Member News

Monterey, CA, May 22, 2023 – Blue Zones Project® Monterey County is proud to announce Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa achieved designation as a Blue Zones Project Approved™ worksite, implementing practices that leverage evidence-based discoveries in blue zones around the world to improve the community's well- being. Situated along California's rugged coastline in the heart of the historic Monterey Bay, the hotel will celebrate this achievement on Wednesday, May 24.

"I am honored to be a part of the Blue Zone Project, an initiative that focuses on the longevity of our community by applying both cultural and environment practices of the world's longest-lived communities," expressed Director of Wellness Qadiri Zebrowski. "Not only do I get to live out a personal dream by applying this renowned philosophy to transform both my health and my community's, but I also get to share this new chapter with my co-workers."

Employee health is a top priority for Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa and their collaboration with Blue Zones Project is an asset in supporting their goals to drive forward a wellness-focused destination. To showcase the hotel's commitment to employee well-being, Monterey Plaza implemented a variety of best practices to make healthy choices easier for our staff. These initiatives include adding plant-based options to our menu, providing ergonomic training and assessments to our employees, offering hourly micro-breaks and special blue zones parking for employees to encourage more natural movement and more. With a high percentage of Monterey County residents diagnosed with  diabetes, Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa offers weight management resources and on-site biometric screening to support employees' health and wellness goals.

"Working with the Blue Zones Project team on the approval process has been an invaluable learning experience and created a life-changing partnership," says Director of People & Culture Nora Fairgarden. "Monterey Plaza's desire to partner with Blue Zones Project was a natural fit since our hotel value's the well- being not only of our staff and guests, but that of our entire community as well."

Brought to Monterey County through an innovative sponsorship by Salinas Valley Health, Taylor Farms, and Montage Health in collaboration with Sharecare, Inc. and Blue Zones, LLC, Blue Zones Project® is a community-by-community well-being improvement initiative designed to enable community members to live longer, happier lives with lower rates of chronic diseases and a higher quality of life. Based on principles developed by Dan Buettner, National Geographic Fellow and New York Times best-selling author of "The Blue Zones" and "The Blue Zones Solution," Blue Zones Project is designed to make healthy choices easier through permanent changes to the built environment, policy and social networks.

To learn more about Blue Zones Project, contact the Blue Zones Project team in Monterey County or visit montereycounty.bluezonesproject.com

++

About Blue Zones Project® by Sharecare
Blue Zones Project® is a community-led well-being improvement initiative designed to make healthy choices easier through permanent changes to a city's environment, policy, and social networks. Established in 2010, Blue Zones Project is based on research by Dan Buettner, a National Geographic Fellow and New York Times bestselling author who identified five cultures of the world—or blue zones —with the highest concentration of people living to 100 years or older. Blue Zones Project incorporates Buettner's findings and works with cities to implement policies and programs that will move a community toward optimal health and well-being. Currently, more than 70 communities across North America have joined Blue Zones Project, impacting more than 4.5 million citizens. The population health solution includes Albert Lea, Minnesota; the city of Fort Worth, Texas; Corry, Pennsylvania; Brevard, North Carolina; Grand Forks, North Dakota; and communities in California, Iowa, Southwest Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Oklahoma, Oregon, Washington, and Wisconsin. Blue Zones Project is a partnership between Blue Zones, LLC, and Sharecare, Inc. (NASDAQ: SHCR) For more information, visit  bluezonesproject.com.

About Salinas Valley Health
Salinas Valley Health exists to help our community rise through good health. Founded in 1953 as Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System, today we serve individuals and families throughout the Salinas Valley, Monterey Peninsula, and surrounding region. Salinas Valley Health employees more than 2,000 people and consists of a network of resources, which include a 263-bed acute care medical center; primarily, specialty and urgent care clinics; a mobile clinic; and community-based health and wellness programs such as Blue Zones Project Monterey County. We deliver evidence-based quality and patient-focused care to improve health and well-being for all. SalinasValleyHealth.com

About Montage Health
Montage Health is the local, nonprofit parent company of a family of organizations dedicated to improving lives by delivering exceptional care and inspiring the pursuit of optimal health. Through its subsidiaries and its partnerships with doctors and other clinicians, healthcare and community organizations, and, most importantly community members, Montage Health is dedicated to care that is coordinated across all care settings to meet each person's goals and needs. Montage Health companies include Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula, Montage Medical Group, Montage Health Foundation, Montage Wellness Center, Aspire Health, and MoGo Urgent Care. For more information, visit www.montagehealth.org

About Taylor Farms
Taylor Farms is a leading North American producer of salads and healthy fresh foods with production facilities across the US, Canada, and Mexico. Taylor Farms is grounded in a commitment to quality, assured supply, innovation, sustainability, and food safety. Taylor Farms is family owned and based in "The Salad Bowl of the World" Salinas, California. www.taylorfarms.com

About the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa
A 14-time designated Forbes Four-Star rated hotel and rated the number one hotel in Monterey by TripAdvisor, Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa is situated along California's rugged coastline in the heart of historic Monterey Bay, with an impressive legacy and heritage dating back to the early 1900s. Nicknamed "The Grand Dame of the Bay," the hotel is home to 290 recently renovated guest rooms and suites; the signature Vista Blue Spa, with breathtaking Monterey Bay views; distinctive dining options at Coastal Kitchen, Schooners Monterey, Tidal Coffee and the Lobby Lounge; a grand lobby; and exterior plazas. Perched directly on Cannery Row, the hotel's ideal location provides easy access to the area's most vibrant attractions, including Monterey Bay Aquarium, Fisherman's Wharf and recreational activities such as world-class  golf,  sailing,  scuba  diving  and  whale  watching.  For  more  information,  please visit: www.montereyplazahotel.com.