Blue Zones Project partnered with Monterey County employers to create healthier work environments. Seventy employers took steps to become Blue Zones Project Approved™ worksites, empowering their employees to be happier, healthier, and more productive. The benefits to employers are many, including increased productivity and potential savings in healthcare costs.

Schools have long been one of the most important factors in helping kids make good choices about eating well and staying healthy. Sixty-four Monterey County school leaders implemented programs and policies that make it easier to teach students how they can lead longer, happier lives.

We work with grocery stores to help them make simple changes to nudge their customers into making healthier choices—like more healthy food options and a more health-conscious store layout. Fourteen Monterey County grocery stores took steps to become Blue Zones Project Approved.

Restaurants play an enormous role in a community’s overall diet. Blue Zones Project Monterey County helped 62 local eateries optimize their dining experiences (e.g., highlighting nutritious menu items and removing salt from tables) to encourage patrons to make healthier choices.

Nearly every type of organization can utilize Blue Zones principles to cultivate healthier and happier customers and members. And more vibrant, engaged patrons lead to a healthy business bottom line. It’s a win-win for everyone!

Between 2018 and 2025, 39 organizations across Monterey County earned designation as Blue Zones Project Participating Organizations.