Salinas, CA — January 12, 2022 —Brought to Monterey County through an innovative sponsorship by Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System (SVMHS), Taylor Farms and Montage Health in collaboration with Sharecare, Inc., and Blue Zones, LLC today announced the launch of Blue Zones Project® in Gonzales and King City as part of the South County Expansion.
Blue Zones Project is a community-led well-being improvement initiative designed to make healthy choices easier through permanent changes to built environment, policy, and social networks, enabling residents to live longer, happier lives with lower rates of chronic disease. The path to greater well-being in Monterey County began in August of 2018, when an initial assessment conducted by Blue Zones Project in Salinas determined the community was well positioned to embrace well-being improvement, with a strong community foundation and a willingness to implement programs and activities required to become a Blue Zones Project community. The work that initially began in Salinas has expanded to the Monterey Peninsula and now to areas of South County.
Through the collaboration and partnership with local government, civic groups, worksite, schools, restaurants and grocery stores, Blue Zones Project Monterey County has been able to foster the well-being of over 14,500 individuals throughout the county via Blue ZonesÒ Activities – Walking MoaisÒ, Purpose Workshops, Purpose Moais, Potluck Moais and through volunteer activities.
According to Sharecare's Community Well-Being Index (CWBI) conducted in 2021, chronic disease risk factors such as stress, obesity/overweight and low fruit and vegetable consumption are prevalent in over two thirds of South County residents. To help improve health and well-being, Blue Zones Project Monterey County is excited to deepen the work that has already begun in South County by working with local leaders, organizations and residents in King City and Gonzales to create a transformational blueprint for well-being aimed at optimizing the Life Radius, or the area close to home where we spend 90% of our lives, with an emphasis on people, places, and policy.
The commitment from the King City government, business and other organizations has been shown through the early adaptation of a Blue Zones Project Resolution, having their first approved worksite and several schools registered to become Blue Zones Project approved schools.
“The City of King proudly supports the Blue Zones Project Monterey County, expresses its commitment to implementation of the program in King City, and urges all businesses, organizations and residents to participate in order to help everyone in the community to live a longer, healthier and happier life” said King City Mayor, Mike LeBarre.
“Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System is honored to sponsor this transformative healthcare initiative,” said Pete Delgado, President/CEO of SVMHS. “We have seen the impact of this program in other areas of implementation, and we fully expect the people of South County to benefit as well, enjoying greater shifts toward optimal health.”
“Taylor Farms is delighted to partner with Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System and Montage Health as we expand Blue Zones Project to South Monterey County,” said Bruce Taylor, Chairman and CEO of Taylor Farms. “We are committed to helping create a healthy community for all.”
“The Blue Zones Project clearly aligns with Montage Health’s mission and our commitment to the community,” said Dr. Packer, President/CEO of Montage Health. “We are thrilled to partner in this effort with Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System and Taylor Farms. We look forward to the expansion into South Monterey County.”
For more information or to learn more about how you can get involved in Blue Zones Project, contact the Monterey County team at 831-241-0561 or visit info.bluezonesproject.com/montereycounty.
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