Leading the way in healthier changes for our community since June 2019, Blue Zones Project Monterey County has significantly increased its outreach with programs now active throughout Monterey County. The comprehensive initiative transforms environments where people live, work, learn and play to measurably improve community well-being. Because healthier environments naturally nudge people toward healthier choices, Blue Zones Project Monterey County focuses on influencing the Life Radius, the 10-mile area close to home where people spend the majority of their time.

The Beginning: Strategies for Strengthening Community Health and Well-Being

Blue Zones Project Monterey County began with the Salinas-focused project in 2019. In 2021, it launched in Peninsula Cities and County project areas because of early success in Salinas. Final expansion to South Monterey County began in summer 2022. The staggered approach to transformation allowed each subsequent community to build on success and learnings from earlier launches.

Early adopters of Blue Zones Project in South Monterey County established a foundation of trust with residents, facilitating the local team’s effective engagement with the community. Partnering with large employers in the region forged direct connections with the workforce. Alignment with schools fostered participation among students, staff and families. Greenfield Union School District worked to have all of its schools achieve Blue Zones Project approval, and then, its district office earned worksite approval. In support of creating a Life Radius, which makes the healthy choice the easy choice, the local team identified restaurants the school district utilized for catering or frequented by staff, and encouraged them to join Blue Zones.

Building on Success

When our entire community participates, from our worksites and schools and restaurants and grocery stores, these small changes create huge benefits for all of us.”

Mike LeBarre
Mayor of King City

The multilayered approach creates a consistent message and builds an environment where good lifestyle options abound. Strengthening these types of partnerships is an essential step in increasing access to healthy options for residents throughout Monterey County. As just one way of furthering this goal, in fall 2023, Aspire Health Plan and Blue Zones Project Monterey County launched the Double Up Food Bucks program through which CalFresh shoppers can receive a 50% discount on California-grown produce. Blue Zones Project Monterey County stands out among well-being initiatives for its careful strategy, evidence-based practices and measurable outcomes. Combining its influence at worksites, schools, restaurants and grocery stores with targeted policy advocacy creates true sustainability. This involves a clear understanding of desired change, identifiable measurement areas and specified goals related to outcomes.

On Track to Exceed Measurable Goals

With enthusiastic support of communities throughout Monterey County, Blue Zones Project Monterey County is on track to meet and exceed all measurable goals in all project areas. The Salinas portion of Blue Zones Project Monterey County becomes the first project eligible for certification in 2024. The three remaining project areas will qualify for certification review in late 2025. When certification is achieved, a community has reached the tipping point of sustainability. Certified communities will then move toward developing specific focus areas to support an ongoing environment of well-being. As the initiative grows in its impact, it continues to make this beautiful and richly diverse region we are fortunate to call home a healthier and happier place.

Live Longer, Better Rewards Program

Explore lessons learned from the world’s longest-living cultures while earning rewards. Fun challenges and activities will show the way to a healthier and happier you!

• Set Goals
• Join Challenges
• Win Prizes

Visit MontereyCounty.BlueZonesProject.com to get started!

Blue Zones Project Monterey County builds on the success of work begun in 2004 when Dan Buettner teamed with National Geographic, the National Institute on Aging and the world’s best longevity researchers to identify pockets around the world, dubbed “blue zones,” where people lived measurably better and longer. Teams of scientists discovered that residents in these vastly different parts of the world shared specific traits leading to healthier, happier lives. Dan Buettner published his findings in his 2009 book, “The Blue Zones: 9 Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who’ve Lived the Longest,” and has since focused his work on sharing the results with communities that want to improve their overall health and well-being.