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Seaside wins Blue Zones community certification; county says city exceeded engagement goals
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Summary
The Blue Zones Project presented Seaside with a community certification recognizing policies and programs that promote healthier living; county partners pledged continued support for sustainability and program staff.
Monterey County health and Blue Zones officials formally presented a Blue Zones Community Certification to the City of Seaside at the Sept. 18 council meeting, recognizing Seaside’s work to advance health‑and‑wellness policies and programs.
Kendra Howell, senior policy lead with the Blue Zones Project at Salinas Valley Health, said Seaside began its Blue Zones work in 2021 and “has been a role model for engagement by city leadership, staff, schools, businesses and residents.” She noted that county partners and sponsors—including Salinas Valley Health, Taylor Farms and Montage Health—will help sustain the work with staff support going forward.
Cindy Louise Foster, community program manager for the project, listed program accomplishments submitted for certification: five restaurants participating in a composting project; two grocery stores approved for food-systems work; four schools involved in Blue Zones activities; recognition of five local organizations; participation in more than 150 events since Seaside began the program; and more than 2,000 individuals engaged in Blue Zones activities.
The city manager and council members thanked project staff and community partners and framed the award as a stepping stone toward continued sustainability efforts. No formal council action was required; project sponsors said Montage Health and Salinas Valley Health will provide dedicated staffing to support the initiative’s next phase.
