Worksites
On January 25, 2016, Moorings Park earned Blue Zones Project Approval™ as a Worksite. They did a fantastic job, scoring 77 points (5 more than needed.) They had three different moais – walking, potluck, and painting. Tessa Magaddino, Wellness Coach, and Larisa Zadorecky, VP of Human Resources, recently spoke at the HR Collier meeting. They were very excited and eager to share their story, and to talk about how their involvement in the Blue Zones Project added value and increased the return on their most precious investment, their employees. They obtained Personal Pledges from 254 of their employees, 32% of their workforce, and they’re happy to collect more! There will be a Ribbon-cutting ceremony on February 26 at 2:30 p.m.
Restaurants
Riverwalk at Tin City earned Blue Zones Project Approval™ as a Restaurant.
The owner, Vin DePasquale has been in support of this project from the very beginning, and his GM Sara Badder brought got her staff excited and onboard. Great energy, lots of buy-in and creativity, and their Executive Chef Corey Heath added four mouth-watering plant-based entrees to the adult menu, and one to the kid’s menu. The scored 49 points, 5 more than were needed, and 26% of their staff completed a Personal Pledge. Ribbon-cutting February 17th at 1:00 p.m.
On February 4, 2016, The Dock at Crayton Cove earned Blue Zones Project Approval™ as a Restaurant. This is the sister restaurant of Riverwalk, also owned by Vin De Pasquale. GM Jacci Jones and her team knocked it out of the water, scoring 53 points, 9 more than were required. They also added four mouth-watering plant-based entrees to the adult menu, and one to the kid’s menu. The Dock serves condiments on the side and uses 10” plates, both of which added to more to their score. Both Riverwalk and The Dock even added the Blue Zones Project website, Facebook, and Twitter to the bottom of the guest checks, and they encourage patrons to learn more. Jacci had 34% of her team complete the Personal Pledge.
Faith-Based Organizations
We are excited to see so much participation from faith-based organizations. Unity of Naples is the first Blue Zones Project Approved Faith-Based Organization, and other organizations such as St. John’s the Evangelistic Catholic Church, Celebration Community Beach Church are leading the way as well. 6 faith-based organizations have registered to become Blue Zones Project Approved and 7 have expressed interest.
Food Policy
The Food Policy Council, now named the Healthy Food Resource Committee, has contacted almost 50 percent of our local produce vendors (conventional and organic produce) to determine interest in utilizing SNAP/EBT at Farmer's Markets.
Built Environment Policy & Tobacco
The City of Naples is moving forward with their marquee project along Central Avenue. The City of Naples had its first ribbon cutting for the Naples Square project, which incorporates Complete Streets concepts while promoting physical health.
The Tobacco Free Collier Partnership is researching ENDS (Electronic Nicotine Device Systems) and determining how many Southwest Florida residents currently use this product.
Schools
Momentum continues as nine Preschools/Daycares, as well as a Homeschool and Montessori school, have all asked for information on how they can be involved in the Project.
As the Directors looked through the Checklist or Pledge Booklet, they were filled with excitement as they thought of ideas they could incorporate to make the healthy choice easier for students, staff and parents. Stay tuned to see which of these Early Learning Centers will be first to become Blue Zones Project Approved.
Meanwhile, a Private school has crafted a unique approach on how they will incorporate the School Pledge. They left the decision up to students in a high school sustainability class (made up of juniors and seniors) who took the Vitality Compass, read Dan Buettner's book over their December break, and met with the Blue Zones Schools Coordinator to discuss ways Blue Zones principles could be used with young people. One of the students is so interested in the project that she decided to intern with the Blue Zones Project team, and is working on projects with the Schools Coordinator.
An informational booth was set up at a weekend event to educate the community about Blue Zones Project, and the class is currently meeting to discuss next steps for the rollout. These may include inviting the Schools Coordinator to give the Engagement Speech for parents, as well as for students and teachers. It will be interesting to see how students will take the lead to educate their peers and parents on how to make the healthy choice the easy choice.
Individuals & Organizations
Congratulations to the following organizations to become Blue Zones Project Participating Organization:
Windstar on Naples Bay become the first country club in Southwest Florida to be named a Blue Zones Project Participating Organization. To earn this designation, Windstar on Naples Bay shared Blue Zones Project recipes, events, and healthy tips on its website and in member emails. The association hosted a Blue Zones Project “Lunch and Learn” where its chef showed members how to prepare plant-based dishes, as well as a Wine @ Five social hour, where more than 100 members learned how they could live more healthful and fulfilling lives. Windstar also has implemented Walking Moais, groups of five to eight individuals who come together to talk and walk while trading healthy recipes and tips for well-being. Windstar’s regular lunch menu also has a Blue Zones Project section that calls out healthy food items, and patrons may modify other menu items to fit Blue Zones Project recommendations.
Children’s Dentistry of Naples become the first organization in Southwest Florida to be named a Blue Zones Project Participating Organization. To earn this designation, Children's Dentistry of Naples established a Blue Zones Solutions Book Discussion among their employees, will promote the Power 9 in their office and through their social media networks, and will continue discouraging consumption of soda and other sugar-sweetened beverages with their patients.
If you've already taken the Blue Zones Personal Pledge, you are well on your way to better well-being. Wouldn’t it be great to get more of your friends and family to join you? Share this post with others and invite them to visit southwestflorida.bluezonesproject.com to learn more about the Project, attend a Blue Zones Project event, and take the well-being pledge. Our goal is to obtain 2,000 more pledges this month. You can help us get there and make SW Florida a healthier, happier and more connected community in the process!
Find a complete list of Approved organizations here!
