your dedication to employee wellbeing.
Blue Zones Project Engagement Events with Worksites
Monterey County Office of Education hosted their “Fall into Wellness Health & Wellness Fair,” offering free educational resources for their employees, staff, and their entire family. Blue Zones Project had a great time participating by sharing delicious recipes and how to participate in the Real Age Test.
We presented a Blue Zones Project Story Speech to Esalen Institute employees as they work with towards becoming a Blue Zones Project Approved worksite. They are already doing so much to support employee wellbeing, and we hope to recognize them soon!
Montage Health, City of Pacific Grove, and the Monterey Plaza Hotel and Spa invited Blue Zones Project to support with their Employee Health Fairs. We enjoyed sharing resources, including the RealAge test, and connecting with the employees.
Montage Health recently created a Blue Zones Project-inspired Employee Garden! This month, we supported them with their Dig Day. This was time dedicated for employees to connect and enjoy the garden space. There were employees’ taste-testing newly harvested produce and employees learning more about how to support their garden.
Ocean Mist invited Blue Zones Project to join them at their Employee Picnic Day. It was a fun-filled day of great music, food, fun games, and resources provided by health and well-being partners. Blue Zones Project enjoyed connecting with families and moving naturally with the art bike.
Your business can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ worksite!
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September 2024
Best Practice
One of the best practices that we share with the worksites that partner with us is the benefit of having a wellness committee on site. A team can help make sure that more voices are represented. It also helps to distribute the work across multiple people, so it never feels like a heavy lift. This helps with the sustainability of current wellbeing best practices and the implementation of new ones. Please reach out to our team if you need support or have worksite wellness goals that you would like help reaching!
NEW BZP Approved Worksite
Hyatt Regency Monterey became a Blue Zones Project Approved Worksite in August! Their leadership buy-in and HR support allowed Hyatt Regency Monterey to be approved with the most points of any of our approved worksites! They went above and beyond to prioritize employee health and wellbeing. We look forward to celebrating with them soon!
Monterey County Office of Education will be hosting their “Fall into Wellness Health & Wellness Fair,” on Thursday, September 26th from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm located at 901 Blanco Circle in Salinas. Join them for a free educational and fun event for the entire family with great resources, prizes and goodies.
Your business can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ worksite!
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August 2024
NEW Blue Zones Project Worksite Approvals
Monterey Peninsula College is now the sixtieth Blue Zones Approved Worksite in Monterey County. They implemented many researched best practices to support employee health and wellbeing. If you’re ever on campus, check out their beautiful walking path through the trees. The QR code takes you to the AllTrails website and can lead you on different length walks. The on-site restaurant, Peninsula Café, is a Blue Zones Approved Restaurant and MPC Student Services is a recognized participating organization. It is very fitting that MPC is officially a Blue Zones Approved Worksite.
This month, the Monterey Marriott also received designation as a Blue Zones Project Approved Worksite! They are the sixty-first worksite in Monterey County and the third hospitality site in Monterey County. The Monterey Marriott went above and beyond to take care of staff through engagement events, benefits, and making small changes in the physical environment to help make healthy choices easier. We are excited to celebrate them soon!
BZP Engagement Events with Worksites
PRO*ACT is working towards becoming a Blue Zones Approved Worksite and had a Blue Zones Project Story Speech for staff this month. They have an amazing health and wellness council that has been working to implement new wellbeing initiatives and share with staff about benefits/ resources that are free and available to them.
Blue Zones staff had a great time participating at the Braga Fresh Foods health and wellness fair. Braga Fresh Foods provided biometrics, health and wellness resources, an array of vegetables for their employees to take home and were entered in a raffle filled with some great prizes that aligned with moving naturally and eating wisely. Blue Zones was able to engage with over 200 employees sharing the Real Age Test, and fun resources to move naturally and connect with nature. Thank, you Braga Fresh Foods, for having us!
Rancho Cielo 2024 Veggie Box Volunteers
If you are still looking for ways to give back to our community, your worksite can volunteer at one of our Blue Zones Approved Worksites. Rancho Cielo can use your help in packing veggie boxes full of Salinas Valley freshest fruits and vegetables on August 20th and August 21st from 8:00am to 12:00 pm. Lunch will be provided! Rancho Cielo Youth Campus is located at 710 Old Stage Road, Salinas, CA 93908. If you are interested and/or have any questions, please contact, Sandra Moore at smoore@ranchocieloyc.org (831) 444-3523. Join the fun by making a difference in our community.
Your business can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ worksite!
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July 2024
Blue Zones Project Worksite Approval Celebrations
Corral de Tierra Country Club celebrated becoming a Blue Zones Project Approved Worksite during their Employee Summer Pool gathering with families. Integrating the Power 9 with plant slant, loved ones first, positive pack, and move naturally, they enjoyed an afternoon of swimming, fun activities, and delicious food. Congratulations Corral de Tierra Country Club.
Blue Zones Project Engagement Events with Worksites
Montage Health started an inter-departmental employee garden! They took a section of their parking lot and converted it into a space where employees can enjoy some time outdoors, move naturally, and learn more about what they are eating. Different departments get to sponsor a box. It was great to see the team building already happening as they decided what to plant and where to plant it. Employees even seem excited to have team meetings in the garden and to harvest the produce and do a potluck together! Big shoutout to Yasmine Elsherbini for bringing this vision to life! See the before and after pictures!
Rancho Cielo 2024 Veggie Box Volunteers
Is your worksite looking for opportunities to give back or team building ideas? How about volunteering at one of our Blue Zones Project Approved Worksites. Rancho Cielo is looking for help in packing veggie boxes full of Salinas Valley freshest fruits and vegetables on August 20th and August 21st from 8:00am to 12:00 pm. Lunch will be provided! Rancho Cielo Youth Campus is located at 710 Old Stage Road, Salinas, CA 93908. If you are interested and/or have any questions, please contact, Sandra Moore at smoore@ranchocieloyc.org (831) 444-3523. Come out and enjoy making a difference in our community with your colleagues!
Your business can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ worksite!
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June 2024
Blue Zones Project Worksite Approvals
Congratulations Corral de Tierra Country Club in becoming a Blue Zones Project Approved Worksite this month! They are the ninth worksite to reach approval in the County Project. “It was important for us to become a Blue Zone Approved worksite to build employee morale and to make Corral a healthier, more enjoyable place to work. We strive to be our Members Home away from Home, but this is also a home away from home for all the employees who dedicate much of their time and life here,” Monica Sardina, Recreation and Fitness Coordinator. Thank you, Corral de Tierra Country Club, for prioritizing the health and well-being of your employees.
Blue Zones Project Worksite Approval Celebrations
CSUMB University Corporation celebrated becoming a Blue Zones Project Approved Worksite at their employee garden launch! They revamped their outdoor space to create a spot where employees could downshift while at work. Their employee garden is pizza-themed, so we can’t wait to hear about all the social events that come out of growing their own supplies. "Wellness is at the core of everything we do, and working with Blue Zone Project has helped bring employee wellness initiatives to the forefront here at University Corporation. Having support from an outside organization, with clear measurables and metrics, has made it easy and attainable to reach our wellness goals. It's been a pleasure collaborating with Blue Zone Project, and we are so excited to be listed as a BZP Approved Worksite." – Audrey Oswald, HR Specialist.
Blue Zones Project Engagement Events with Worksites
Cypress Healthcare Partners had a plant-based cooking demo that was on-site and streamed for remote employees. Chef Ignacio from La Casa Del Sazon showed employees how to make Tacos Poblanos, and everyone got to sample the recipe. Cypress Healthcare Partners is doing a challenge for employees to try to make the recipe on their own to be entered into a raffle! We can’t wait to see what they make!
Carmel Unified School District had a Blue Zones Project lunch and learn to see if the site was on board with becoming a Blue Zones Approved Worksite. They had employees bring materials for a salad potluck that was a huge success!
We presented a Blue Zones Project Story Speech to PRO*ACT’s Wellness Committee to see if working with Blue Zones Project was a good fit. They are already doing so much to support employee wellbeing and we hope to recognize them soon!
Your business can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ worksite!
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May 2024
Employee Wellness
Employee wellness is critical when thinking about retention and recruitment. Having wellness healthy activities that are engaging and build interpersonal connections can be a good starting place. Some examples can include a wellness challenge, healthy potluck, group volunteer activity, taking a walking meeting, going on a group walk, or a lunch and learn with a wellness topic. There are lots of creative ways to engage your staff in finding their purpose, creating connection, eating wisely, and moving naturally.
Braga Fresh Foods Spreckels
We had an amazing time celebrating Braga Fresh Foods Spreckels as the 9th Blue Zones Project Approved Worksite in our County Project this month making it their second facility to be approved. They are committed to continue to improve the health and wellbeing of their employees.
“Our (Braga) team members spend a good portion of their time each day at our Spreckels worksite location. It is important that we maintain an environment that inspires everyone to not only work productively, but that fosters a healthy atmosphere of collaboration, self-fulfillment and overall well-being…both professionally and personally.” – Colby Pereira, Chief Operating Officer
Aspire Health Cooking Demo
On Aprill 11, Goi from Thai is Fun led a cooking demonstration for Aspire Health staff in Monterey. Goi prepared flavorful stir-fried ginger mushroom with tofu. Attendees learned about the health benefits of the ingredients used and enjoyed sampling the dish. Thai is Fun is a newly recognized Participating Organization that offers fun and interactive Thai cooking classes. To learn more about Thai is Fun, check out thaiisfun.com.
Marina Coast Water Global Service Day
This month, Marina Coast Water District celebrated Earth Day by beautifying the outside of the Veteran’s Transition Center. They had about forty people, including one of their board members, out mowing lawn, removing ice plant and weeds, and cleaning up the space for their back garden. Volunteering as a worksite is an amazing way to support the community and create internal connections between employees. Thank you, Marina Coast Water District!
Carmel Valley Manor Gets Running
Carmel Valley Manor was excited to move naturally with their staff by participating in the Big Sur International 5k on April 28th! They had a blast connecting with each other and all the participants feeling the energy of such a positive pack! Congratulations to the Carmel Valley Manor Staff for their growing staff participation in the Big Sur International 5k for the 2nd year!
Your business can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ worksite!
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April 2024
April 22nd is Earth Day!
There is still time to promote a volunteer event at your worksite if you haven’t already. Promoting volunteer events and/or having a global service day help your employees connect with each other and their community. Some of our Blue Zones Approved Worksites plan to wear their branded shirts to our events and/or create their own events!
Worksite Walking Break Challenge Winners!
We wrapped up our worksite walking break challenge in February for Heart Health Month. It was great to see participation from worksites across Monterey County. Congratulations to the winners!
Winners:
- Elaine T. (Marina Coast Water District)
- Tobias O. (Marina Coast Water District)
- Lilly Serrano (Pacific Valley Bank)
- Jorge Ramos (Natividad)
- Carolyn Fisher (Natividad)
- Noemi Breig (Natividad)
- Telisa Rios (MCOE)
- Gina Rosas (MCOE)
- Liz Wiles (MCOE)
Ohana became a Blue Zones Project Approved Worksite
This past month, Ohana became a BZP Approved Worksite, reaching 101 points! That is the most points of any worksite across Monterey County. Congratulations to Ohana and thank you for prioritizing the health and well-being of your employees.
Biometric Screening
Monterey Fuel Company had their annual biometric screening this month. Blue Zones Project was able to engage 1:1 with staff, pass out Blue Zones Project events, and hear stories of the impact their health and wellbeing initiatives have had on the staff. Thank you, Monterey Fuel Company, for having us!
BZP Presentation
Blue Zones Project Monterey County delivered a Story Speech to Hyatt Regency Monterey’s Leadership. The leadership team learned about Blue Zones Project and the impact it has had on our county. The team was also able to share individualized feedback on what they would love to see/ what would be most impactful on site in terms of employee wellbeing. We’re looking forward to the partnership!
Staff Planting Day
With planting season here, Carmel Valley Manor wanted to spruce up their garden by hosting a fun staff planting seed day. They offered two different times to fit into everyone’s schedule to participate. Did you know on-site gardens are a great way to incorporate physical activity, relieve stress, increase team building and stimulate volunteer experience? The gardens can supply fresh herbs and vegetables and flowers, to take home, or can be implemented into dishes from an on-site cafeteria, and/ or use in healthy cooking dishes at work. Staff enjoyed the beautiful day connecting as they planted seeds in their employee greenhouse.
Your business can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ worksite!
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March 2024
Worksite Walking Break Challenge
We wrapped up our worksite walking break challenge for Heart Health Month. It was great to see participation from worksites across Monterey County. If you participated, make sure to send us your tracker. We will be raffling off prizes to participants and acknowledging worksites with the most participants. We’re excited to see all the wonderful individuals that prioritized movement and downshifting throughout their day. Winners to be announced in next month’s newsletter.
BZP Luncheon
Blue Zones Project Monterey County gave a presentation last month at the Monterey County Hospitality Association Luncheon. It was great to connect with the hospitality spaces and business owners in Monterey County to see what a potential partnership could look like. We’re thankful for the opportunity and excited to see what’s to come!
BZP Presentation
Doctors on Duty – Lighthouse had Blue Zones Project Monterey County come speak. We shared with new colleagues what it means to be a BZP Approved Worksite and all the wonderful initiatives that are going on at their site/ throughout the county. The manager, Michelle Rhodes, also provided her staff with lunch from a BZP Approved Restaurant, Zab Zab Thai
Your business can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ worksite!
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February 2024
February is National Heart Health Month. During February, people are encouraged to focus on their cardiovascular health and take preventative measures to promote heart health. Heart disease is the number one killer of Americans. Since roughly one-third of our day is spent at work, it’s important that your worksite environment supports making healthy choices. Below you will find a challenge designed by Blue Zones Project to support heart health at your worksite:
Worksite Walking Break Challenge in February for National Heart Health Month!
Employees will have the opportunity to participate in our upcoming steps/walking challenge for a chance to win prizes! Walking provides many health benefits. It can help lose weight, get fit, boost your mood, and so much more! Please contact Larisa at larisa.sheparovich@sharecare.com if you would like to be sent the materials for your site to participate.
Lunch and Learn: Lactation Accommodation Training
Lactation rooms in the workplace are essential for working mothers who want to continue breastfeeding their babies after returning to work. Learn the importance & guidelines in providing a private space in accommodating lactation at your worksite. You are invited to attend a free lunch and learn on Lactation Accommodation on-line training Thursday, February 8th, 2024 from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm. Details and link below:
Natividad in partnership with Blue Zones Project and Salinas Regional Soccer Complex hosted their first Walk and Learn in January, led by Dr. Arias from Natividad Hospital. She shared on the importance and tips on “how to get a healthy start in the New Year.” Everyone enjoyed the great discussion and beautiful weather during their walk.
Blue Zones Project will be presenting at the Monterey County Hospitality Association Membership Luncheon on February 22nd. Quarterly Membership Lunch - Monterey County Hospitality Association (mcha.net)
The staff at Chartwell School in Seaside is prioritizing employee wellness and working towards becoming Blue Zones Project Approved. This month, they had Blue Zones Project come in to share more about the work that is going on in the community as well as the wellbeing initiatives implemented on their site to support their wellbeing. Ultimately, happier employees lead to happier students.
Your business can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ worksite!
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January 2024
Lunch and Learn: Lactation Accommodation Training
Lactation rooms in the workplace are essential for working mothers who want to continue breastfeeding their babies after returning to work. Learn the importance & guidelines in providing a private space in accommodating lactation at your worksite. You are invited to attend a free lunch and learn on Lactation Accommodation on-line training Thursday, February 8th, 2024, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm. Details and link below:
Salinas Family YMCA Healthy Holiday Snack Food Demonstration
Blue Zones Project Monterey County had such a great time leading a Holiday Snack Food Demonstration with one of our BZP Approved Worksites, Salinas Family YMCA. Our participants were as young as 5 years old up to 12 years old. They had a blast learning to make Grinch fruit Kabobs and Celery Reindeer. Eating wisely is an important aspect of health, so finding easy, creative, and fun ways to make snacks makes it easier for children to try a new fruit or veggie.
CSUMB University Corporation became a Blue Zones Approved Worksite!
To showcase their commitment to employee well-being, CSUMB University Corporation implemented a variety of best practices to make healthy choices easier for our staff. These initiatives include providing ergonomic assessments and resources to employees, offering special blue zones parking for employees to encourage more natural movement, providing an amazing downshift room that the employees can utilize during their breaks, and more. With a high percentage of Monterey County residents diagnosed with diabetes, they also prioritized offering biometric screening to support employees’ health and wellness goals.
Coming soon! Worksite Challenge in February for National Heart Health Month! Employees will have the opportunity to participate in our upcoming steps/walking challenge for a chance to win prizes! Walking provides many health benefits. It can help lose weight, get fit, boost mood and so much more!
Your business can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ worksite!
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December 2023
Worksite Wellbeing Practices
We spend about 1/3 of our day at work, so it is important to create an environment of belonging and foster a culture of understanding. Creating connection within the workplace can take many different forms.
Here are some best practices that we’ve seen from our worksites:
- implement onsite activities or social gatherings
- organize social gatherings that include family
- implement a well-being advisory committee
- provide communication opportunities for employees to share
- create a gratitude or shout-out board
- start each meeting with a wellbeing questions (examples: What have you done or what do you plan to do to downshift today? In what ways can you use your gifts at work? How do you find purpose in your work? What do you look forward to about going to work every day? How do you strike a healthy work-life balance?).
While it may feel like you’re taking time out of your day to create these connections, research has shown that employees will have a higher number of self-reported “best work” days.
Let us know what your office does to build connection!
The City of Marina – City Hall is now a Blue Zones Approved Worksite!
City of Marina – City Hall is the 1st municipality to become Blue Zones Project Approved in the Peninsula Cities project and the 51st worksite to become Blue Zones Project Approved in Monterey County. City of Marina – City Hall has implemented many worksite transformations that demonstrate their commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of their employees including creating walking routes, updating catering guidelines to ensure that there are always healthy options available, encouraging volunteerism, hanging posters to encourage staff to take micro-breaks, and many more! We got to celebrate this accomplishment by presenting to City Council on November 21st.
Congratulations Braga Fresh Foods Spreckels!
Braga Fresh Foods in Spreckels is their second location to become Blue Zones Project Approved Worksite and joins as the 52nd worksite to become Blue Zones Project Approved in Monterey County. Braga Fresh has demonstrated their commitment to continue to improve the health and wellbeing of their employees by implementing transformations at their second site. We look forward to their celebration!
Central Coast VNA & Hospice Cooking Demo
Blue Zones Project Monterey County also provided a Cooking Demo for the staff at Central Coast VNA & Hospice In both, the Salinas and Monterey offices. The staff learned how to make healthy meals and snacks that were easy to prep/ bring to work. Eating wisely is an important aspect of health, so finding easy ways to bring healthy meals and snacks to work can help.
World Diabetes Day at Natividad
Natividad hosted World Diabetes Day informational fair on Tuesday, November 14 and Blue Zones Project Monterey County had a great time participating. Employees, patients, and families learned about their risks for Type 2 diabetes, how to prevent, and how to care for the symptoms and improve healthy habits. Blue Zones Project shared how to “rethink your drinking habits” and delicious easy healthy recipes.
Your business can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ worksite!
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November 2023
Have you or your staff considered taking walking breaks or walking meetings? Some worksites opt to have everyone take a walking break together. Designated a walking path can help support employees utilize their breaks to support with their own health and wellbeing. Walking meetings can also be a productive way to get in your steps. Walking breaks/ meetings help prevent or manage type 2 diabetes, prevent and reduce high blood pressure, keep your lungs healthy, improve mood, and burn calories.
Cypress Healthcare Partners is now a Blue Zones Approved Worksite!
Cypress Healthcare Partners implemented many new initiatives to support employee well-being. They created an amazing downshift space on-site, created a walking route, established a Blue Zones Parking Space to encourage employees to add a few extra steps to their day, and more! They celebrated this achievement with an amazing healthy breakfast for their staff. Employees also had a blast trying out the Smoothie Bike! "At Cypress Healthcare Partners, we have always been committed to health and well being and it is such a pleasure to have the partnership of the Blue Zones Project to support us in that journey of giving back to our employees with resources, better health, happiness, and inspiring our team to give back to our community. Let’s be the change we want to see!" - Sabrina Martinez
Marina Coast Water District became the 2nd Blue Zones Approved Worksite in Marina!
We had an amazing celebration at one of their social events for employees, their annual Chili Cookoff. There were even some plant-based chili options entered into the competition! We enjoyed celebrating their hard work. It has been amazing to see employees continue to come out to Blue Zones Project events. Since approval, they have also created a new employee garden. We’re excited about this continued partnership. "After thoughtful consideration and discussion, I genuinely believe that when one is employed by a service provider—especially in the realm of water—it naturally inspires a desire to give back to the community, enriching it as a place to live, eat, work, and play. Undergoing the approval process for the Blue Zones Project has led some of us to view our community through a different lens. We've come to realize that the modest steps we've taken can indeed make a meaningful difference in numerous lives, as well as our own. This journey has deepened our connection with our community, making it a healthier environment for all. Providing the high-quality water that we do serves as a vital resource in promoting overall health and wellness." - Stephenie Verduzco
City of Salinas Employee Health & Wellness Fair
City of Salinas sees the importance in promoting wellness and healthy living among their employees. After the pandemic they were finally able to host their annual Employee Health and Wellness Fair . Employees participated in health screenings, learn about different services and organizations tied into health and wellness as well as participate in a fun salsa tasting recipe competition. They also had some great raffle prizes.
Salinas Union High School District Professional Development Day
Blue Zones Project Monterey County had the opportunity to participate in Salinas Union High School District Professional Development Day. We shared how to live longer, better with a focus on Diabetes Awareness Month. In addition to the educational aspect, we also had a fun cooking demonstration on how to make your hummus. It was fun showing how easily you can get creative in making your own hummus and how to enjoy your veggies with an additional kick of flavor.
Rancho Cielo Pumpkins & Succulents with Staff
There is nothing like ending a busy work week for staff with a fun activity on a Friday afternoon. In collaboration with Rancho Cielo’s very own leadership garden manager, Julie, everyone enjoyed learning about Blue Zones Project Power 9 and how it aligned with staff engagement. Everyone enjoyed decorating their pumpkins with succulents, enjoyed delicious snacks, and got to take home vegetables grown in Rancho Cielo’s Garden.
Doctors on Duty Cooking Demo
Blue Zones Project Monterey County also provided a Cooking Demo for the managers of Doctors on Duty. The staff learned how to make healthy meals and snacks that were easy to prep/ bring to work. Eating wisely is an important aspect of health, so finding easy ways to bring healthy meals and snacks to work can help.
Your business can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ worksite!
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October 2023
Worksite Wellness Tip
Your workspace can affect your daily comfort and performance. Paying attention to your ergonomics can help keep you safe and healthy. Feel free to look through the attached ergonomic self-assessment to see what you are already doing and what small changes you can make that will make a big difference over time. Keep your posture in mind. A few ideas to support with your ergonomics are adjusting your screen to be free from glare, sitting upright, and taking eye breaks from your monitor.
On Thursday, September 28th, our Blue Zones Team had the opportunity to participate at the MCOE Health and Wellness Fair. It was a fun and educational afternoon for employees and families to participate in free health screenings, glucose testing, fitness and nutrition information, prize giveaways and of course veggies. Thank you, Monterey County Office of Education, for the invitation.
This month our worksite sector attended the North Monterey County Unified School District Alliance Meeting. It is a roundtable of community members, business leaders, and educational partners to input on how to collectively impact the community. By participating, Blue Zones Project collaborates with worksites, schools, and organizations, to collaborate, create and implement positive changes in our Life Radius.
Your business can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ worksite!
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September 2023
Worksite Wellness Tip
Remember to take microbreaks while at work and encourage others to do the same. Microbreaks have been shown to improve your ability to concentrate, reduce workplace stress, help you avoid common desk injuries, and produce better quality work. Scheduling reminders on your calendar that remind you to stretch or to get up and move can be an easy way to build this into your daily routine. Feel free to put a copy of this flyer near your desk or in common spaces around the office to remind you to “Get Up Offa That Thing!”
Hike and Wine at the Vineyards with Valley Farm Management and CRU winery!
Curated events are successful when we work together It was another beautiful day hiking thru the vineyards as our “Hike and Wine Series” continues in partnership with Valley Farm Management and CRU winery. Don’t miss out on our upcoming “Hike and Wine” this month, Sunday, September 10th at 10 am at CRU Winery/Valley Farm Management property, 375200 Foothill Road in Soledad and enjoy a glass of wine after! Everyone welcomed (kid and pet friendly event).
Welcome Corral de Tierra
Corral de Tierra recently registered as a worksite and Blue Zones Project had the opportunity to present to their staff. It was great to engage with their staff filled with some great giveaways. They are ready to create a healthier, more productive workplace.
Dole Safety Fair
We had a great time celebrating Safety Week at the Dole Employee Safety Fair in Soledad. We had the opportunity to share with over 200 employees’ resources to help support their health and wellbeing.
Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay hosted their Blue Zones Project Approval Celebration. This celebration included a wellness fair for staff with opportunities to eat wisely, move naturally, and connect with one another. They had free biometric screenings available for all employees.
Your business can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ worksite!
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August 2023
Employee Engagement in Workplace Wellness
Wellness program engagement is about more than just showing up at a health screening or other activity to receive an incentive or avoid a financial penalty. Although participation is necessary to be engaged, employees do have to be engaged to participate. Engagement involves creating and maintaining a sincere interest and involvement in living a healthy life—at home and at work. Workplace wellness programs are only as effective as the proportion of employees who are truly engaged in the program.
Although industry leaders and researchers vary in their definition of wellness program engagement, engagement is commonly viewed as the level of enrollment and sustained participation in a program such as Blue Zones Monterey County, which includes:
- Engagement Events: cooking demos, volunteering, walking and potluck moais, community & curated events
- Professional Development: Purpose Workshops, Worksite well-being best practices, live longer Better Rewards & community challenges
- Well-Being Resources: Work from home toolkit, healthier home tools, Sharecare well-being app, healthy recipes, nutrition education, mindfulness practices, diabetes education
Active participation results in making the healthy choice, the easy choice. Employees making healthier decisions (e.g., choosing healthy foods, quitting tobacco, exercising regularly, managing stress). Engagement also includes employee input, involvement and focus on core themes that help employees live longer, heathier and happier lives: RIGHT OUTLOOK, EAST WISELY, MOVE NATURALLY AND CONNECT.
Strengthen or transform your employees' involvement and support their well-being by becoming a BZP Approved Worksite.
Cypress Healthcare Partners Beach Clean Up
Cypress Healthcare Partners, in partnership with Blue Zones Project, hosted a beach clean up for their staff and their families. The staff filled nine bags of trash and even recruited some local beach goers to join in on the fun. This was a great opportunity to connect with one another as well as beautify a local beach.
RealAge Test Lunch & Learn – Doctors on Duty/ Central Coast VNA and Hospice
This month Doctors on Duty and Central Coast VNA and Hospice hosted a Lunch & Learns for their staff at multiple of their sites to take the RealAge Test. The staff decided on healthy options available for their lunch and got to learn tips and tricks to support their wellbeing. Everyone left pleasantly surprised that their RealAge is younger than their chronological age!
Your business can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ worksite!
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June 2023
Approval Celebrations
This month Valley Farm Management celebrated becoming Blue Zones Project Approved Worksites! Valley Farm Management celebrated with their staff and families during their monthly fitness expo. They kicked off with a family hike, followed by a delicious healthy lunch during their recognition and participated in taking the RealAge Test with opportunities to win great prizes. It was a great day filled with fun activities for everyone.
Also, this month we celebrated Gateway Center of Monterey becoming BZP Approved worksite. It was a beautiful afternoon with a room full of excited staff members. The walking moais have been so successful with their employees that even the residents are feeling inspired to go out and walk. They work hard to provide their staff with healthy food options and have prioritized ergonomic assessments with their employees.
Montage Medical Staff Happy Hour
This month Montage hosted a Blue Zones inspired event for their community physicians. They focused on a few elements from the Power 9: plant slant appetizers, wine at 5 and positive pack. This event provided employees with the opportunity to connect with one another while eating some delicious appetizers straight from the Blue Zones Cookbook thanks to Nutrition Services. Thank you, Montage, for all that you do to support Blue Zones Project and your employees.
CCVNA RealAge Test Lunch & Learn
This month CCVNA hosted a Lunch & Learn for their staff at the Salinas office to take the RealAge test. The staff decided on a salad potluck for their lunch and got to learn tips and tricks to support their wellbeing. They work hard to take this test on a yearly basis to see how their health has changed, and everyone left pleasantly surprised that their RealAge is younger than their chronological age!
Salinas Union High School District
The Salinas Union High School District Human Resources Department staff took the RealAge Test this month and discovered their 'real age' based on daily habits. After taking the test, they were able to learn how their lifestyle choices help them stay younger - or age faster- than their calendar age. Let's continue leading the way to a community that's healthier, happier and younger than our years.
Discover your RealAge®
What is the RealAge® Test? It is how old your body really thinks you are based on your health such as lifestyle, genetics, and medical history. Up to 70% of overall health depends on how well you take of yourself, so you have influence over how you are! Employees will then have the option to access a free and personalized online resource to help them make healthy changes. The Sharecare RealAge® Test app and desktop options provide bilingual resources for employees. Our goal is to help make your RealAge® younger!
Discover your RealAge®: https://bzpmontereycounty.sharecare.com/
Your business can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ worksite!
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May 2023
Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa Worksite Approval Celebration
This month Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa celebrated becoming Blue Zones Project Approved. The wellness team went above and beyond to plan a Wellness Carnival. They provided a mock downshift lounge to showcase what will be available for their employees, provided wellness resources for their employees, and created opportunities for their employees to practice moving naturally. Almost every employee was hula-hooping or doing push-ups at this station of the carnival. Lastly, the chef prepared delicious and beautiful plant-based food selections for the employees to try. Congratulations, Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa!
Braga Fresh Lunch & Learn
This month Braga Fresh Foods hosted a Real Age Test Lunch & Learn for their staff. They had a great time discovering what their body’s age is compared to their biological age and eagerly sharing how young they were. They also served a delicious BZP inspired lunch with their products to show how easy it is to create healthy options.
Wald Ruhnke & Dost Lunch & Learn
This month Wald Ruhnke & Dost hosted a Lunch & Learn for their staff. The staff learned more about Blue Zones Project through a Story Speech. They were able to get together, eat some healthy food, and learn more about the role they are playing in helping the community.
Valley Farm Management & CRU Winery Hike and Wine
This month Valley Farm Management & CRU Winery hosted the first in a new monthly Summer Series of Hike and Wine days at their Soledad vineyard and tasting room. The event was very well attended by adults, kids, and even fur hikers! Many of the participants also joined in on the Real Age Test Campaign.
Discover your RealAge®
What is the RealAge® Test? It is how old your body really thinks you are based on your health such as lifestyle, genetics, and medical history. Up to 70% of overall health depends on how well you take of yourself, so you have influence over how you are! Employees will then have the option to access a free and personalized online resource to help them make healthy changes. The Sharecare RealAge® Test app and desktop options provide bilingual resources for employees. Our goal is to help make your RealAge® younger!
Discover your RealAge®: https://bzpmontereycounty.sharecare.com/
For more information: https://montereycounty.bluezonesproject.com/
Your business can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ worksite!
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April 2023
Salinas Family YMCA Zumba
Connecting where people live, work and play is referred to as the Life Radius and last month we saw it happen with an approved worksite and organization. Salinas Family YMCA in collaboration with Salinas Soccer Complex hosted their first community event by offering a free Zumba class. From individuals doing Zumba for the first time to regulars the class was filled with lots of fun! Everyone connected and moved naturally! We can’t wait for the next one!
Carmel Valley Manor Team Participation at Big Sur International Marathon
Congratulations to Carmel Valley Manor Staff for their participation in the Big Sur International Marathon on Sunday, April 30th! They had a total of 17 participate by either running in the 5k or 12k and other CVM members cheering them on. We loved that Blue Zones Project Monterey County logo was on ont heir swag. Way to go Carmel Valley Manor by going the extra “miles”! #movenaturally #connect
Purpose Workshop held at Hartnell King City Learning Center
On April 24th, Hartnell King City Learning Center hosted a Purpose Workshop that was very well attended. Over 20 students and staff participated! In fact, it was so well received that subsequent sessions are already in the works!
South County OutReach Efforts Council (S.C.O.R.E.)
The South County Blue Zones team was invited to attend and participate in this collaborative council of non profit agencies and organizations. The aim is to increase collaboration, cooperation, and access to resources to South County residents. In subsequent meetings, Blue Zones Project will be a guest speaker to elaborate on how engage in the community.
Hike and Wine event at CRU winery!
Valley Farm Management will be hosting a Hike and Wine event in partnership with CRU winery. The event will take place Sunday May 21st at 10 am at the CRU/Paraiso Vineyards property and is open to the public (kid and pet friendly event). Future events are in the work, including charcuterie classes and cooking demonstrations, to take advantage of this breathtaking location overlooking the Salinas Valley.
Calling all worksites!
Join us for the RealAge Test survey taking place in Monterey County in support of informing the primary areas of focus in community well-being. A worksite environment that supports well-being benefits is making an investment in their employees’ health. Improving employee well-being reduces health care costs, raises productivity and increases your employee engagement. Through Blue Zones Project, worksites can use the RealAge Test to measure and track changes in workforce well-being over time. Employers with a minimum of 25 completed surveys receive a confidential aggregate report on workforce health conditions, risks and behaviors, as well as employee physical, social, purpose, community and financial well-being. Insights in well-being can inform your prevention strategies and support your Blue Zones Project alignment. Let’s us help you create a strategy for success in creating an effective well-being survey.
For more information: bzpmontereyco@gmail.com
Your business can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ worksite!
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March 2023
Worksite Approval
Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa - Blue Zones Project Monterey County is committed to supporting worksite in establishing best practices to support creating a sustainable environment of well-being. A key best practice in prevention is worksite wellness programming that includes health fairs and biometric screenings. In March, Monterey Plaza Hotel and Spa hosted a health fair for their team. The health fair included mindfulness practices, Employee Assistance Program benefit information, Blue Zones inspired foods and biometrics screenings offered by Montage Health. Creating a space for employees to connect and learn more about how to be empowered in their wellbeing shows a true investment in people and culture. To learn more about how to implement this best practice at your worksite reach out to your team at Blue Zones Project Monterey County.
Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay is the first dual Blue Zones Project approval in Monterey County
The Portola Hotel & Spa is a Blue Zones Project Approved Worksite and Jack’s Monterey, and Peter B’s Brewpub are Blue Zones Project Approved Restaurants. Their commitment in creating an environment of well-being to support the Life Radius, where people live, work and play, affecting their employees, customers and residents is commendable. Portola Hotel & Spa’s participation with The Blue Zones Project was a natural fit for the AAA Four Diamond and US Green Building Council LEED Certified® hotel. “We strive to enhance our guests experience and explore opportunities and programs that benefit our staff. Following the progress and impact of The Blues Zones Project in our community led to conversations and a team commitment to certify the hotel,” said Janine Chicourrat, Managing Director, Portola Hotel & Spa.
Pacific Valley Bank celebrated this month their worksite approval for their 2nd location in Salinas! They join a total of 48 Approved Worksites in Monterey County. It was a roomful filled with excitement followed by a delicious lunch. Congratulations Pacific Valley Bank!
This month, Salinas Union Hight School District hosted a Healthy Charcuterie Board and Wine @ 5 Mixer for their HR Department. Staff learned the nutritional benefits of items on their charcuterie board and how to make Olive Tapenade. It was a great way to connect and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day!
Planning social gatherings for your employees outside of work is one of the best ways to encourage a healthy work environment where teamwork thrives, and employees feel valued and connected. The better your employees know one another, the more productive they will be in the workplace.
We can’t wait to see them become worksite approved!
El Susto Documentary Screening and Resource Fair: Big Thank You to Braga Fresh Gonzales and Taylor Farms Gonzales for their participation and support in this event. Attendees were very happy to receive so many fresh and local healthy treats. The event was very well received and well attended, despite the rainy weather.
Salinas Family YMCA Healthy Kids Day. Please join Salinas Family YMCA as they host their Annual Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, April 29th from 10:00am to 1:00 pm, located at 117 Clay Street. As a leading voice for health and well-being, they work towards bringing children and families together to have fun, be healthy, and grow together. Please come out and support a great family event that represents the Power 9: move naturally, eat wisely, belong: loved ones first.
Your business can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ worksite!
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February 2023
Worksite Approval
Congratulations to Pacific Valley Bank Corporate Office for reaching BZP Worksite Approval! This is their second worksite to reach BZP Worksite Approval in Salinas! Pacific Valley Bank is a community bank created in 2004 to help the local economy thrive in serving throughout Monterey County. As a community bank they are committed to contributing to a successful community and raising the standard of living of all its members. This is why it was very important for them to provide the same standards for their employees by implementing worksite transformations that demonstrated their commitment to improve health and wellbeing at their branch and corporate office in Salinas. A few best practices implemented are to support ongoing micro-breaks every hour, created an employee garden, implementation of an employee-led well-being advisory committee, and created a safe walking route which kicked off with a walking moai. Congratulations Pacific Valley Bank Corporate Office!
Health Fair and Biometric Screening at Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa
The Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa held an incredible health and wellness fair along with a biometric screening for all their employees. Blue Zones Project Monterey County Sponsor Montage Health provided the biometric screening. Employees had the chance to connect with Blue Zones Project, sign up for a CSA box, receive a free massage, partake in mindful meditation, and enjoy delicious plant-based food. The senior leadership at the Monterey Plaza Hotel takes their employees’ health and well-being seriously and the wellness fair was a clear indication! We look forward to celebrating their approval as a Blue Zones Project worksite soon!
Salinas Family YMCA Healthy Kids Day
Salinas Family YMCA will be hosting their Annual Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, April 29th from 10:00am to 1:00 pm, located at 117 Clay Street. As a leading voice for health and well-being, they work towards bringing children and families together to have fun, be healthy, and grow together. Please come out and support a great family event that represents the Power 9: move naturally, eat wisely, belong: loved ones first.
Your business can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ worksite!
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January 2023
Worksite Approval
Blue Zones Project is excited to welcome Valley Farm Management, the 2nd BZP Approved Worksite in Soledad! Valley Farm Management is a full-service vineyard management company that specializes in growing and harvesting premium quality grapes in the Santa Lucia Highlands and around Monterey County. Not only do they take pride in caring for grapes, but they are committed in taking care of their team and their families. Nothing is more important for Valley Farm Management then to have a happy and healthy employee to be a part of the VFM Family for decades. They implemented several worksite transformations that demonstrated their commitment to improve health and well-being for their employees such as a designated a space for employees to downshift, ensuring at least 50% of food and beverage options meet the BZ food guidelines, implement and support ongoing microbreaks for administrative staff and ranch staff and offer opportunities for staff to connect and engage in health-related activities. Congratulations Valley Farm Management!
Congratulations to Doctors on Duty for approving all three of their Peninsula locations! The clinics located in Monterey, Seaside and Marina are all approved worksite locations. They are the first urgent care clinics to be approved by Blue Zones Project – Monterey County.
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December 2022
We Are Hiring!
Relationship Consultant: https://bit.ly/BZPMCHiringRC
Worksite Approval
Congratulations to Salinas Family YMCA for their worksite approval celebration! They join 27 BZP Approved Worksites in our Salinas Project. As an organization committed to creating a healthier community through their programs and provide support to live a healthy lifestyle, Salinas Family YMCA worksite approval illustrated it was equally important for them to do the same for their employees, staff & volunteers. They implemented a number of worksite transformations that demonstrated their commitment to improve health and wellbeing for their employees, staff & volunteers. The celebration kicked off with a Senior Fit and Zumba Class open to the community to participate in a free class and Casa del Sazon, one of our most recent BZ Approved Restaurants in Salinas, served samples of their BZP Inspired dishes. It was such an energetic, fun celebration. Congratulations Salinas Family YMCA!
Worksite Mixer
Blue Zones Project Monterey County hosted a fabulous holiday mixer at our headquarters in downtown Salinas. It was a great opportunity to connect with our worksite sector committee members and engage with worksites both approved and pursuing approval. We look forward to hosting more in-person worksite committee events in 2023!
Salinas Union High School District HR Retreat
Salinas Union High School District recently registered as a worksite and Blue Zones Project had the opportunity present at their Human Resources retreat. It was a great way to engage with staff and brainstorm new ideas for 2023. They are ready to create a healthier, more productive workplace.
Yoga, Wine and Wellness at Montage Health
Montage Health collab with BZP - we will share images soon!
Your business can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ worksite!
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November 2022
Blue Zones Project Approved Worksites
Congratulations to Central Coast YMCA Salinas in achieving Blue Zones Project worksite approval! Central Coast YMCA established an environment that support healthy behaviors by offering programs to improve health in our community and committed to prioritize employee’s health and well-being by creating an environment that supports healthy habits. To have employees have a full understanding and utilization of their healthcare benefits was a priority. The encouraged by ensuring that 50% of healthier options are offered in vending machines, encourage microbreaks and to move naturally by adding steps with implementing five (5) BZP parking spaces were added. They also created a beautiful employee garden and a safe walking route.
Congratulations to Monterey Signs on becoming a Blue Zones Project approved worksite! Monterey Signs is committed to employee wellness and creating a culture of well-being in Seaside and Monterey County. From growing an employee garden, to creating a tuition reimbursement program, the team at Monterey Signs are walking the walk.
We are thrilled to announce that Doctors on Duty’s Lighthouse Avenue location in Monterey is the first outpatient medical clinic to be a Blue Zones Project approved worksite! The team has quickly adopted Blue Zones attitudes and has come out as strong participants in our volunteer activities, helping at beach and park clean-ups. We are excited to help them achieve their vision of transforming all their locations in Monterey County into BZP approved worksites!
Wine @ 5 Mixer
Blue Zones Project Monterey County and La Casa del Sazón in Salinas hosted a food tasting experience in November for Salinas City Elementary School District Administration. It was a great opportunity for staff to connect and see how their schools can becoming Blue Zones Project School Approved. They also got the chance to try La Casa del Sazón new plant-based menu.
Your business can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ worksite!
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October 2022
Blue Zones Project Approved Worksites
Greenfield Unified School District Office celebrated their worksite approval as the 1st approved worksite in the City of Greenfield and the 4th Approved worksite in our county-wide Project. They are the first school district in Monterey County to have all Schools in the District Approved and the District Office Approved! Their approval celebration was tied in with their Parent Academy Fun Run, demonstrating their commitment cascades to the school site, creating a sustainable environment of well-being for students and their families. Congratulations Greenfield Union School District!
Congratulations to Leavitt Central Coast Insurance Services for their worksite approval celebration! They join 26 BZP Approved Worksite in our Salinas Project. Having Leavitt Central Coast Insurance Services become an approved worksite illustrates their role in serving as leaders in the community by helping make the healthy choice the easy choice for their employees and sharing their passion with their customers.
After diligent effort and commitment, we are thrilled to announce that the Portola Hotel & Spa is the first hotel to be approved as a worksite in Monterey County! Their dedication to wellness and sustainable practices is commendable and we are so proud of the work that accomplished to meet approval. Congratulations to their team – we look forward to holding an approval celebration soon!
BZP Worksite Well-being Monterey Summit
On Wednesday October 19th, Blue Zones Project Monterey County held its first in-person Worksite Well-being Summit since 2020! Nadine Burke of the Monterey Fuel Company and Dr. Casey Grover of the Community Hospital of Monterey Peninsula were our guest speakers, both members of our Worksite Sector Committee and representatives of approved worksites. We had great participation and provided our attendees with wine and plant-based appetizers from Blue Zones Project approved restaurant in Monterey – Zab Zab Thai.
City of Soledad Wellness Event
On October 19th the City of Soledad, Montage Health and the Blue Zones Project hosted a wellness event and provided free biometric screening to all City of Soledad employees.
Your business can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ worksite!
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September 2022
BZP Worksite Well-being Summit
In October, we invite new worksites to attend our Worksite Summit and learn how Blue Zones Project Monterey County can help build a more engaged and productive workforce. Register in the links below.
October 19 at 4pm – Monterey https://bit.ly/WorksiteSummitMont
October 26 at 4pm – King City https://bit.ly/WorksiteSummitKC
October 27 at 4pm – Gonzales https://bit.ly/WorksiteSummitGZ
Taylor Farms- Gonzales
Taylor Farms celebrated their 4th Worksite in Monterey County to achieve BZP Worksite Approval (9/7/22). Some implementations Taylor Farms did to name a few were, created an employee garden, quiet space and walking routes which allow employees to connect, relax during breaks and move naturally and encourage daily exercise. Congratulations, Taylor Farms!
Monterey County Hospitality Association Wellness Fair
The Monterey County Hospitality Association, Montage Health and the Blue Zones Project hosted a wellness fair (9/7/22) and provided free biometric screening to all MCHA members.
Dole Health Fair
Dole hosted their annual health fair (9/21/22) and was filled with health information, screenings, and community resources. Blue Zones Project Monterey County was in attendance, tabling to create awareness of resources that will encourage employees to make healthier choices and move naturally throughout their day.
Rancho Cielo Garden Workshop
In collaboration with Rancho Cielo a Garden Workshop (9/25/22) was offered to staff and community members. Participants had the opportunity to learn basic skills for gardening and how to grow their own salsa garden. At the end of the workshop, we enjoyed some fresh salsa and chips! Thank you, Rancho Cielo, for partnering with Blue Zones Project to host their first workshop open to the community.
MCOE Annual Health and Wellness Fair
Blue Zones Project Monterey County participated in Monterey County Office of Education annual health and wellness fair (9/29/22). It was a great opportunity to engage with staff and the community. We shared resources, upcoming events and participants were able to have fun with our spin art bike!
Your business can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ worksite!
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August 2022
Blue Zones Project Worksite Celebrations
City of King, City Hall
City of King celebrated their worksite approval on August 30th by having a BZP Inspired potluck. Before the certificate presentation took place, staff members shared their dishes with one another while watching City of King’s very own, Adriana Granados’ BZP influencer video. The video highlighted the healthy lifestyle changes Adriana has done to be in better health, which included staying active and walking. Congratulations City, of King!
Blue Zones Project Approved Worksites
Congratulations to Greenfield Union School District Office and Leavitt Central Coast Insurance Services for achieving Blue Zones Project worksite approval this month!
This milestone for Greenfield Union School District Office makes them the first city in all of Blue Zones Project Monterey County to have all schools in the District achieving Blue Zones Project school approval, and the District Office achieving worksite approval. This is a clear indication of the commitment of GUSD in creating an all-inclusive environment of sustainable well-being for students, family and staff. The District Office has established an environment that supports healthy behaviors by optimizing the physical environment and ensuring all staff understand, and utilize, their healthcare benefits. GUSD created a “downshift room”, a quiet space for staff to enjoy as a mindful practice.
The employees elected to support an outdoor garden, which includes birdhouses and feeders, which can also double as a place for the team to connect. The school and community spirit with GUSD is impressive. The promotion of Spirit wear” days, to employee gatherings to create connection and the Family Fun Run – as desired to create a sense of community and connection. The commitment that GUSD has in their collaboration with Blue Zones Project Monterey County aligns directly with their mission statement to be a national leader in education ensuring high levels of learning and success for all students. The consistent application of Blue Zones Project principles in schools and worksites ensures we are all working together to improve community well-being.
In working through the approval process, Leavitt Central Coast Insurance Services demonstrated how committed and passionate they are about prioritizing health and well-being for their employees. They focus on implementing best practices in their workplace to best support and encourage a healthy environment. An example of an implemented best practice was adding five (5) Blue Zones Parking spaces for employees to get additional steps in their day which aligns with one of our Power 9, Moving Naturally. Walking helps increase energy, cardio strength, and endurance. They prioritize in offering preventative and biometrics screenings to help employees maintain good health.
Leavitt Central Coast Insurance Services truly values the importance in having a work environment that builds teamwork and collaboration with having healthy relationships among co-workers, which is why it is important for their worksite to implement onsite activities and social gatherings, plus their support for employees to participate in volunteer activities individually and as a Team demonstrates their commitment to giving back to their community.
Blue Zones Project – Highlights/Events
Members of the hospitality community are encouraged to join us at the Portola Hotel & Spa on Wednesday September 7th from 12-4pm for a free biometric screening and wellness fair! Please register at the link and join us. https://mcha.net/events/wellness-fair-2/
King City Kickoff
King City Kickoff was a great success. Attendees browsed dozens of booths along downtown, participated in healthy activities and watched performances and learned ways to improve the quality and length of their lives. https://kingcityrustler.com/blue-zones-project-officially-launches-in-king-city/
Gonzales Kickoff
Gonzales Kickoff was enjoyed greatly by the community. The event provided attendees opportunities to see the Blue Zones Project, Power 9 Principals in action, allowing attendees to visualize the transformation they would like to see and be a part of, in their community. https://kingcityrustler.com/blue-zones-project-kicks-off-in-king-city-and-gonzales-this-month/
Your business can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ worksite!
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July 2022
Blue Zones Project Approved Worksites
Salinas City Elementary School District celebrated their worksite approval in June! They are the 2nd school district approved as a worksite in our Salinas project community and join our BZPMC family along with 50% of their schools approved. Congratulations to their district office for creating a healthy workplace for their employees, promoting a culture where the healthy choice is the easy choice. We are excited to continue working with them along with their Food Service and Transportation site who registered this month.
Congratulations to North Monterey County Unified School District for their recent worksite approval and celebration! NMCUSD is the 3rd school district approved as a worksite in our Salinas project community, joining 33 total approved worksites throughout Monterey County. In their pursuit of worksite approval, they promoted Community Support Agriculture programs at their district office, crafted a monthly wellness newsletter and a created a staff wellness website that both provide resources for employee well-being. We look forward to continuing to work with the schools in the North Monterey County Unified School District and sustaining well-being in their district!
Worksite Spotlight- Robert Cullen Farmers Insurance Team
Robert Cullen and his dedicated team (Raul, Lucio, Sal) met with our BZP Organizational Lead to discuss the upcoming King City Kickoff event. Robert Cullen will be leading our BZP worksite booth, and we are very grateful for their continued support and involvement in our project. (Fun Fact: Robert Cullen Farmers Insurance was an early adapter of BZP and was the first worksite to be Blue Zones Project Worksite Approved in King Cit, CA).
Blue Zones Project – Worksites and Volunteer Events
Doctors on Duty have come out in full force to support local Blue Zones Project volunteer events, from participating in a recent Purpose Workshop, to coming out strong at our recent Laguna Grande Park clean-up on June 26th. We would like to say, “thank you” and look forward to their worksite approval soon!
As a reminder, Blue Zones Project is always excited to put on a special event for your worksite – whether it’s a beach clean-up, a walking group, or a Purpose Workshop, we take joy and pride in connecting people together to Live Longer, Better.
Your business can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ worksite!
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June 2022
Blue Zones Project Approved Worksites
Congratulation to Salinas City Elementary School District for achieving Blue Zones Project worksite approval during the month of May! They have created a work atmosphere that inspires, encourages, and promotes well-being in the workplace. Some pledge items that were implemented include creating an employee garden, ensuring 50% of their beverage vending machines meets the Blue Zones Food Guidelines, and establishing a wellness committee. Continue the great work SCESD!
Your business can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ worksite!
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May 2022
Earth Day Beach Clean-up
Thanks to the Portola Hotel & Spa for coming out to support Earth Day! Along with Blue Zones Project, the Portola team were able to remove over 12 pounds worth of trash and recycling from Del Monte Beach. We can’t wait to finish approving them as a Blue Zones Project worksite!
Carmel Valley Manor
Engaging employees through the Live Longer, Better Rewards Program!
Carmel Valley Manor hosted a BZP inspired lunch with a farmers’ market to help create healthy options for their staff!
Story Speeches at Taylor Farms (Gonzales Plant)
On April 14th, Blue Zones Project was invited to Taylor Farms in Gonzales and gave multiple story speeches in Spanish to over 1,000 employees. This engagement opportunity resulted in a wonderful turn out, where over 700 employees signed the personal pledge. Employees took the personal pledge and promised to make a number of simple lifestyle changes that will improve their health and well-being.
Taylor Farms is doing a wonderful job implementing selected best practices in the Gonzales Plant, which included new carpool parking spaces, a garden area designed for staff to downshift and a refrigerator to provide salads and other healthy options to staff members. Taylor Farms is working towards making the healthy choice, the easy choice and on their way to becoming a Blue Zones Project worksite!
Your business can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ worksite!
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April 2022
Monterey County Health Needs Collaborative
Six organizations are teaming up to address the major health needs of residents of the Monterey Bay and Salinas Valley regions. The newly formed Monterey County Health Needs Collaborative is a partnership between Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula, Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System, Mee Memorial Healthcare System, Natividad, the Monterey County Health Department, and United Way Monterey County. The Collaborative was formed to more effectively identify, address, and improve the health and well-being of the local community.
We want to hear from you. Please take our anonymous survey to help improve the health and well-being of our entire community.
Blue Zones Project Approved Worksites
This month we are extremely excited to celebrate the approvals of the Monterey Jet Center, Del Monte Aviation and Natividad!
The Monterey Jet Center and Del Monte Aviation are two fixed-base operators servicing aircraft arriving and departing Monterey. As sister worksites, each one made unique and clear commitments to pursue and achieve Blue Zones Project worksite approval. From growing employee gardens, to creating a walking path connecting the two worksites and holding an onsite biometric screening via Blue Zones Project Monterey County sponsor, Montage Health.
Natividad is a passionate adopter of Blue Zones Project and our third healthcare worksite to achieve worksite approval. It was evident they saw the benefits of this worksite designation and implemented several transformations such as adding eight Blue Zones Project parking spaces, creating a safe walking path within the hospital grounds, and integrating Blue Zones Projects initiatives within their employee orientations.
We applaud the tremendous efforts that the Monterey Jet Center, Del Monte Aviation and Natividad have implemented. Congratulations!
This Month’s Highlight Towards Approval
We are excited to highlight City of King who is working toward becoming a Blue Zones Project Approved Worksite. Every worksite is unique, and it takes creativity to find a way to incorporate best practices. In our work with the team in King City it is clear they are passionate about creating a sustainable environment of well-being for city staff. Recently, in reviewing the worksite pledge and discussing best practices, they elected to consider an employee garden. Employee gardens are a great way to incorporate physical activity, stress relieve and team bonding. The team in King City chose to create propagation stations as their garden. A fun, creative space for a worksite of any size!
If you would like to learn more, or want to register your business to become a Blue Zones Project Approved Worksite, please visit:
https://montereycounty.bluezonesproject.com/organization/signup-start.
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March 2022
Peninsula Cities
This month the Peninsula Cities team is excited to hold the Worksite Approval Celebration for Central Coast VNA & Hospice! One of the first worksites to be approved in Salinas, their Ryan Ranch location is now also a Blue Zones Project worksite. We are thrilled to be holding their celebration on March 4th, which will include the local Wild Plum Café food-truck.
Salinas
Blue Zones Project Monterey County would like to Congratulate Natividad Medical Center and D'Arrigo California for achieving Blue Zones Project Worksite Approval during the month of February!
As worksites they have both committed to creating an environment where their employees can feel connected to their colleagues and to help grow productivity with an engaged workforce.
Natividad is a hospital that provides high-quality health care in Monterey County and is dedicated to improving and inspiring healthy lives not just to our community but to their employees. They focus on implementing best practices in their workplace to best support their employees' environment and well-being. An example of an implemented best practice was adding eight (8) Blue Zones parking spaces for employees to get additional steps in their walk. It also helps promote one of our Power 9, Moving Naturally, and the benefits of walking such as increasing energy, cardio strength and endurance.
D'Arrigo California, a family-owned agriculture company that brings healthful products to our community, is very committed to helping their staff feel connected and engaged through implementation of their health and wellbeing programs, which includes workshops, employee luncheons and events, as well the importance of implementing plant base dishes by sharing recipes that includes their products and providing each month a selection of vegetables their employees can select from and share with their families.
If you would like to learn more, or want to register your business to become a Blue Zones Project Approved Worksite, please visit:
https://montereycounty.bluezonesproject.com/organization/signup-start.
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February 2022
Natividad Medical Center recently implemented eight Blue Zone Project Parking Spaces at their worksite. These parking space located farthest away from the entrance reminds employees that parking father away is one way to easily add more steps to their day. Even moderate daily physical activity, including walking, can reduce the risk of developing coronary heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes. Every step counts!
Monterey Jet Center recently has made tremendous progress towards Worksite Approval. Not only have they installed bike racks, created a raised bed garden, but they recently installed several custom Blue Zones Project parking spaces featuring a unique logo designed in collaboration with Signworks Monterey. We are so excited for them to achieve worksite approval and are looking forward to their Worksite Approval Celebration that will be held in March alongside a biometric screening for their employees, conducted by Montage Health.
Salinas City Elementary School District is well on their way in becoming worksite approved. Last month, they created a pervasive brand to use when communicating internally with their employees. SCESD is leading the way in promoting health awareness in their worksite!
If you would like to learn more, or want to register your business to become a Blue Zones Project Approved Worksite, please visit:
https://montereycounty.bluezonesproject.com/organization/signup-start.
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January 2022
December was a month of celebration and excitement for the Blue Zones Project as it represented a true expansion of our work. The Robert Cullen Farmers Insurance and Financial Services Agency, which we approved in November, held their approval celebration on December 7th. Not only was the King City Chamber of Commerce & Agriculture in attendance, but also current mayor Mike Lebarre was present and read a proclamation in support of Blue Zones Project Monterey County. Mayor Lebarre congratulated Robert Cullen Farmers Insurance on becoming the first business in King City to become an approved worksite.
December was also a banner month for Blue Zones Project Monterey County in the Peninsula Cities region as we approved our first worksite since expanding our project from Salinas. We are proud to announce that the Monterey location of the Central Coast Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice has been approved! They join the Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System and Taylor Farms as one of the few businesses to have multiple approved worksites throughout Monterey County. We can’t wait for more worksites to become approved in the Peninsula Cities region of Monterey, Seaside and Marina.
If you would like to learn more, or want to register your business to become a Blue Zones Project Approved Worksite, please visit:
https://montereycounty.bluezonesproject.com/organization/signup-start.
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December 2021
Blue Zones Project Monterey County would like to congratulate Taylor Farms Retail and Robert Cullen Farmers Insurance & Financial Services for achieving Blue Zones Project Worksite Approval during the month of November! Creating an environment where employees feel better and more connected to their colleagues grows productivity and creates a more engaged workforce.
Robert Cullen Farmers Insurance & Financial Services is our first Blue Zones Project Approved Worksite in the city of King. Their wellness committee is dedicated to implementing employee focused wellness initiatives and focuses on engaging staff and their families. By volunteering & supporting local sports, they make one of the Power 9's "Family First" a key priority.
Taylor Farms Retail commitment to engaging their employees with Blue Zones Project activities was demonstrated through their approval process in having over 45% of their employees participate in signing the pledge - over 530 of their employees have signed the pledge!
Register today to find out how your business can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved Worksite: https://bit.ly/3nx8fFD
The Blue Zones Project Peninsula Cities team was thrilled to participate at the Portola Hotel & Spa's recent Health and Wellness Fair on Wednesday, November 10th. The fair included biometric screenings provided by Montage Health and local personal training and wellness gym STRENGTH Monterey led the group in a stretch and movement break. We look forward to engaging more hospitality focused worksites in the near future!
In the photo below, Casey from STRENGTH Monterey leads the room in a series of gentle stretches.
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October 2021
Making the commitment to become a Blue Zones Project approved worksite shows a dedication to creating an environment of well-being for your staff. Just as important as creating the environment, is sustaining it! In our work with worksites, our goal is to assist with an environmental assessment to understand what is currently taking place so we can ensure policy and practice are aligned. Once we understand the current culture, we are then able to assist you in optimizing existing elements to begin establishing your culture of well-being. A key element to the success of creating and sustaining a culture that supports healthy behaviors is engaging your staff. We help identify opportunities for your staff to engage with Blue Zones Project with activities in alignment with the Power 9. Two of our recently approved worksites are truly emulating the “practice what you preach” concept as they continue to create opportunities for their staff to meaningfully engage in the Power 9.
Braga Fresh hosted their celebration event in October with a focus on Plant Slant and natural movement. Braga Fresh treated their team to plant based dished from Park Row Café and held a raffle for items that supported eating wisely and moving naturally.
Carmel Valley Manor is creating meaningful connections by holding events on campus that encourage social networking and team building. Recently they held a wreath making social event, along with lunch and learn events and campus clean ups.
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September 2021
Last month, together with Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System and Local Urban Gardeners, we were able to help make a difference at Natividad Creek Park in Salinas! About 40 people helped beautify the park, pick up trash, weed the community garden designed to increase the availability of fresh, organically grown vegetables and healthy food options for the community. Volunteers sanded and painted the stumps to create a space for everyone to gather and enjoy.
Reach out to us if you’re interested in creating your own worksite volunteer day!
On September 22nd, the Blue Zones Project was excited to participate in the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa’s Employee Wellness Fair! Alongside other local wellness enthusiasts like the Monterey Sports Center, Adventures by the Sea, and one of our sponsors Montage Health, we were able to engage with staff, educate them about our work in the Peninsula Cities and help them live longer, better by signing the Blue Zones Personal Pledge. We are excited to continue our work with the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa as a worksite!
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August 2021
The Blue Zones Project Monterey County team would like to congratulate the Alisal Union School District, Carmel Valley Manor and Braga Fresh Family Farms for all achieving Blue Zones Project approval during the month of August! Improving the overall health and well-being of your worksite is a straightforward process, but it is made even easier when you work with passionate and committed leaders like the ones at these worksites. Alisal Union School District developed a dedicated worksite wellness committee that despite the statewide shutdown, continued to meet during COVID and share Blue Zones Project updates with their entire faculty and staff. Carmel Valley Manor held a Farmer’s Market just for their staff and optimized their employee garden - these changes will enable their staff to eat wisely and get more immediate access to fresh fruit and vegetables. Braga Fresh Family Farms put family first by emphasizing their many family focused events such as their July 4th celebration, Pumpkin Patch event and holiday celebrations – after a year of social isolation, providing opportunities for families to connect is huge!
If you’re interested in learning more about the worksite approval process, and how you can build a more productive and engaged workforce, we invite you to join us at our upcoming Worksite Summit on September 21st and 28th.
July 2021
Summer fun grows in July for Worksites with their participation in Pledge-a-Palooza. Selected worksites were challenged to double their total engagement with employees by signing the personal pledge. Congratulations to Salinas City Elementary School District for taking the lead and getting awarded a Gift Certificate valued at $200 to a BZP Approved Restaurant, Gordon’s Café and Catering. We would also like to Congratulate Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital Foundation in becoming our newest Blue Zones Project Approved Worksite! Their commitment in helping their staff and surrounding neighbors feel more connected was their priority. As a non-profit organization they implemented a shared community space to bring other local non-profits and organizations together in a common area for workshops, events, and meetings. What a great example of the Power 9 to Connect with our Community! Sharing a parking lot with other businesses did not prevent them to install a BZP Parking space. Their BZP parking space is shared and used as a tool for others to learn more about the Blue Zones Project. Worksites are working towards inspiring positive change and connectiveness for their workforce to thrive in the community.
For more information, please contact Maribel Roque, Org. Lead, Worksites (Salinas): maribel.roque@sharecare.com
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July 2021
Topics: Worksites walking school bus Built Environment Schools Monterey County Featured
130 min read
What's Happening In Schools
May 2025
Teachers across Monterey County are joining our collaborative Type 2 Diabetes Campaign with Aspire Health “The Beast” to facilitate diabetes prevention education in the classroom. To learn more about the Diabetes Education Modules developed for K-12th grade click the link below:
School Diabetes Awareness Education Modules - Don't Feed the Diabetes (dontfeedthediabetes.com)
Schools in the Peninsula Cities
In collaboration with Ohana, Sunstreet Centers, and the Monterey County Drug Free Communities Coalition, Blue Zones Project Monterey County hosted a tobacco-litter beach clean up for high schoolers. We had about 15 dedicated high school volunteers come out to give back to our community and learn more about tobacco cessation.
This month, BZPMC coordinated a Walking School Bus event at Dual Language Academy of the Monterey Peninsula, a Blue Zones Approved School. School staff, school district leadership, and families within the community showed up for this event to help students start their day with some natural movement and connection. We met at the Mal’s Market in Seaside. The owner, Dennis, kindly donated some snacks for the community and graciously hosted us. (Add photos)
BZPMC provided a garden sustainability plan, curriculum, seeds, and soil to Ord Terrace Elementary and Dual Language Academy of the Monterey Peninsula. We also provided support to Marina High School as they plan to move their garden to a more accessible space. The Marina High School culinary arts class has championed this space and uses the produce within their classroom. We’re excited to see the school sites prioritizing their gardens and using it as an outdoor learning space for students.
Schools in Salinas
We presented a diabetes education assembly at Monte Bella Elementary, reaching 387 students. During the assembly, students learned about the importance of diabetes awareness, healthy habits, and how to make informed lifestyle choices.
Once again, students from Rancho San Juan High School stepped up to volunteer their time at University Park Elementary, helping to clean and care for the garden. Ms. Rich's second grade class joined the effort, turning it into a wonderful collaboration between schools. A big thank you to Ms. Johnson and her students from RSJHS for their continued support and dedication.
Schools in King City/Gonzales
We had the pleasure of joining Del Rey Elementary for their Parent Café, where we engaged in meaningful conversations about health, well-being, and nutrition. The event was well attended, offering parents valuable insights into important health topics.
Schools across the County
We happily joined the El Día del Niño Family Festival, hosted by the North Monterey CountyUnified School District. Families enjoyed delicious food prepared by the NMCUSD Nutrition Department and were treated to fantastic performances. The Salinas Valley Health Mobile Clinic, along with various community partners, provided free resources and services to support the well-being of attendees.
Your school can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ school site!
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April 2025
Teachers across Monterey County are joining our collaborative Type 2 Diabetes Campaign with Aspire Health “The Beast” to facilitate diabetes prevention education in the classroom. To learn more about the Diabetes Education Modules developed for K-12th grade click the link below:
School Diabetes Awareness Education Modules - Don't Feed the Diabetes (dontfeedthediabetes.com)
Schools in Peninsula Cities
This month, we partnered with the Marina High School Culinary Arts program for a Student-Led Blue Zones Project Monterey County Cooking Demonstration. This event reached 35 students and was led by passionate high schoolers who utilized the BZP food guidelines to come up with an inspired dish, create a recipe card, and share it with their peers. This partnership with the Culinary Arts and High School Work-Based Learning program (CTE) has proved invaluable.
Bay View Academy Lower Campus had us out to lead the Type 2 Diabetes Awareness Education as multiple assemblies. It’s so great to see students engaged and learning about a topic that is so relevant to us in Monterey County. With approximately 50% of adults in Monterey County having Type 2 Diabetes, it’s important that we educate early.
Schools in Salinas
Rancho San Juan High School students came together to clean up University Park Elementary’s garden, turning it into a wonderful opportunity to move naturally and give back to the community. A big thank you to all the students who volunteered and made this event a success!
Schools in King City/Gonzales
Del Rey Elementary hosted a fantastic Spring Carnival that celebrated natural movement. The event was a huge success, drawing families from the community for an evening filled with excitement and fun. Attendees enjoyed thrilling games, delicious food and refreshments, live entertainment, and a vibrant art exhibition gallery. It was a wonderful, active way to engage with one another and make lasting memories!
Your school can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ school site!
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March 2025
Teachers across Monterey County are joining our collaborative Type 2 Diabetes Campaign with Aspire Health, “Don’t Feed the Diabetes”, to facilitate diabetes prevention education in the classroom. To learn more about the Diabetes Education Modules developed for K-12th grade click the link below:
School Diabetes Awareness Education Modules - Don't Feed the Diabetes (dontfeedthediabetes.com)
Schools in Salinas
University Park Elementary has launched a Zumba Moai, led by our very own Paola Delgado, a certified Zumba instructor. It encourages parents and staff to come together, dance, and build connections. The benefits of Zumba include improved cardiovascular health, increased flexibility, stress relief, and enhanced mood. It’s a fun, energetic way to stay active while fostering a sense of community. Laurelwood Elementary parents will also join in on the fun, creating an even greater sense of unity and shared experience.
Jesse G. Sanchez Elementary hosted a successful school wellness committee meeting, drawing a great turnout from parents. The session featured informative discussions on nutrition and diabetes education, followed by a cooking demonstration from the Alisal Union School District Nutrition Department. Attendees had the opportunity to taste a delicious three-bean salad and a refreshing kale salad, both healthy options are served to students as part of their school meals.
Schools in the County BZP Project
We had a wonderful time supporting the North Monterey County Unified School District during their Professional Development Day. The day began with a Purpose workshop in the Nutrition Department, followed by a delicious hummus snack demonstration. Hummus offers a variety of health benefits, including providing a great source of plant-based protein, promoting heart health with its healthy fats, and aiding digestion with its fiber content. It's a tasty and nutritious snack option for both students and staff!
Soledad High School hosted an engaging resource fair filled with a variety of informative tables for parents to explore. It was an exciting opportunity for families to connect with valuable community resources and learn more about services that can support their children's success.
We were happy to support Arroyo Seco Academy's Parent Café, an exciting and well-attended event! Parents had the opportunity to learn about important topics like nutrition, diabetes education, and free health resources available in their community. It was a wonderful gathering that empowered families with valuable knowledge to help them lead healthier, longer lives and make the most of local health services.
Schools in the Peninsula Cities
We wanted to shout out Central Coast High School, a Blue Zones Project Approved School in Seaside! They have done an amazing job incorporating wellness into everything they do. Their Culinary Arts teacher leads an amazing program in which Senior High School students cook for seniors.
This month we’ve been working with our approved schools to keep the momentum going! We are planning student-led cooking demos, Walking School Buses, garden events, and supporting student health and wellbeing however we can.
A huge challenge that many schools are facing is vaping. These sites would love to expand their PE equipment inventory with the hope of providing healthy alternatives on campus. They have seen that if equipment is present, kids will make that healthy choice. If your site has extra PE equipment or if you work for an organization that would like to donate, please reach out to larisa@bluezones.com . I’d love to give your organization a shout out and make it easier for students to make the healthy choice!
Your school can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ school site!
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February 2025
Teachers across Monterey County are joining our collaborative Type 2 Diabetes Campaign with Aspire Health “Don’t Feed the Diabetes” to facilitate diabetes prevention education in the classroom. To learn more about the Diabetes Education Modules developed for K-12th grade click the link below:
School Diabetes Awareness Education Modules - Don't Feed the Diabetes (dontfeedthediabetes.com)
Schools in Salinas
Laurel Wood Elementary launched their Walking Moai! A Walking Moai combines the social benefits of a tight-knit community and the health perks of consistent walking, supporting both longevity and overall well-being. Laurel Wood’s Walking Moai meets every Thursday at 9:00AM.
Schools in South County
We participated in South County Farm Day. Throughout the day, we interacted with numerous schools, engaging students in conversations about the effects of sugar-sweetened beverages on our health. It was a great way to raise awareness and promote healthier choices.
Schools in the Peninsula Cities
This month we’ve been working with our approved schools to keep the momentum going! We are planning student-led cooking demos, Walking School Buses, garden events, and supporting student health and wellbeing however we can.
A huge challenge that many schools are facing is vaping. These sites would love to expand their PE equipment inventory with the hope of providing healthy alternatives on campus. They have seen that if equipment is present, kids will make that healthy choice. If your site has extra PE Equpiment or if you work for an organization that would like to donate, please reach out to larisa@bluezones.com . I’d love to give your organization a shout out and make it easier for students to make the healthy choice!
The Blue Zones Project Monterey Office will be moving to a new office location! While our address is changing, our commitment to serving and supporting our community remains as strong as ever. We’re still here, just in a different spot. Thank you for your continued support as we continue working together to make Monterey a healthier place to live, work, and play! Stay tuned for more updates.
Your school can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ school site!
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January 2025
Healthy Tips to Kickstart the New Year
Starting the new year with healthy habits can set the tone for a successful and balanced year. For families with school-aged children, the transition back into routine after the holidays can be a great time to focus on wellness. Here are some practical tips to help your family stay healthy, energized, and connected:
1. Prioritize Balanced Breakfasts
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Whole grain oatmeal with fruit and nuts
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Scrambled eggs with veggies and whole wheat toast
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Smoothies with spinach, frozen berries, Greek yogurt, and chia seeds
2. Create a Family Meal Plan
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Involve your kids in meal prep! This encourages them to try new foods and teaches them valuable cooking skills.
3. Stay Active Together
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Take evening walks after dinner
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Go on weekend bike rides
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Play sports in the backyard or at the park (soccer, basketball, frisbee)
4. Encourage Healthy Snacks
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Apple slices with peanut butter or almond butter
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Veggies with hummus
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Whole-grain crackers with cheese
5. Set Regular Sleep Schedules
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Set a regular bedtime for all family members (including parents!) and stick to it.
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Create a calming bedtime routine dim lights, quiet time, or reading together can help signal that it's time to wind down.
6. Hydrate Regularly
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Keep a water bottle with you during the day (especially for school-aged kids).
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Add slices of fruit or cucumber to make water more appealing to children.
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Limit sugary drinks and sodas, as they can cause energy crashes and contribute to unhealthy weight gain.
7. Foster Mental Well-being
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Practice mindfulness as a family: Try a short meditation or breathing exercises together.
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Make time for fun and relaxation whether it's family movie night, reading, or just hanging out.
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Create a gratitude jar where family members can add notes about things they’re thankful for each week.
8. Promote Screen-Free Time
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Play board games or puzzles together.
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Get outdoors for unstructured playtime or nature walks.
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Read books as a family or explore creative hobbies (drawing, crafting, etc.).
9. Plan Family Health Check-ups
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Keep track of important vaccinations and health milestones.
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Discuss any mental health concerns or changes in behavior with your pediatrician.
10. Be a Role Model
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Children often mimic their parents’ behaviors. Make your own health a priority, and they’ll be more likely to do the same. Whether it’s eating healthy, exercising, or practicing self-care, show your kids that wellness matters every day.
11. Reduce Stress with Family Routines
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Break up schoolwork into manageable chunks, with breaks for movement or snacks in between.
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Set a "chill hour" before bed, where the whole family can unwind together (no screens, just quiet activities).
12. Focus on Gratitude and Positivity
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Try keeping a family gratitude journal where everyone adds to it every evening.
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Use positive reinforcement to celebrate healthy habits, like eating vegetables or being active.
By integrating these healthy habits into your family’s routine, you can set the stage for a productive, fun, and balanced year. It’s all about creating a supportive environment where everyone feels encouraged to take care of their bodies and minds!
Schools in Salinas
We were thrilled to be part of North Salinas High School's inaugural Community Posada. Families enjoyed delicious free food, giveaways, live music, Folklorico performances, and bags of fresh produce. It was a wonderful event that brought the community together, celebrating culture, resources, and connection.
Schools in the Monterey County
Gabilan Elementary has successfully launched their Walking Moai! The term "Moai" comes from Okinawa, Japan, a renowned Blue Zones area known for its residents' longevity and excellent health. It translates to meeting for a common purpose and has been used to create strong social connections. Gabilan's Walking Moai meets every Wednesday at 4:30 PM.
Schools in the Peninsula Cities
This month, we presented about Blue Zones Project and our local work to over 100 Culinary Arts students at Marina High School, buttressing our partnership with the school and the CTE program. We will happily support the class with future projects! For example, last year this class utilized the garden as an outdoor learning environment and the students led a plant-based cooking demo. We’re excited to see what this year brings.
With 2025 approaching, many schools have big plans to keep the momentum of their Blue Zones Project Approval going! We are planning Walking School Buses, garden events, and supporting student health and wellbeing however we can.
MPUSD continues to provide family well-being workshops that are free of charge and include dinner/ childcare. These workshops were recently held at three Blue Zones Approved schools, Los Arboles Middle School, Ione Olson Elementary, and Marina High School.
Your school can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ school site!
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December 2024
Schools in Salinas
Everett Alvarez High School hosted its second Eagle Summit, providing students with an opportunity to explore various organizations and topics of interest. We were thrilled to engage with students during the workshop, inviting them to be part of future BZP events and activities. Our presentation focused on health and well-being, featuring an engaging game that encouraged students to connect with one another while enjoying the benefits of natural movement.
Schools in the Peninsula Cities
In November, four Seaside schools participated in the Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day. We supported the events for Seaside Middle School, Del Rey Woods, Dr. Martin Luther King Junior School of the Arts, and Ord Terrace. Across all events, there were over 400+ people that got to learn about the impact of Ruby Bridges, connect with one another, and start their day moving naturally.
Del Rey Woods Elementary received the Whole Kids Garden Grant with Blue Zones Project listed as the community partner. We wrote a letter of support for this school, acknowledging the amazing fourth grade teachers that have volunteered their time to learn more about gardening, work to integrate gardening into their curriculum, and support with the garden committee on site. We’re excited to continue supporting!
Blue Zones Project presented to Los Arboles Middle School’s Leadership Club, Falcons For the Future. Students got to learn more about Blue Zones Project and consider how their events can be planned through a lens of wellness. They are also considering volunteering and partnering with us on future passion projects. We’re excited to see what the future holds!
For Diabetes Awareness Month, we taught Aspire Health’s Type 2 Diabetes Education Modules to all students at Ione Olson Elementary School. This is the third year in a row that students from Ione Olson have participated in the program, and we have received many comments from teachers, leadership, and students about the impact of this program on site. The students got a special visit from the Type 2 Diabetes Beast and taught him some of the key lessons they learned.
Schools in the Monterey County
We had the pleasure of attending North Monterey County Unified School District’s annual Resource Festival, where Blue Zones Project was honored as the Community Partner of the Year. This prestigious recognition celebrates our partnership including impactful work with schools, worksites, and the remarkable collaboration with the Castroville Farmers Market.
We had the privilege of presenting at Greenfield Union School District's Parent Empowerment Workshop, where we showcased a fun and healthy snack demonstration featuring beet hummus, a delicious blend of garbanzo beans and beets, both low-glycemic foods perfect for November's Diabetes Awareness Month. The workshop concluded with a lively Zumba session that left parents feeling energized, engaged, and inspired!
Your school can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ school site!
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November 2024
November is National Diabetes Awareness Month! Teachers across Monterey County are joining our collaborative Type 2 Diabetes Campaign with Aspire Health “Don’t Feed the Diabetes” to facilitate diabetes prevention education in the classroom. To learn more about the Diabetes Education Modules developed for K-12th grade click the link below:
School Diabetes Awareness Education Modules - Don't Feed the Diabetes (dontfeedthediabetes.com)
Schools in Salinas
Gavilan View Middle School approval was recognized at the Santa Rita Union School District Board Meeting! The school is committed to enhancing its environment to better support the physical, social, and emotional health of students and families. Go Hawks!
We also hosted a Free School Garden Workshop in the beautiful garden at Gavilan View Middle School. Teachers and staff from Santa Rita Union School District joined us to learn about caring for school gardens. Participants engaged in raised bed planting and discovered ways to use garden spaces as outdoor learning environments. Thank you to everyone who attended!
Parents from Sherwood Elementary School joined us for a successful Grocery Store Tour at La Princesa Market, where we shared tips on reading nutrition labels and selecting fresh, healthy options. This experience helped further strengthen our life radius and support healthy lifestyle choices within our community.
Congratulations to Gavilan View Middle School and Boronda Meadows Elementary School for completing their 10-week Walking Moai! Surrounding yourself with supportive people and making the effort to connect with others can add more years to your life!
Congratulations to University Park Elementary parents on reaching the 2-year anniversary of their Walking Moai! They continue to meet and walk together, deepening their connections and strengthening their positive community. They’ve truly found their “positive pack”!
Schools in other County areas
This month, San Benancio Middle School became Blue Zones Project Approved! To celebrate their recent Blue Zones Project Approval, we presented to the staff at San Benancio Middle School. We are so excited about this partnership. With their approval, now every school in Washington Union School District is Blue Zones Project Approved!
On Walk and Roll to School Day, Castroville Elementary families and staff gathered at the North County Recreation Center, where they enjoyed warm hot chocolate and scones provided by the fantastic NMCUSD Nutrition Department. Scooters were raffled off, and the local fire department came out to support the event. Together, students, families, and staff walked to Castroville Elementary, emphasizing the importance of safe routes to school.
The Greenfield Union School District's Family Fun Run Field Day was a fantastic success! Students, families, and staff came together for an exciting 3K run, engaging field games, delicious food, great music, and a vibrant community resource fair. This event provided a wonderful opportunity to connect, enjoy the outdoors, and get moving naturally.
Schools in the Peninsula Cities
In October, we launched a pilot program to provide local and fresh produce boxes at Ord Terrace Elementary. Though the Double Up Food Bucks Initiative, if customers paid with EBT, they could get the box 50% OFF! We’re so grateful for all who participated and to Ord Terrace for hosting this program!
Dr. Martin Luther King Junior School of the Arts became a Blue Zones Project Approved School! They implemented numerous best practices to buttress student health and wellbeing including enhancing the cafeteria environment to nudge students to make healthier choices, utilizing their garden as an outdoor learning environment, and hosting family well-being events. We’re excited for this continued partnership and look forward to celebrating this accomplishment in the future.
This month, Blue Zones Project supported the Bay View Academy nature club during their Fall Break. We did a lesson on gardening and had so much fun watching the students get excited about gardening.
Your school can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ school site!
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October 2024
Schools in Salinas
This month, to celebrate their recent Blue Zones Project Approval, we presented to the staff at Toro Park Elementary School. We also presented the school with a gift card to support their school garden.
We attended the back-to-school night at Central Bay High School. Families had the chance to meet the therapy horses used for equine therapy. It was a great way to introduce the school’s unique programs to the community.
Schools in Gonzales/King City
We participated in the King City Arts Magnet School Resource Fair. Families were able to learn about both school and community resources available to support their children. The highlight of the event was a special performance by the local Folklorico group, showcasing vibrant cultural traditions.
Schools in County
Rose Ferrero Elementary and Gabilan Elementary hosted their back-to-school night, bringing families together for an informative evening. Parents had the opportunity to learn about available school resources and meet the staff. Both schools provided valuable information on how families can support their children's education. It was a successful event, fostering strong connections between the schools and their communities.
Schools in Peninsula Cities
Local and fresh produce boxes will be available for ALL Monterey County residents. Anyone can purchase the boxes for $30. Though the Double Up Food Bucks Initiative, if you pay with your EBT card, you can get the box 50% OFF (for $15)! They will be sold every Tuesday at Ord Terrace Elementary School between 1:30-5pm.
Blue Zones Project Monterey County held a Healthy Snack Demo for the families at Ord Terrace Elementary School. Families and students learned how to make chia pudding, and so many students were asking for seconds (and thirds). We are grateful for our partnership with the school.
We went to Bay View Academy’s Celebration of Learning to share resources and connect with families/ students. It was great to see how many students were already familiar with Blue Zones Project.
Blue Zones Project is excited to partner with Gavilan View Middle School to host a free garden workshop specifically designed for teachers and school staff, taking place on October 9th from 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM. This is a great opportunity to enhance your skills and collaborate with colleagues from various schools. We encourage you to join us for an afternoon of professional growth and learning.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Your school can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ school site!
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September 2024
Schools in Peninsula Cities
Ord Terrace Elementary is a Blue Zones Project Approved School! Ord Terrace implemented many researched best practices to help students move naturally, eat wisely, connect, and find their purpose. Thank you, Ord Terrace, for creating an environment that supports student and family wellbeing! We got to celebrate their approval at their Back to School Night this month.
We attended many Back to School Nights and TK/Kinder Kick Offs to show support for our approved schools. We appreciate all our schools for fostering a culture of student health and wellbeing from day one!
Schools in Salinas
Congratulations to the Everett Alvarez High School parent group for completing their 10-week Walking Moai! They celebrated with a healthy and delicious potluck. Walking is a fantastic way to stay active, and connecting with others can contribute to a longer, healthier life.
We attended the back-to-school night at Loma Vista Elementary. Many families joined to enjoy some delicious food and participate in their children's education. It was great to see so many parents involved.
We want to acknowledge University Park Elementary, Lincoln Elementary, Gavilan View Middle School, and Boronda Meadows Elementary for successfully launching their Walking Moai! The term "Moai" originates from Okinawa, Japan, a Blue Zones region known for its residents' longevity and good health. It translates to "meeting for a common purpose" and has been used for centuries to create strong social connections.
Schools in Gonzales/King City
Congratulations to Del Rey Elementary School for becoming the first school in King City to become BZP Approved! They are dedicated to enhancing their school environment to better promote the physical, social, and emotional health of their students and families! The entire school gathered for a special celebration during the morning flag ceremony!
Your school can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ school site!
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August 2024
Back to School Ideas for Parent Involvement
According to the CDC, parent involvement makes school a healthier and more supportive place, demonstrating a commitment to supporting children's learning and development.
Here are some ways to get involved in school activities:
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Become part of the decision-making process for school health policies and practices by attending your district's board meetings, school site council meetings, and other relevant school meetings. If applicable, join your PTO/PTA to further your involvement.
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Request that the school provide opportunities for parents to participate in health activities, such as a district-wide fitness challenge, family nights, or wellness events.
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Discuss healthy behaviors with your child and reinforce the nutrition and physical activity messages and practices they learn at school.
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Ensure communication with the school is a two-way street. Stay informed by reading school newsletters and attending parent-teacher-student conferences. Inquire about how the school is supporting students' health and emotional well-being and ask how you can support these efforts at home.
Back-to-school season is a perfect opportunity for parents to reinforce behaviors that reduce the impact of stressful life events and to teach children skills for overcoming challenges, helping them reach their full potential. For more information visit the CDC Healthy Schools page https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/features/B2S.htm
BZP Schools in Salinas
Blue Zones Project participated in the Alisal Union School District’s Outdoor Day! Families enjoyed various activities, including musical chairs, lawn games, and obstacle courses. We had a great time informing families about maintaining a healthy, balanced diet while incorporating a fun, natural movement game to complement it!
In collaboration with the Hartnell College TRIO Program, we hosted an engaging and interactive snack demonstration for the students. Together, we prepared a delicious and healthy garbanzo agua chile.
We partnered with Brighter Bites and Catholic Charities to bring a fun food experience to the students at the YMCA and First Tee. The students learned how to make delicious and colorful spring rolls. Fresh fruits and vegetables are packed with nutrients that help combat disease!
Congratulations to the Salinas City Elementary School District parents for completing their summer walking event! El Gabilan Elementary hosted a summer walking series where parents gathered weekly to walk around the neighborhood. Besides the benefits of natural movement, connecting with others can also add more years to your life!
NEW BZP Approved School!
Congratulations to Central Coast High School for becoming the 60th Blue Zones Project approved school in Monterey County! They are dedicated to enhancing their school environment to better promote the physical, social, and emotional health of their students and their families.
Your school can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ school site!
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July 2024
Summer provides a great opportunity to move naturally, connect, downshift, and eat wisely. It is a great time to explore new activities, enjoy the outdoors, and spend more time with family and friends. Below are some ideas to keep wellness as a priority while also having fun:
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Move Naturally: explore local parks, take a hike, go for a swim
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Eat Wisely: visit a local farmer’s market, cook a meal together, try something new
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Connect: spend some no-phone time with family, have a game night
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Downshift: take a walk, enjoy some self-care time
Staying active, maintaining a balanced diet, finding time to relax, and surrounding yourself with friends and family will positively influence your physical, mental, and emotional well-being and make this season one to remember.
Your school can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ school site!
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June 2024
New BZP Approved Schools
Los Arboles Middle School celebrated becoming a BZP Approved School!
The approval celebration took place at their Open House. BZP gave a speech to tell families more about the work that was done to improve student wellbeing and share the “why” behind the partnership. Thank you for all your hard work in creating a healthier school environment for students.
Lincoln Elementary School becomes part of the BZP family
Congratulations to Lincoln Elementary School for becoming the 9th school in the Salinas City Elementary School District to become BZP Approved! They are dedicated to enhancing their school environment to better promote the physical, social, and emotional health of their students and their families. Go Leopards!
Healthy Food Demos
We put a plant-based healthy snack demo for Dual Language Academy of Monterey Peninsula’s Cafecito! Families were trying chia pudding and learning about how to make the healthy choice the easy choice.
Cindy Lepore Hart, the Marina High School Culinary Arts Teacher, and her culinary students put on a healthy cooking demo in collaboration with Blue Zones Project. We had a full house of about 30 people consisting of students, teachers, and community members. Thank you, Cindy! We appreciate all the time and effort spent coordinating, prepping, and preparing the students. She said about 75 students helped make the homemade tortillas and prep the dishes, and there were 6 students who volunteered their time to help lead the cooking demo!
Your school can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ school site!
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May 2024
Thank you to all the teachers and school sites that taught Aspire Health’s Type 2 Diabetes Education Modules. Each teacher that taught the modules before April 26th was given swag for each student and a $50 gift card toward classroom supplies. The winners of the grand prize of $1200 to support student wellbeing at the site are:
Lincoln Elementary School
Soledad High School
Toro Park Elementary School
School Diabetes Awareness Education Modules - Don't Feed the Diabetes (dontfeedthediabetes.com)
NEW Blue Zones Project Approved Schools!
Frank Ledesma Elementary School
At April’s faculty meeting, we celebrated awarding Dr. Sison and his team with their certificate of approval and a $500 gift card to Home Depot to help spruce up their school garden/outdoor learning environment. Thank you for all the hard work in creating a healthier school environment for students.
International School of Monterey
The approval celebration took place at their family wellbeing event featuring a fellow approved worksite, Ohana. We gave a speech to tell families more about the work that was done to improve student wellbeing and share the “why” behind the partnership. They recently hired a chef on site to help improve the student meals. Families got to taste test some options and provide feedback. Two of the dishes were plant-based!
Monte Vista
At their wonderful carnival, we celebrated with frisbees and hula hoops! What a great opportunity for students and families to build connections and move naturally. Thank you for all the hard work you’ve poured into making the environment healthy for your students.
San Vicente Elementary School
We celebrated awarding Ms. White and her team with their certificate of approval and a $500 gift card to Home Depot to help spruce up their school garden/outdoor learning environment, at their Friday morning schoolwide assembly. Thank you for all the hard work in creating a healthier school environment for students.
Marina High School Saturday Academy students got the opportunity to learn and work in their school garden!
We were able to plant in a few of their raised beds and students got to learn about how gardening and the food grown in the garden can improve their health and well-being. The students even got to see what the inside of a watermelon radish looks like!
Bay View Academy Lower Campus has maintained a Walking School Bus all year long!
Thank you, Mr. Sam for keeping the Walking School Bus active. It was amazing to see the students moving naturally in the morning, having fun with friends and family, and preparing themselves to be ready to learn.
Salinas Certification Site Visits
We extend our sincere gratitude to the following schools for kindly hosting us during the Salinas certification week. Despite their demanding schedules, they took the time to showcase their exemplary practices and outstanding work within their educational communities.
We also wish to express our appreciation to Dr. Guss, County Superintendent of Schools and Dr. Vela, Assistant Superintendent Student Services for their invaluable support and for graciously joining us during the visits.
Creekside Elementary, University Park Elementary, Frank Paul Elementary, Centra Bay High School, Gavilan View Middle School
SUHSD Migrant Program Parent Workshop
We had a fantastic time participating in the Parent Workshop at El Sausal Middle School on April 11, 2024. Families were provided with nutrition information, enjoyed a delicious hummus snack demonstration, engaged in an energizing Zumba session, and were able to take home fresh fruits and vegetables.
Santa Rita Union School Resource Fair
We participated in the resource fair and spent a day with families from the Santa Rita School District. There was a wonderful variety of local resources available, including services from the Salinas Valley Health mobile clinic, as well as plenty of enjoyable physical activity games.
Your school can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ school site!
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April 2024
Diabetes Alert Day is observed annually on the fourth Tuesday of March and this year, it fell on March 26th. Diabetes Alert Day is aimed at raising public awareness about the risks and symptoms associated with diabetes. Diabetes occurs when the body’s blood glucose level is too high. This is caused by a deficiency in the insulin produced by the body, which is the hormone that lets glucose enter cells and be used as energy. Excess glucose in the blood can lead to several health problems. The most common types of diabetes are Type 1, Type 2, and gestational diabetes. Lifestyle changes like a healthy diet and exercise can drastically reduce the chances of developing type 2 diabetes.
If you want to teach your class about Type 2 Diabetes, here is a quick 30-minute module that you can use with your class (created by Aspire Health). For completing the module, your class will receive swag from Aspire Health. Additionally, if you’re one of the first 100 teachers to complete it, you’ll receive a $50 VISA gift card to put towards classroom supplies.
School Diabetes Awareness Education Modules - Don't Feed the Diabetes (dontfeedthediabetes.com)
Blue Zones Project Monterey County offered a Free School Garden Workshop/ Collaboration Time on March 7th at Los Arboles Middle School. Garden champions from many school sites across the peninsula and in Salinas came out to learn and share resources. All site representatives were able to take home seeds and starts to bring back to their school garden.
BZP Approved Schools
International School of Monterey and All Saints Day School are now BZP approved school sites!These sites have implemented many healthy initiatives including adopting a classroom and hallway rule to encourage students to only drink water during class time, encouraging families not to bring food related goodies for birthday celebrations, putting up posters in the cafeteria to nudge students to make healthier choices, and creating multiple opportunities for families to connect. Congratulations to International School of Monterey and All Saints Day School for your commitment to creating healthier environments for your students!
All Saints Day School celebrated their Blue Zones Project Approval on March 18th with a school wide assembly. Students and families were able to learn more about this partnership while all wearing blue spirit wear. "We are thrilled and honored to announce that All Saints Day School has been designated a Blue Zones Project Approved ™ School. This prestigious recognition underscores our commitment to fostering a culture of well-being within our school community. Partnering with the Blue Zones Project Monterey County is an exciting opportunity for us to further enhance the health and happiness of our students, staff, and families. Together, we look forward to implementing innovative programs and initiatives that promote longevity, wellness, and a sense of belonging. This partnership aligns perfectly with our mission to empower individuals to lead fulfilling lives, and we are eager to embark on this journey towards a healthier future, both inside and outside the classroom."- Scott Fujita, Head of School at All Saints Day School
San Vicente Elementary School, with the Soledad Unified School District is now a BZP approved school Site! San Vicente Elementary School has implemented many healthy initiatives including adopting a classroom and hallway rule to encourage students to only drink water during class time, putting up posters in the cafeteria to nudge students to make healthier choices, creating multiple opportunities for families to connect, and offering a robust outdoor learning environment utilizing their school garden to teach students about horticulture. Thank you, San Vicente Elementary for your commitment to create healthier environments for your students!
Purpose Workshop
When individuals find a clarity of purpose, they can enjoy a more centered and vibrant life — and even live up to 7 years longer.
Blue Zones Project hosted a purpose workshop for the staff at Bay View Academy. A purpose workshop is a time of reflection and interactive discussions. It’s about discovering or rediscovering gifts talents, and values. At the end, teachers and staff walked away equipped with a purpose statement as well as tools for living a more purposeful life.
Eagle Summit: Wings of Power
Blue Zones Project participated in the inaugural Eagle Summit: Wings of Power at Everett Alvarez High School. The Eagle Summit strives to empower students to embrace positive choices that will lead them towards a meaningful, enriching, and successful future. At the core of the conference lies a central theme: equipping this generation with the necessary tools to not only lead but also thrive within our communities.
Salinas High School Nutrition Education
Blue Zones Project collaborated with Ms. Anderson's Health Class at Salinas High School to partake in discussions about nutrition and overall well-being. During the session, students learned to read nutrition labels and the importance of maintaining a healthy, balanced diet. Students engaged in the Rethink Your Drink activity, exploring, and understanding the sugar content of their preferred sugar sweetened beverages.
Your school can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ school site!
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March 2024
Free School Garden Workshop/ Collaboration Time
A whole-school approach to health and wellbeing brings together principals, school councils, staff, food services, students, families, and the wider community to promote healthy initiatives across the school. Everyone has a role to play! One place to start is considering starting and sustaining a school garden. School gardens serve as great cross-curricular outdoor learning environments, get students moving naturally, and help bridge the connection between how food is made and healthy eating habits.
Blue Zones Project Monterey County hosted a Free School Garden Workshop/ Collaboration Time on March 7th in Marina. If you want to support with your school garden, please email Larisa at larisa.sheparovich@sharecare.com for more information about workshops or more free resources for your garden sustainability.
School Garden Support
The City of Marina recently donated wood chips/compost from ReGen to Los Arboles School, which originally came from green waste bins utilized throughout Marina. Mayor Bruce Delgado was instrumental in making this happen! Blue Zones Project Monterey County and Mayor Bruce Delgado were on-site to help with the delivery. The wood chips will go a long way to help with weed suppression and conserve water at the school site. Thank you, Julie Haws for the work you do in the garden and for educating scholars. Thank you, Alex for recruiting students from PE to support with the drop off/ opening the gates.
BZP Approval Celebrations
Fairview Middle School, celebrated their BZP approval celebration on February 16th at their PBIS Rally. Congratulations Fairview Middle School as you pave the path to sustaining and promoting healthier environments for students.
Monte Vista, with the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District, is now a BZP approved school site!Monte Vista has implemented many healthy initiatives including adopting a classroom and hallway rule to encourage students to only drink water during class time, encouraging families not to bring food related goodies for birthday celebrations, putting up posters in the cafeteria to nudge students to make healthier choices, and creating multiple opportunities for families to connect. Congratulations to Monte Vista for your commitment to creating healthier environments for your students!
Marina High School celebrated their BZP School Approval! Students got to enjoy learning about healthy options during their lunch. Blue Zones Project set up a table and many students were interested in learning more and excited to represent with BZP swag. Live Earth Farms in collaboration with MPUSD Nutrition Services also had a free produce tasting during lunch to get students to try foods they maybe had never tried before. We’re excited about our partnership with Marina High School and looking forward to supporting with sustainability.
Washington Elementary School, with Washington Union School District is now a BZP approved school site!Washington Elementary School has implemented many healthy initiatives including adopting a classroom and hallway rule to encourage students to only drink water during class time, putting up posters in the cafeteria to nudge students to make healthier choices, creating multiple opportunities for families to connect, and building an outdoor learning environment to support SEL, hands on learning and horticulture. Congratulations to Washington Elementary.
Diabetes II Education & Awareness
All Saints Day School received a visit from the Don’t Feed the Type-2 Diabetes Beast in February. Their entire school and their PTO group learned about Blue Zones Project as their school is working towards BZP School Approval. Additionally, they also learned more about Type 2 Diabetes from Aspire Health’s Don’t Feed the Diabetes module.
Creekside Elementary Schoolhosted a school assembly to educate students about The Power 9 and Type 2 diabetes. Through the Rethink Your Drink activity, students learned about sugar-sweetened beverages. The event saw participation from over 500 students who also had the opportunity to meet "The Beast”.
March 26th is Diabetes Alert Day.
If you want to teach your class about Type 2 Diabetes, here is a quick 30-minute module that you can use with your class (created by Aspire Health). For completing the module, your class will receive swag from Aspire Health. Additionally, if you’re one of the first 100 teachers to complete it, you’ll receive a $50 VISA gift card to put towards classroom supplies.
School Diabetes Awareness Education Modules - Don't Feed the Diabetes (dontfeedthediabetes.com)
Purpose Workshops
When individuals find a clarity of purpose, they can enjoy a more centered and vibrant life — and even live up to 7 years longer.
Blue Zones Project hosted a purpose workshop for the students at Central Bay High School, along with a sequence of three workshops held at Palma High School. A purpose workshop is a time of reflection and interactive discussions. It’s about discovering or rediscovering gifts talents, and values. At the end, students walked away equipped with a purpose statement as well as tools for living a more purposeful life.
Your school can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ school site!
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February 2024
February is American Heart Month
American Heart Month is a time when the nation spotlights heart disease. According to the American Heart Association heart disease is preventable in most cases.
To avoid heart disease, consider incorporating the following healthy lifestyle practices:
- No smoking
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Controlling blood sugar and cholesterol
- Treating high blood pressure
- Getting at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity a week
- Attending regular checkups
For more information visit: https://www.heart.org/
Frank Ledesma Elementary School & Gabilan Elementary School, with the Soledad Unified School District are now BZP approved school sites! Frank Ledesma & Gabilan Elementary Schools have implemented many healthy initiatives including adopting a classroom and hallway rule to encourage students to only drink water during class time, putting up posters in the cafeteria to nudge students to make healthier choices, creating multiple opportunities for families to connect, and ensuring that students are active most of the time they are in PE. Congratulations to Frank Ledesma and Gabilan Elementary Schools for your commitment to creating healthier environments for your students!
Monterey Park Elementary Walking Moai Celebration
Congratulations to Monterey Park Elementary School for completing their 10- week Walking Moai. They marked the conclusion of their journey with a delicious potluck celebration!
Garden Volunteer Day
Rancho San Juan High School students returned to University Park Elementary to engage in gardening activities. Their dedicated efforts aimed to enhance the outdoor learning space, a special thanks to Mrs. Tari Johnson and her class for their valuable contribution!
Jesse G. Sanchez Walking School Bus
Jesse G. Sanchez launched their Walking School Bus Tuesday January 23, 2024. A Walking School Bus is an adult- supervised walking group creating a safe, fun, and active way for students to get to school. Blue Zones Project has partnered with Ecology Action for this initiative. This event will take place every Tuesday morning for the next 6 weeks.
Ione Olson Elementary had Blue Zones Project come out to do a Rethink Your Drink Assembly. Students learned how to read a nutrition label for sneaky, added sugar. Whether it was being a model for their families/ class by drinking more water or limiting sugar-sweetened beverages to only special occasions, students left with a plan to support their goal of having less added sugar. They also put-up updated signage to encourage families to pack only water for their students.
Your school can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ school site!
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January 2024
Tips for Winter Break
Winter break is a great time to reconnect with family and downshift. However, this time can also feel chaotic and maybe even stressful. Here are a few tips to help you enjoy winter break:
1. Create a structure or routine and stick to it! Kids thrive with structure, and it will also be a huge help when the students are going back to school.
2. Make time for important conversations.
3. Reflect and look forward. You can do this individually and as a family to see what goals you have for the next year and how you plan to accomplish them.
4. Ask for support! If you’re feeling overwhelmed, lean on your friends/family (your positive pack) to support you.
5. Find ways to move naturally as a family. Whether it’s a 3-song clean up or a dance break, moving naturally will help relieve stress and the workouts will compound throughout the day.
6. Eat wisely! There’s a huge connection between what we eat and how we feel. Try putting out healthy snacks or a plant-based dish around the holidays.
As we close out the 2023-year, Blue Zones Project Monterey County now has 45 Approved Schools! Thank you to all the schools who have prioritized student health and wellness! In these schools, we focus on researched best practices to decrease absenteeism, decrease discipline issues, and provide an environment in which the healthy choice is the easy choice.
Registration link: Organization Registration - Monterey County (bluezonesproject.com)
Blue Zones Project Approved Schools: Blue Zones Project | Schools
Brighter Bites Award Ceremony
Blue Zones Project received an award from the Brighter Bites Team for Community Collaboration. BZP’s schools’ team has been partnering with Brighter Bites for the last 3 years, to offer fun food experiences and promote awareness on various wellbeing topics by tabling at different school distribution sites throughout Montrey County. Sending a warm Thank You to Alicia Blanco and the Brighter Bites Team for Monterey County! We look forward to collaborating in 2024 to promote health and wellbeing to students and their families.
Story Speech with MPC
Monterey Peninsula College had us come visit to do a Story Speech for one of their classes. It was great to get to meet the students and see their excitement for supporting the community. If your students or faculty are interested in learning more about the Blue Zones Project story, reach out to us!
Farmers Market Vouchers
MPUSD wrapped up the Free Farmers Market Voucher initiative. Many students and faculty were able to take advantage of a free voucher to purchase produce at the Seaside Farmers Market (Thursdays from 3-7pm at Laguna Grande Park).
El Gabilan Walking Moai Celebration
Congratulations to El Gabilan Elementary School for completing their 10- week Walking Moai. The completion of the walking group was not just an end point but a celebration of the social connections that were fostered every week.
Gavilan View Middle School Walking Moai Celebration
Congratulations to Gavilan View Middle School for completing their 10- week Walking Moai. Surrounding yourself with likeminded people & making the effort to connect with others can add more years to your life. Way to go!
Your school can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ school site!
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December 2023
Countywide Snack Demos
In the month of November, BZP participated in several snack demos throughout Monterey County with several school sites. The snack demos focused on low glycemic index foods specifically highlighting Dates known as “Datiles” in Spanish. We demonstrated simple recipes using dates to create savory small snacks such as Peanut butter stuffed dates, Energy Bites which are a combination of dates, mixed nuts with nut butter, and a warm vegan coffee recipe. The snack demos were a big hit with parents, students, and staff. Thank you to our partners at Brighter Bites for the generous donation of organic dates!
School Garden Support
Blue Zones Project Monterey County, in collaboration with Grow Your Lunch, hosted a Free School Garden Workshop for MPUSD/ the Peninsula Cities at the Monterey Adult School. Teachers and staff from across the district and beyond learned how to start and care for school gardens. Participants were able to engage in raised bed planting, learn more about how to utilize the garden space as an outdoor learning environment, and explore the Ohlone garden. Thank you to all the staff who attended.
This month, we provided a garden lesson for the garden elective at Monte Vista School in which the students were able to plant some starts in their beautiful hillside garden. Additionally, we were able to get some starts for the fourth-grade teachers at Del Rey Woods Elementary who have been amazing garden champions! We’re excited to see how all the MPUSD school gardens continue to grow and create space for learning!
Type 2 Diabetes Education
Aspire Health has created a 30-minute Don’t Feed the Diabetes education module that is applicable for elementary, middle, and high school students. The first 100 teachers to attest that they have completed the lesson are eligible for a $50 gift card that they can use to purchase classroom supplies. So far, over 1800 students across Monterey County have received the education since August 2023.
To learn more about the Diabetes Education Modules click the link below:
School Diabetes Awareness Education Modules - Don't Feed the Diabetes
University Park Walking Moai Celebration
Congratulations to University Park Elementary School for completing their 10- week Walking Moai. The completion of the walking group was not just an end point but a celebration of the social connections that were fostered every week. They intend to continue with their walking routine!
Alisal Union School District Resource Fair
Blue Zones Project participated in this year’s successful AUSD Resource Fair. Resource fairs offer an abundance of information covering a diverse range of topics and it is a great opportunity to connect with our community!
Your school can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ school site!
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November 2023
November is National Diabetes Awareness month!
Teachers across Monterey County are joining our collaborative Diabetes Campaign with Aspire Health “Don’t Feed the Diabetes” to facilitate diabetes prevention education in the classroom. This school year we have reached 1000 students and we are striving to reach 7000 students this school year! To learn more about the Diabetes Education Modules developed for k-12th grade click the link below:
School Diabetes Awareness Education Modules - Don't Feed the Diabetes (dontfeedthediabetes.com)
Los Arboles Middle School in Marina just became a Blue Zones Approved School
This is the first middle school approval in the Peninsula Cities. Los Arboles Middle School implemented numerous best practices to buttress student health and wellbeing including enhancing the cafeteria environment to nudge students to make healthier choices, scheduling a nutrition education lesson with Kids Eat Right, and creating a school guideline to find alternatives to food as rewards. We’re excited for this continued partnership, and look forward to celebrating this accomplishment in the future.
Garden Volunteer Day
Rancho San Juan High School students rallied together to contribute their time and energy to help clean up the garden at University Park Elementary. As they worked side by side, the high school volunteers not only beautified the surrounding area but also conveyed valuable lessons in teamwork and responsibility to the 3rd graders from Mrs. Ricigliano’s class, who joined the cleaning efforts! A big thanks to Maribel Fregoso, parent coordinator at University Park and Tari Johnson, Functional Academics Teacher at Rancho San Juan for helping this event come to fruition.
"The Functional Academics Class at Rancho San Juan High School had a great day of helping the 3rd graders at University Park school clean up their garden area. After 2 hours of hard work, and about 9 large trash bags full of weeds, etc, it was beginning to really take shape. My students were exhausted, and very happy to have been able to help out. We look forward to helping again in the future. “Tari Johnson - Functional Academics Teacher
If you are a High School who wants to partner with an Elementary School or an Elementary School who wants to partner with a High School for volunteer opportunities, contact Brenda Cabrera at brenda.cabrera@sharecare.com
Garden Capacity Building Workshop
In partnership with Ben Eichorn from Grow Your Lunch, we hosted a Garden Capacity Building Workshop for teachers at Creekside Elementary. This workshop aimed to empower educators with the knowledge and skills needed to integrate gardening into the school curriculum, fostering a deeper connection between students and the natural world. Blue Zones Project’s purpose is to not only enhance the overall well-being of students but also cultivate a sense of environmental safeguarding from a young age, contributing to the development of healthier communities.
This same free school garden workshop will be held on November 16th at the Monterey Adult School in Seaside from 3:30-5:30PM. If you work at a school or have connections to a school garden, please reach out to Larisa Sheparovich at larisa.sheparovich@sharecare.com for registration information.
Blue Zones Approved Schools
Blue Zones Project Monterey County supported two Blue Zones Approved schools in the Peninsula Cities with a garden refresh! Dual Language Academy of the Monterey Penisula had families come out to their Saturday Academy to create a sustainable outdoor learning environment in their garden. It was amazing to see multiple generations coming together to support with this. Many of the supplies that were utilized were awarded to Dual Language Academy of the Monterey Peninsula through Aspire Health’s grand prize for the Diabetes Prevention Education Campaign (more information on this at the top of the school section within this newsletter).
Additionally, Santa Catalina Upper School had Blue Zones Project come out to do some gardening lessons with students. Students learned more about how to “Eat Wisely” while working in their school garden!
Your school can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ school site!
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October 2023
October 4th is National Walk, Bike, Roll to School Day!
Some of the best ways to increase the safety of a child’s walking or rolling trip to school are to:
- Provide safe, well-maintained walkways separate from vehicles.
- Teach children to cross streets at marked crossings and to always look left-right-left.
- Slow traffic in neighborhoods and near schools through traffic calming strategies and enforcement efforts.
- Work with parents of children with disabilities and special education professionals to identify accessibility barriers.
- Ensure that walkways are continuous and meet or exceed national accessibility standards.
- Install curb ramps at every intersection and at mid-block crossings.
- Provide accessible pedestrian signals at intersections.
Learn more at www.walkbiketoschool.org
The whole community benefits from efforts to enable and encourage more children to walk, bike or roll to school safely. Benefits include:
- Less traffic congestion
- Stronger sense of community
- Safer streets
- Improved accessibility
Siembra Latinos Celebration
We are so happy for our BZP School Sector Co-Chair, Dr. Ernesto Vela, Ed. D. who is the honoree of this year’s Inaugural Alfred Diaz-Infante award presented at the Siembra Latinos Celebration on September 28, 2023. Dr. Vela was recognized for his commitment and dedication to positively impacting our local community and educational system. Dr. Vela has worked hard to support, empowering a path to higher education for our local youth. Congratulations to Dr. Vela this award is well deserved!
BZP School Approval Celebrations
Jesse G. Sanchez Elementary School celebrated their school approval during the month of September. Jesse G. Sanchez created a school environment that teaches healthy lifestyle choices for students, staff, and families. Congratulations!
Bay View Academy Upper Campus celebrated their school approval. Bay View Academy has implemented many healthy initiatives including having a healthy snack cart, putting up signs to make classrooms and hallways water only spaces, putting up posters in the cafeteria to nudge students to make healthier choices, creating multiple opportunities for families to connect, and ensuring that students are active the majority of PE time. Congratulations! Their celebration was student-centered and allowed students to learn about Blue Zones Project while reflecting on what their school does to help them be healthy.
Walking Moai
El Gabilan Elementary School launched a Walking Moai with parents. This is a great way for parents to focus on their own health and well-being. Parents there is still time to join our group every Wednesday at 8:15am! See you there!
Boronda Meadows Elementary School launched a Walking Moai with parents. This is a great way for parents to focus on their own health and well-being. Parents there is still time to join our group every Monday at 8:30am! See you there!
MPUSD Food Initiatives
We have extended the free $5 Farmer’s Market Voucher for all MPUSD staff and families through the end of 2023. If you are an MPUSD staff or have an MPUSD student in your family, you can redeem this at the Everyone’s Harvest information booth at the Seaside Farmer’s Market (Laguna Grande Park every Thursday from 3-7pm) or the Marina Farmer’s Market (215 Reservation Road every Sunday from 10am-2pm).
MPUSD Nutrition Services, in collaboration with 7+ Organic Farmers and Blue Zones Project Monterey County, started offering Community Supported Agriculture boxes to their staff. These produce boxes are delivered to a nearby site to help with access.
Stevenson High School Day of Service
Stevenson High School had their Day of Service on September 18th. Blue Zones Projects coordinated five projects across Monterey, Marina, and Seaside for 150+ students to volunteer at. Students were out cleaning up local beaches, parks, and schools. One of the volunteer locations was a Blue Zones Approved School, Ione Olson Elementary School, and the students were able to pick up 5 trash bags worth of trash, fill gopher holes, and work on their school garden.
Your school can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ school site!
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September 2023
Back to School Healthy Tips
Kids thrive on routine. Establishing a strong morning routine can help make mornings easier and can aid in healthy habits. This might include waking up, getting dressed, brushing teeth, washing face, eating a healthy breakfast, packing snacks/lunch, checking to make sure all necessary materials are in their backpack, stretching, putting on shoes, and leaving for school.
Writing down this routine as a checklist and posting it at eye-level on the fridge can help your child take accountability and keep track of what they need to do next. Eventually, it will be one less thing that you have to worry about, will help you get out the door on time, and will teach your child how to start their day with healthy habits.
Checkout these kid friendly healthy breakfast and snack ideas: Healthy Breakfast and Snack Ideas
This month, we launched a free $5 Farmer’s Market Voucher for all MPUSD staff and families. This is redeemable August 24th, August 31st, and September 7th at the Seaside Farmer’s Market (Laguna Grande Park from 3-7pm). If you are an MPUSD family or employee, please locate the digital flyer on ParentSquare to redeem this voucher.
Kids Eat Right in collaboration with Blue Zones Project hosted a family friendly cooking demo called “Delicious Dips” at the Oldemeyer Center in Seaside. Kids got to blend up healthy dips using a spin-bike powered blender and got to enjoy the dips with veggies.
Blue Zones Project hosted two Purpose Workshops for Seaside High School’s AVID program. This workshop helped these students find clarity of purpose. They got to discover, or rediscover, gifts, talents, and values. At the end, students walked away encouraged and equipped with a purpose statement as well as tools for living a more purposeful life.
Walking School Bus
A Walking School Bus is an adult-supervised walking group creating a safe, fun, and active way for students to get to school. Blue Zones Project has partnered with Ecology Action for this initiative. This event will take place every Tuesday morning for 8 weeks.
Los Padres Elementary School launched their Walking School Bus Tuesday August 22, 2023 & Sherwood Elementary School launched their Walking School Bus Wednesday August 23, 2023!
Benefits of a Walking School Bus include:
- Increased physical activity
- Improved student academic performance
- Elevated social skills
- Shared sense of community
- Decreased traffic & air pollution
- Learning healthy movement habits for a lifetime
Walking Moai
University Park Elementary School launched a Walking Moai with parents. They walked to Compass Church in Salinas, a 3.2-mile walk! This is a great way for parents to focus on their own health and well-being.
Your school can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ school site!
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August 2023
Summer Tips for Kids
Summer is a great time for kids to get outside and enjoy the weather. Children need at least 60 minutes or more a day of physical activity. Outdoor activities such as walking, biking, and playing outdoor sports such as soccer, softball/baseball, jump rope or hopscotch help kids stay physically active during their summer break.
Summer fun can at times be filled with lots of savory and sweet treats such as sugar sweetened beverages, ice cream, chips, and delicious cookout meals! Opportunities for junk food are abundant during the summer, but by eating healthy while kids are out of school will ensure that children learn healthy, consistent habits such as drinking plenty of water, eating fruits and vegetables, which help them get the vitamins and nutrients they need to fuel their summer fun.
Checkout this kid friendly easy to make healthy recipe: Monkey Wrap
Dual Language Academy of the Monterey Peninsula - School Approval Celebration
Dual Language Academy of the Monterey Peninsula celebrated becoming a Blue Zones Project Approved School on July 29th. This was made extra special by their combined celebration of moving campuses. Dual Language Academy continues to prioritize student health and well-being through initiatives like scheduling recess before lunch to allow students plenty of time to eat, hanging posters to encourage students to drink more water, and finding creative ways to celebrate birthdays and fundraisers that do not involve food.
Your school can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ school site!
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June 2023
BZP School Approvals
Congratulations to Central Bay High School and NMC Center for Independent Studies on becoming Blue Zones Project Approved! They are the 7th school to become approved in the North Monterey County Unified School District. Below are a few best practices they implemented during the approval:
- Encourage students to drink only water during class time.
- Mindfulness Practices
- Host a family well-being event – Fall Festival.
Kudos to North Monterey County Unified School District in becoming the 2nd school district across Monterey County to have every single school site achieve BZP approval! Working with leadership and staff at NMCUSD it is clear they are committed to establishing a sustainable environment of well-being for students and families.
Congratulations to La Gloria Elementary and Gonzales High School on becoming Blue Zones Project Approved! They are the first two schools to become approved in the City of Gonzales. Below are a few best practices they implemented during the approval:
- Encourage students to drink only water during class time.
- La Gloria implemented a Walking School Bus program – thank you to the partnership with the Transportation Agency of Monterey County, Monterey County Health Department and Ecology Action.
- Participated in the Diabetes Education Modules
School Approval Celebration
Congratulations to Alisal Virtual Academy for becoming the 8th school in Alisal Union School District to become Blue Zones Project Approved! Students, staff, and families celebrated during their end of the year celebration which included getting to use our spin art bike! Seven lucky students won a “big ticket” item from their PBIS raffle. Special thanks to Transportation Agency for Monterey County and Monterey Bay F.C. for donating a bike and tickets to a soccer game. We were thrilled to be part of AVA’s special day.
Monterey Adult School Walking Moai Groups
Monterey Adult School had a few classes that went on walks every week for over three months! Blue Zones Project brought t-shirts and walked with the students to celebrate this amazing accomplishment. Many of the students reported feeling like they were more prepared for the day, and they appreciated the opportunity to explore different areas of their community.
Your school can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ school site!
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May 2023
North Monterey County USD Community Meal
NMCUSD hosted a community meal at North Monterey County High School on May 30th, community and families were invited to savor the Nutrition Service Team’s scratch cooking menu creations, innovations and celebrate their partnership with BRIGAID. The menu included a carnitas or veggie torta made with Bolillo Roll from Missing Hole Bakery, Arroz con Leche with strawberries from ALBA Organics, and produce from Coke Farms. Kudos to NMCUSD Nutrition Services team for your hard work and dedication to optimizing and creating healthier school lunches for students!
Greenfield USD Community Celebration
Greenfield USD celebrated their end of the school year with student performances, free resources from outside agencies, district booths, and fun activities. GUSD had a guest Author, Leticia Ordaz, who provided her amazing books and participated in activities with families. Thank you, Greenfield USD, for inviting BZP to table at this fun community event!
MLK FRC Walking Moai Celebration
The MLK Family Resource Center celebrated their 10-week Walking Moai at our BZP Salinas Office. The group visited 7 of our Approved Restaurants in Downtown Salinas and checked out their Blue Zones Inspired Menu. They even got to pick up Veggie Sandwiches from BZP Approved Restaurant, Gordon’s Café and Catering to have for lunch. It was a fantastic way to end the school year!
BZP School Approval Celebrations
Virginia Rocca Baton Elementary School celebrated their school approval this month during their Monday morning assembly. Special thanks to the Elevo team for incorporating Move Naturally exercises to get the students ready for the day.
New BZP School Approvals
Congratulations to Jesse Sanchez Elementary School on becoming Blue Zones Project Approved! They are the 10th school to become approved in the Alisal Union School District. Below are a few best practices they implemented during the approval:
- Encourage students to drink only water during class time.
- Implement a Walking School Bus program – thank you to the partnership with the Transportation Agency of Monterey County and Ecology Action.
- Host a family well-being event – thank you to the partnership with Brighter Bites.
Congratulations to Dual Language Academy of the Monterey Peninsula on becoming Blue Zones Project Approved! Principal Rita Burks went above and beyond to ensure that the school environment is healthy for students. For example, Dual Language Academy of the Monterey Peninsula had every student engage in a Diabetes Prevention Education created by Aspire Health. They also strategically have recess time before lunch so that kids have plenty of time to finish their food and connect with their peers. As they begin their move to their new campus next year, they are excited to continue prioritizing health and wellness.
Your school can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ school site!
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April 2023
Día del Niño Month
Día del Niño is a traditional family holiday celebrated in Mexico that honors children and promotes their well-being. It is a day all about celebrating the child and remembering what a blessing they are in our lives. In the month of April, many of our school sites throughout Monterey County celebrated Día del Niño by hosting a special event with fun activities, food and resources for students and their families. BZP had the pleasure of participating in three events at Castroville Elementary School, for North Monterey County Unified School District, Arroyo Seco Academy in Greenfield, and Seaside for the Dual Language Academy of the Monterey Peninsula.
Walking School Bus
Jesse G. Sanchez Elementary School launched their Walking School Bus in the month of April! A Walking School Bus is an adult-supervised walking group creating a safe, fun, and active way for students to get to school. Blue Zones Project has partnered with Ecology Action for this initiative, and it will take place every Wednesday morning for 6 weeks.
BZP School Approval Celebrations
Elkhorn Elementary School, North Monterey County Middle School & North Monterey County High School celebrated their school approval during the month of April. Each of these school sites are creating school environments that teach healthy lifestyle choices for students, staff, and families. Congratulations!
BZP School Approval
Congratulations to Virginia Rocca Barton Elementary School for becoming Blue Zones Project Approved! Virginia Rocca Barton is the 37th school in Monterey County and 9th school for Alisal Union School District to become school approved. They continue to optimize their school environment to better promote physical, social, and emotional health for students.
Your school can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ school site!
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March 2023
BZP School Approval
North Monterey County Middle School is the 6thth BZP approved school site in the North Monterey County Unified School District, bringing a total of 35 schools across Monterey County that are Blue Zones Project approved and committed to optimizing school environments and improving health & wellbeing for their students!
Castroville Elementary & Jack Franscioni Elementary School celebrated their school approval during the month of March. Each of these school sites are creating school environments that teach healthy lifestyle choices for students, staff and families. Congratulations!
Garden Capacity Building Workshop - South County: On March 15th, Arroyo Seco Academy in Greenfield hosted our 3rd Garden Workshop for the South County region. The garden workshop series are facilitated by Grow your Lunch founder and CEO, Benjamin R. Eichorn. Ben is a Monterey County Native and internationally renowned leader on the topics of organic farming and food literacy education.
This hands-on workshop will be taking place in Salinas on April 5th at Los Padres Elementary School from 3:30-5:30pm and in Seaside at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. School of the Arts on Tuesday April 11th from 3:30pm-5:30pm. To register for one of these upcoming workshops click on the designated Eventbrite link below:
Salinas: https://bit.ly/salinasgardenworkshop
More than a third of adults in our county have prediabetes, and 84% of them don’t know they have it. March 28 was Diabetes Alert Day, a day to help spread awareness, resources, and information throughout our community about how to prevent or manage type 2 diabetes.
In partnership with Aspire Health and their Don’t Feed the Diabetes (aka “The Beast”) awareness campaign, they have compiled resources for diabetes management, developed diabetes prevention programs for both adults and children, and curated educational healthy lifestyle articles. To learn more, visit www.DontFeedTheDiabetes.com.
February 2023
National Nutrition Month
March is National Nutrition Month, we want to remind families that, at every stage of life, it’s never too early or too late to eat healthy! The benefits of eating healthy add up over time, small lifestyle changes matter.
Our BZP school sector team would like to highlight all the amazing work Nutrition/Food Service Directors across Monterey County School Districts are doing to procure fresh, locally grown produce and working diligently to create scratch cooked meals for students, in support of optimizing school environments to promote health & wellness.
Sarah Doherty, Director of Nutrition and Wellness, has worked hard to increase scratch cooked meals for North Monterey County Unified School District, watch the video Here to learn more about the great work NMCUSD is doing to make the healthy choice the easy choice!
BZP School Approval
North Monterey County Middle School is the 6th BZP approved school in the North Monterey County Unified School District making it a total of 35 schools across Monterey County who are committed to optimizing school environments and improving health & wellbeing for their students!
Soledad High School celebrated their school approval during a faculty meeting on Valentine’s Day. They are the 1st High School to become BZP Approved in Monterey County! Soledad High School is creating an environment that promotes and encourages health & wellness for their students. Congratulations!
Walking Moais with Schools and Parents!
In February, Natividad Elementary School launched their parent walking group. They are the 7th school in Salinas to create a Walking Moai for parents. Congratulations to Creekside Elementary School and University Park Elementary School parents for finishing their 10-week Walking Moai. Surrounding yourself with likeminded people & making the effort to connect with others can add more years to your life. Way to go!
January 2023
School Garden
Virginia Rocca Barton Elementary School received a school garden grant from Home Depot Foundation at the end of last year to help build new garden beds for the school. In January, Home Depot staff from the Salinas store volunteered their time to help build 12 garden beds, 6 for upper and 6 for lower grades. Their 6th grade teacher, Mr. Maciel, has done a phenomenal job leading this effort. We can’t wait to see what the kids will grow.
BZP School Approval
Marina Vista Elementary Arts Academy is the 2nd approved school in the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District!
Castroville Elementary School is the 5th BZP approved school in the North Monterey County Unified School District making it a total of 33 schools across Monterey County who are committed to optimizing school environments and improving health & wellbeing for their students!
Boronda Meadows Elementary School started the new year celebrating their school approval during a staff meeting. They are the 8th school to become BZP Approved in the Salinas City Elementary School District. Boronda Meadows is creating an environment that teaches healthy lifestyle choices for students, staff and families. Congratulations!
King City Farm Day
South County 3rd grade students, teachers and parents enjoyed a day of educational, hands-on, fun experiences that focused on Agriculture. This is a unique opportunity for Ag to teach the role of the industry—every year seems to be more critical than the previous years to explain how we get our locally grown food and clothing. It was delightful to interact with the teachers, students and chaperones to share our BZP Power 9 Principles and promote health & wellbeing at this year's 31st annual Farm Day!
Your school can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ school site!
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December 2022
School Garden Workshop Marina and Salinas
In December, Blue Zones Project Monterey County and Grow Your Lunch led a garden workshop for teachers and administrators in Monterey County. The event was hosted by Alisal Virtual Academy and Marina Vista Elementary School. Participants learned winter gardening techniques and how to integrate the garden into core classroom curriculum. It was a great experience, and we can't wait to host more. Thank you to the Alisal Virtual Academy and Marina Vista Elementary Arts Academy for hosting us, everyone that was able to join us and Ben Eichorn, from Grow Your Lunch, for your expertise!
Diabetes Awareness with partner Aspire Health at Olson Elementary
Ione Olson Elementary in Marina, which is the first MPUSD school to be BZP approved, hosted Aspire Health across several different classrooms and grade levels. Students received education on diabetes prevention, awareness and the best ways to not feed the “beast”! Learn more about Aspire Health at https://dontfeedthediabetes.com/
BZP School Approval
Soledad High School, Boronda Meadows Elementary School, Jack Franscioni Elementary School, Elkhorn Elementary School, and North Monterey County High School are our most recent schools approved making it a total of 30 schools across Monterey County who are committed in helping students, staff and families make the healthy choice the easy choice!
Echo Valley Elementary School and Prunedale Elementary School also celebrated their Blue Zones Project School Approval in December. They are the first 2 schools to become approved for North Monterey County Unified School District. Congratulations, Dolphins and Pelicans!
Alisal Virtual Academy is a new “Alternative School of Choice,” in the Alisal Union School District and is now open to any student in grades Kindergarten through Sixth in Monterey County. The academy is based on the Experiential Learning approach, which has a more hands-on approach to learning, to make online learning as engaging as possible. Monthly in-person learning or community events for each grade. These could be hands-on science lessons, field trips, or activity days. To learn more, click on this link.
Your school can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ school site!
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November 2022
National Diabetes Awareness Month
November is National Diabetes Awareness Month, a time when communities across the country team up to bring attention to diabetes. This year Blue Zones Project partnered with Aspire Health and Brighter Bites to help promote diabetes awareness in schools throughout Monterey County. In the month of November, Blue Zones Project Monterey County hosted a Fun Food Experience at Ord Terrace Elementary School, Jesse G. Sanchez Elementary School, Arroyo Seco Academy, and Castroville Elementary School to give families the opportunity to learn how to cook healthy meals.
Roughly 45% of the adult population in Monterey County either have pre-diabetes or diabetes and do not know they have it. Don’t Feed the Diabetes provide free diabetes education resources for Monterey County teachers and classrooms. Aspire Health’s education modules, developed by health professionals, provide diabetes awareness and prevention education for children of all ages. We hope students can form healthy habits and lifestyles at an earlier age, to prevent chronic illnesses in the future, helping to make the healthy choice the easy choice. For more information on how your school can deliver the Diabetes Education Modules visit the link below: School Diabetes Awareness Education Modules - Don't Feed the Diabetes (dontfeedthediabetes.com)
John E. Steinbeck Elementary School and Virginia Rocca Barton Elementary School hosted a school assembly where students learned about Blue Zones Project and Don’t Feed the Diabetes. Over 800 students participated and got the chance to meet The Beast!
BZP School Approval
Dr. Oscar F. Loya Elementary School celebrated their Blue Zones Project School Approval on November 17th during their Family Night. They are the 14th school in Salinas and the 5th school in the Alisal Union School District who have reached Blue Zones Project approval. They join 24 schools that have achieved approval in Monterey County. Congratulations, Dr. Oscar F. Loya Elementary School!
Your school can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ school site!
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October 2022
School Garden Workshops:
School garden leaders across Monterey County attended our 1st in-person gardening and capacity-building workshop. The workshop series will consist of 3 different workshops located at school gardens throughout Monterey County. Workshop #1 took place on Wednesday October 19th at Jack Franscioni Elementary in Soledad and on Thursday October 20th at North Monterey County Middle School in Castroville. The series was facilitated by Grow your Lunch founder and CEO, Benjamin R. Eichorn. Ben is a Monterey County Native and internationally renowned leader on the topics of organic farming and food literacy education.
Walking School Bus:
In partnership with the Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC), Ecology Action and the Monterey County Health Department, Blue Zones Project Monterey County lent their support to launch two Walking School Buses at schools in Salinas. Kammann Elementary School and MLK Jr. Academy participated in the Walking School Bus for the month of October. Every Tuesday (Kammann) and Wednesday (MLK Academy) morning students had the opportunity to walk to school with their friends, teachers, staff, parents, police officers and superheroes. There was nothing more exciting like moving naturally with Spider-Man!
Walking Moais:
University Park Elementary School and Creekside Elementary School in Salinas launched a walking moai! University Park parents drop off their students in the morning and go on a walk around the neighborhood. This is a great way for parents to focus on their own health and well-being. Creekside walking moai consist of students, parents, and staff. They are meeting after school to encourage students to stay active. We can’t wait to see the progress after the 10-weeks.
Brighter Bites
Blue Zones Project continues to support the provision of healthy fruits and vegetables by participating alongside Brighter Bites. Last week we were at Ord Terrace Elementary School in Seaside! We can’t wait to be there again on November 2nd for a Fun Food Experience and cooking demonstration.
Your school can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ school site!
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September 2022
Garden Workshops
School garden leaders (principals, teachers, custodians, supervisors, counselors, etc): you are invited to attend a FREE in-person gardening and capacity-building workshop series! The series will consist of 3 different workshops located at school gardens throughout Monterey County. Participants are highly encouraged to attend all three workshops, if possible. The free series will be offered both in the Salinas Valley and Coastal Region (same workshops).
Workshop 1 will take place on Wednesday October 19th in Soledad and on Thursday October 20th in Castroville.
To register for the Castroville workshop please click HERE.
To register for the Soledad workshop please click HERE.
Walking Moai Launch
MLK Family Resource Center and Sherwood Elementary School re-launched their Walking Moai in September. It was exciting to see returning participants from last school year and we were also thrilled to see new faces. Both groups continue to promote moving naturally and connecting with other. Way to go!
Brighter Bites first MPUSD Distribution
Blue Zones Project was proud to facilitate the connection and participate at the first Brighter Bites food distributions within the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District. Ord Terrace Elementary School in Seaside is the first location within MPUSD to host a Brighter Bites food distribution – the families and students were thrilled! Thanks to the leadership of Ord Terrace Elementary School principal Joe Sampson and Brighter Bites for making this distribution happen.
Your school can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ school site!
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August 2022
Back to School Nights:
Summer has come to an end for most students in Monterey County. Schools are back in session and hosting back to school nights for students and their families. Our Blue Zones Project team attended a few to share the work we do in schools with parents and promote our upcoming events.
First Week of School:
Blue Zones Project tabled at various schools during the 1st week of school at Alisal Union School District. We were happy to share our upcoming community events and resources to families. Thank you to MLK Jr. Academy, Virginia Rocca Barton, and Jesse Sanchez for letting us be part of your special week. Wishing all students, a wonderful new school year!
Thank you!
On behalf of our school sector team, we would like to thank our collaborative partners Aspire Health, Brighter Bites, Catholic Charities, Ecology Action, and TAMC for supporting our BZP Kickoff events in the month of August!
Your school can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ school site!
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July 2022
Blue Zones Project Approved Schools
Congratulations to Mary Chapa Academy & Oak Avenue Elementary for becoming the 4th & 5th BZP approved school site in the Greenfield Union School district! Both schools have done an exceptional job working to positively impact the health and well-being of students and their families
Our school sector team would like to acknowledge the magnificent work Greenfield USD has accomplished to become the first school district in Monterey County to have every school site reach BZP approval! Congratulations GUSD, your dedication, commitment and collaboration is truly amazing!
--- 5 schools; elementary to middle - Green Union School District
Brighter Bites Food Distribution
Blue Zones Project is excited to support Brighter Bites food distribution as they begin their expanded support of new locations in Monterey County. Brighter Bites has served the members of the Boys and Girls Club in Salinas and Seaside, La Gloria Elementary in Gonzales and the Salinas Community YMCA. We are thrilled to be supporting their efforts and mission as they continue their work throughout Monterey County.
Learn more about Brighter Bites: https://brighterbites.org/
North Monterey County Unified School District Adopts BZP Resolution
We are grateful to the Board of Education at North Monterey County Unified School District for approving and adopting a Blue Zones Project Resolution! This adoption will greatly support the implementation of our work in schools throughout North Monterey County.
Los Padres & Monterey Park Elementary School
In June 2019, Los Padres Elementary School and Monterey Park Elementary School became the 1st two schools to become Blue Zones Project Approved in Monterey County! Congratulations to both schools for leading the way to a healthier community. We currently have 16 schools approved in our Salinas project community. Happy 2 Year Anniversary!
Your school can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ school site!
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June 2022
Safe Routes to School – Walking School Bus relaunch at Marina Vista Elementary Arts Academy
Blue Zones Project, alongside collaborative partners TAMC and the Monterey County Health Department, helped to relaunch the weekly Walking School Bus for Marina Vista Elementary Arts Academy located in Marina, CA. After receiving great feedback from Principal Cristy Campanaro, the meet-up location was changed to be more convenient for students and parents.
Blue Zones Project Approved Schools
Congratulations to Ione Olson Elementary for becoming our first school in the Monterey Peninsula Unified School district to achieve approval and congratulations to Bay View Academy’s Lower Campus for becoming our first charter school in Monterey to achieve approval!
Congratulations to Echo Valley Elementary School for becoming the first school in North Monterey County Unified School district to achieve BZP approval! Dr. Oscar Loya Elementary School and Monte Bella Elementary School for becoming the 5th & 6th schools for Alisal Union School District! All schools have done an exceptional job working on wellness to positively impact the health and well-being for students and families.
Congratulations to Vista Verde Middle School for becoming the 3rd BZP approved school site in the Greenfield Union School district! Greenfield USD is one school away from becoming the first school district in Monterey County to have every school site in their district BZP approved. Setting the bar high for optimizing school environments to better promote physical, social, and emotional health! Way to go GUSD!
Family Fun Festival at Ord Terrace Elementary in Seaside!
Blue Zones Project came out to support Natural Movement and active lifestyle choices along with so many of our community partners – Ecology Action, TAMC, the Monterey County Health Department CalFresh staff, the Community Partnership for Youth and more!
Your school can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ school site!
Congratulations to Echo Valley Elementary School for becoming the first school in North Monterey County Unified School district to achieve BZP approval! Dr. Oscar Loya Elementary School and Monte Bella Elementary School for becoming the 5th & 6th schools for Alisal Union School District! As well as Vista Verde Middle School for becoming the 3rd BZP approved school site in the Greenfield Union School district! Greenfield USD is one school away from becoming the first school district in Monterey County to have every school site in their district BZP approved!
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May 2022
Ione Olson Elementary Gardening Day in Marina
Blue Zones Project and Ione Olson Elementary put on a gardening workday together – it was a great day of clearing weeds from flower beds and assembling a raised bed screen to keep out pesky ground squirrels! Thanks to MPUSD Superintendent Dr. Diffenbaugh and City of Marina Mayor Bruce Delgado for coming out to support us!
Safe Routes to School – Walking School Bus in Monterey Peninsula Unified School District
In partnership with the Transportation Agency for Monterey County, the Monterey County Health Department and Ecology Action, we kicked off Walking School Bus programs in MPUSD schools Ord Terrace, Del Rey Woods, Marina Vista, and Crumpton elementary in addition to Bay View Academy!
Blue Zones Project Approved Schools
Congratulations to Dr. MLK Jr. Academy in becoming our 13th school approved in Salinas and 4th for Alisal Union School District! They identified and implemented new policies and programs to support student well-being. In March, during Diabetes Alert Day, teachers provided diabetes education to students from 1st-6th grade. Students and their families were then able to participate in a diabetes competition where they submitted a drawing or digital poster with a unique message about ways to prevent diabetes. Dr. MLK Jr. Academy continues to create an environment for students that instills healthy lifestyles choices today and for years to come!
District Support
We are grateful to the Board of Education at both the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District and the Alisal Unified School District for unanimously voting to approve a Blue Zones Resolution! This adoption by both districts will greatly support our work in implementing Blue Zones Project in schools throughout Salinas and the Peninsula Cities.
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April 2022
National Nutrition Month 2022
March was National Nutrition Month! National Nutrition Month® is an annual campaign created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. During the month of March, everyone was invited to learn about making informed food choices and developing healthful eating and physical activity habits.
Frank Paul Elementary School teachers provided nutrition education to their students during the month of March. They are doing a fantastic job helping students form healthy habits for life! Check out the photos from Mrs. Trujillo’s 1st Grade bilingual class.
Ione Olson Elementary Gardening Day in Marina
Please join us on Sunday April 10th from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM at Ione Olson Elementary School for a Gardening Workday! We will come together to aid the school in beautifying their garden and other elements to support the campus and their students. If you’d like to register for the event or learn more, please follow the link: https://bit.ly/IoneOlsonGarden
All ages are welcome at the event, we look forward to seeing you there!
Safe Routes to School – Walking School Bus in Monterey Peninsula Unified School District
In collaboration with the Monterey County Health Department, the Transportation Agency for Monterey County and Ecology Action, the Blue Zones Project is excited to participate in the April launch of Walking School Buses throughout Monterey, Seaside and Marina! We look forward to making an impact at these schools and introducing some safe Natural Movement into the students and families of several schools.
Blue Zones Project Approved Schools
Congratulations to Sacred Heart School in becoming our 12th school approved in Salinas! As our first private school approved, they are committed in improving their school environment to better promote physical, social, and emotional health.
Congratulations to Cesar Chavez Elementary School, and Vista Verde Middle School to achieve Blue Zones Project approval in the City of Greenfield! Their leadership and support staff were instrumental in completing the BZP school pledge. It is evident that both schools are committed to optimizing their school environment to better promote overall wellness, physical, social, and emotional health. Both schools are helping their students make the healthy choice the easy choice!
Your school can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ school site!
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March 2022
Congratulations to John E. Steinbeck Elementary School in becoming our 11th school approved in Salinas! They are committed to optimizing their school environment to better promote overall wellness, physical, social, and emotional health. Special thanks to Mr. Martinez, Ms. Griffith, Ms. Henson, Ms. Sawyer, Mr. Rains and Ms. Velasquez-Silva who played an instrumental part in completing the BZP school pledge. We are excited to continue working with John E. Steinbeck Elementary School!
Diabetes Alert Day – March 22, 2022
More than a third of adults in our country have prediabetes, and 84 percent of them don’t know they have it. That is why American Diabetes Association Diabetes Alert Day is such an important date to help spread awareness, resources, and information throughout our community about how to prevent or manage type 2 diabetes (a.k.a. The Beast).
Don’t Feed the Diabetes (DFTD) has compiled resources for diabetes management, developed diabetes prevention programs for both adults and children, and curated educational healthy lifestyle articles. Through proper education and resources, DFTD is inspiring every individual to live their best life by empowering our community to take hold of their own health journey.
We are encouraging our community to discover their personal risk by visiting www.DontFeedTheDiabetes.com. The sooner they know their risk, the sooner they can take action to prevent type 2 diabetes.
With proper care and support, our community can help tame The Beast!
Your school can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ school site!
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February 2022
Sherwood Elementary School started the year strong by hosting a clean-up and beautification event for their school. Staff, teachers, parents and over 120 students participated! Thank you to Taylor Farms, Return of the Natives and Tope’s Tree Service for donating healthy snacks and garden items. Special thanks to Mr. Marquez, Ms. Nichols, and Ms. Williams for organizing this event. We hope to continue engaging with our approved schools to help lead longer and healthier lives. Way to go, Sharks!
Frank Paul Elementary School hosted their school celerbation virtually in January. They were able to share with staff, students and parents the tremendous work the school did in becoming Blue Zones Project approved. Frank Paul continues to maintain a beautiful school garden. They will incorporate an indoor garden activity in the classroom for students to grow their own pumpkin, cucumber, or marigolds. Congratulations once again for leading the way in making our community a happier and healthier place to live, work and play!
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January 2022
In December, Main Street Middle School became the first school in South Monterey County to become Blue Zones Project approved. Main Street Middle School is committed to promoting a healthy diet and lifestyle for all students. In doing so, Main Street Middle School offers a global menu to students which includes healthy and nutritious scratch-cooked meals every day of the week. Main Street Middle School also implemented a policy to encourage students to drink more water and less sugar sweetened beverages, by adopting a Classroom & Hallway Rule that encourages students to make healthy food and beverage choices.
Also in December, Frank Paul Elementary School became the 10th school in Salinas to become Blue Zones Project approved. Frank Paul Elementary School implemented various evidence-based strategies to better promote physical, social, and emotional health for their students. They implemented a new rule where students are not permitted to eat or drink anything but water in classrooms and hallways during class time. This will encourage students to drink more water and stay away from foods and beverages high in calories and low in nutrients, or “junk food.”
Congratulations to both schools in helping students, parents and staff form healthy habits for life!
Blue Zones Project Monterey County is excited to work with TAMC to implement the Safe Routes to Schools Program in MPUSD starting in the spring!
Your school can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ school site!
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December 2021
Last month, Blue Zones Project Monterey County presented to high school students from the Salinas Valley Dream Academy various opportunities how students can get involved with BZP through Purpose Workshops and community clean-ups. The mission of the Dream Academy is to inspire, engage, and empower high school students to strive for higher education while becoming active participants and servant leaders in their community. More than 60 students committed to a healthier community by signing the Blue Zones Personal Pledge. We look forward to working with students from the Salinas Valley Dream Academy to make a positive impact in our community! A special thank you to Dr. Vela for giving us the opportunity to engage with local students, and for his continued support and enthusiasm for our project to create healthier communities throughout Monterey County!
Your school can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ school site!
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November 2021
November is National Diabetes Month, a time when communities across the country team up to bring attention to diabetes. In an effort to support this awareness within schools in Monterey County, Blue Zones Project has partnered with Community Health Innovations, who offer free diabetes education resources to teachers and classrooms. The Don’t Feed the Diabetes education modules, created by health professionals, provide children of all ages diabetes awareness and prevention education. Schools all over the county are participating and sharing these lessons with hundreds of students, including Ione Olson Elementary and Bay View Academy on the Peninsula. Greenfield’s Oak Avenue Elementary is also using the modules, as well as Cesar Chavez Elementary in Salinas. Understanding one’s health and wellbeing is part of making the healthy choice the easy choice, and Blue Zones Project is proud to support schools as they bring awareness to students all month long!
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October 2021
Join us for our Blue Zones Project School Summits to learn more about the work we do with schools in0 Monterey County! All summits will be held from 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm. Pick a date & location that works best for you:
Wed., Oct. 13 - Salinas
Tues., Oct. 19 - Virtual
Wed., Oct. 20 - S. County
Tues., Oct. 26 – Monterey
Register here: https://info.bluezonesproject.com/schoolsummit
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September 2021
Greenfield Unified School District adopted a resolution supporting Blue Zones Project implementation at school sites. We look forward to working with Greenfield USD to create healthier school environments in the near future.
Congratulations to Loma Vista Elementary School, Kammann Elementary School and Bardin Elementary School for having their Blue Zones Project approval celebration this month!
Your school can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ school site!
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August 2021
Our BZP school sector team is committed to promoting and encouraging the enhancement of school gardens and outdoor learning environments in schools throughout Monterey County. School gardens and outdoor learning environments can help carve the path for students to make the healthy choice the easy choice through programs that include diabetes awareness, healthy lifestyle principles, encouraging students to drink more water and be physically active. If you are interested in learning more, attend one of our School Summits in October! Stay tuned for dates and locations.
Your school can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ school site!
July 2021
Blue Zones Project is growing and developing valuable community partnerships with school sites all over Monterey County! The Peninsula Cities school sector recently teamed up with Monterey Peninsula Unified School District (MPUSD) to support their attendance awareness initiative. Ione Olson Elementary School and Marina Vista Elementary Arts Academy have both recently registered with Blue Zones Project and are excited to support student wellbeing while working towards becoming an approved school site! Our collaborative efforts aim to nurture a safe and supportive environment where students are engaged and have a better ability to thrive in the classroom. Also, Blue Zones Project conducted outreach and engagement with the community during a Backpack Giveaway event with MPUSD, Pueblo Del Mar and City of Marina. Many MPUSD students received new backpacks for school and now have the tools they need to start the school year ready to learn!
Your school can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ school site!
For more information, please contact Alexis Diaz-Infante, Org. Lead, Schools (Salinas): alexis.diazinfante@sharecare.com Griselda Reyes, Org. Lead, Schools (County): griselda.reyes@sharecare.com, Karissa Lopez, Org. Lead, Schools (Peninsula): karissa.lopez@sharecare.com
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July 2021
Congratulations to Kammann Elementary School and Bardin Elementary School for achieving Blue Zones Project approval in June! Staff, teachers, and students at both schools implemented new policies and programs to encourage healthy behaviors. They engaged with students during school closure by hosting virtual spirit days, parades, and rallies, and worked hard in creating a garden space for students. Kirk Gularte, Kammann Elementary School 5th grade teacher, states “The ability for kids to use this garden as a ‘Learn By Doing’ activity will greatly enhance their learning of plant and earth sciences, but also serve as an outdoor learning space for other academics.” Bardin Elementary School is the first school in Alisal School District to become Blue Zones Project approved, setting the example to encourage other schools to pursue Blue Zones Project Approved status.
They are committed in making our community happier and healthier!
Your school can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ school site!
Safe Routes to School - Join the Summer Walk Challenge!
The global pandemic has reminded us all how important it is to be healthy. Walking is one of the best ways to get and stay healthy, which is why we are challenging the residents of Gonzales, Soledad and Greenfield to try-out the new Walking School Bus and Park & Walk routes in their community this summer.
The Transportation Agency, Health Department and community volunteers recently stenciled sidewalks in each of the South County cities to prepare students for safe walking routes to schools in the fall. The summer challenge is the opportunity for residents in each city to learn the routes and practice walking to school. Participants can make this a fun event by walking at various times with friends, family and pets with an opportunity to win a new bike or scooter in random drawings at the conclusion of the challenge. The more times you walk the route the better your chances of winning.
Blue Zones Project is supporting the Summer Walk Challenge by encouraging families to move naturally. Join the Summer Walk Challenge now through July 31, 2021, and get a chance to win a helmet, bike bell or water bottle!
Follow these 3 easy steps:
- Walk any of the routes painted on the sidewalk in your community this summer;
- Snap a picture; and
- Post on Instagram at #saferoutesmonterey or share to “Safe Routes to School – Monterey County” on Facebook
For more information and walk routes: click here
For more information, please contact Alexis Diaz-Infante, Org. Lead, Schools (Salinas): alexis.diazinfante@sharecare.com Griselda Reyes, Org. Lead, Schools (County): griselda.reyes@sharecare.com, Karissa Lopez, Org. Lead, Schools (Peninsula): karissa.lopez@sharecare.com
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June 2021
Congratulations to Natividad Elementary School, Oasis Charter School, and Sherwood Elementary School, all three school sites commemorated their Blue Zones Project approval in the month of May! These three schools have exemplary leadership, teachers and support staff who played an instrumental part in completing the BZP school pledge. It is evident they are all committed to optimizing their school environments to better promote overall wellness, physical, social, and emotional health. Staff, teachers, and students worked hard to create beautiful, garden spaces for students at all three school sites. Natividad, Oasis and Sherwood schools implemented new policies and programs to encourage healthy behaviors and optimize school environments now and for years to come. Kudos to all three school sites in their commitment to helping students, staff and families make the healthy choice the easy choice!
Your school can be the next Blue Zones Project Approved™ school site!
For more information, please contact Alexis Diaz-Infante, Org. Lead, Schools (Salinas): alexis.diazinfante@sharecare.com Griselda Reyes, Org. Lead, Schools (County): griselda.reyes@sharecare.com, Karissa Lopez, Org. Lead, Schools (Peninsula): karissa.lopez@sharecare.com
May 2021
The Transportation Agency for Monterey County recently created “Play to Learn Kits” in an effort to provide traffic safety education to all Monterey County youth. In collaboration with Blue Zones Project, 400 kits were produced for families at Los Padres Elementary School, the first Blue Zones Approved school in Monterey County! The distribution occurred throughout the week of April 26th and saw an incredible turnout of excited students ready to learn more about traffic safety in their community. Teaching students how to safely bike or walk in their neighborhood aids in fostering an environment that promotes physical, social and overall well-being.
Topics: walking school bus Built Environment Schools Monterey County Featured
1 min read
Schools
Tobacco Summit
On March 16, Blue Zones Project Monterey County convened a virtual Tobacco Policy Summit, which included 17 community leaders and key stakeholders from across our region. Under the guidance of national tobacco policy experts, Andrea Mowery and Toben Nelson, participants walked through the findings of a Tobacco Policy ‘Discovery’ report, which included input from key stakeholders representing county and city leadership, chronic disease experts, education leaders, and youth advocates. The report findings provided excellent context for participants to work in small groups to determine policy recommendations to guide tobacco policy work specific to the Peninsula Cities (Marina, Seaside and Monterey) and the greater Monterey County expansion efforts. Clear policy priorities emerged from the group, which will be vetted and included in a final report, completed by end of April. Participants left the Summit feeling energized about the collaborative opportunities to advance tobacco control policies and support better health for all residents of Monterey County.
Topics: Well-being clean air
1 min read
Salinas Community Garden and Learning Lab Improvement and Expansion
Salinas Community Garden and Learning Lab Improvement and Expansion
The Blue Zones Project has been assisting the community garden in Natividad Creek Park for the last year and we are delighted to support its expansion and the fundraising efforts to create new initiatives.
