Blue Zones Project collaborates with policymakers, community members, and advocacy groups to create and implement policies that enhance infrastructure, reduce tobacco use, and increase access to healthy food across communities.
During the Blue Zones Project implementation in Monterey County, significant progress was made in adopting policies that set the community on a path to becoming a vibrant, livable place for residents and visitors. Local leaders, county staff, and community partners strongly supported the Blue Zones Project, recognizing its success in bringing diverse stakeholders together, forming new partnerships, and achieving numerous policy milestones since 2018.
TOBACCO POLICY
“Not everyone realizes that they can be heard— that their voice is valued and that they can even attend these meetings (council) and talk. Giving them (youth) a voice and empowering them is going to be a lifelong skill. The more we can work together to strengthen different policies, the less likely we have youth turning to tobacco and vaping.”
Reyna Alcala,
Director of Prevention Services, Sun Street Centers
Food Policy
“If people have more money for food, they can eat healthy and shop with dignity. Barriers that have historically existed with ebt are no longer there with an integrated program. It is often a challenge to leverage community trust to enhance program acceptance and participation, but thanks to blue zones project’s relationships with grocery stores, this was not an issue.”
Grecia Marquez-Nieblas
Senior Manager, Fullwell (formerly SPUR)
Built Environment
Policy
“We are trying to create this environment for a clean, safe, vibrant, lively, busy streetscape where people want to be. Blue zones project has been a big supporter of the association, providing tables and chairs and hopscotch to help create a vibrant downtown.”
Greg Hamer
District Coordinator, Salinas City Center
Maintaining the Momentum
Learn more about new opportunities to enhance community policies that support well-being through the Live Well Project–Salinas Valley Health’s newest well-being initiative, and Montage Health’s Community Health and Wellness Programs.
