Salinas Valley Memorial, Taylor Farms and Montage Health introduce Blue Zones Project Monterey County, Gonzalez Kickoff

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Salinas, CA – August 25, 2022 – Brought to Monterey County through an innovative sponsorship by Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System (SVMHS), Taylor Farms and Montage Health in partnership with Sharecare, Inc., and Blue Zones, LLC, Blue Zones Project Monterey County will be launching a kickoff event in Gonzales as part of the South County Expansion. 

Blue Zones Project Monterey County (BZPMC) invites the community to celebrate the expansion to South County. Enjoy free, fun, family-friendly activities, taste Blue Zones Project inspired bites, and learn from the BZPMC team and supporting organizations about how you can get involved.  

“The kickoff events in our Gonzales and King City expansion communities mark an exciting time for Blue Zones Project Monterey County. We are thrilled to be working in South Monterey County and have been impressed by the local desire to create healthier spaces within their communities,” said Tiffany DiTullio, Executive Director for Blue Zones Project Monterey County. Kickoff events provide opportunities for attendees to see the Blue Zones Power 9 principles in action, allowing them to visualize the transformation they’d like to see, and be a part of, in their community.   

“Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System is honored to sponsor this transformative healthcare initiative,” said Pete Delgado, President/CEO of SVMHS. “We have seen the impact of this program in other areas of implementation, and we fully expect residents in South County to benefit as well, enjoying greater shifts toward optimal health.” 

“Taylor Farms is delighted to partner with Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System and Montage Health as we expand Blue Zones Project to South Monterey County,” said Bruce Taylor, Chairman and CEO of Taylor Farms.  “We are committed to helping create a healthier community for all.” 

“The Blue Zones Project clearly aligns with Montage Health’s mission and our commitment to the community,” said Dr. Packer, President/CEO of Montage Health. “We are thrilled to partner in this effort with Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System and Taylor Farms. We look forward to the expansion into South Monterey County.” 

For day of event content, contact Veronica Plascencia at veronica.plascencia@sharecare.com or call 831-241-0561. 

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About Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System 

Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System (SVMHS) is dedicated to improving the health and wellness of the region through an integrated network of health care initiatives, services, and facilities. In addition to an acute care, public district hospital licensed for 263 beds, the system includes Salinas Valley Medical Clinic, a multi-location clinic expanding access to primary and specialty care and offers 13 urgent care locations. SVMHS is one of the area’s largest employers with a staff of more than 2000 and is a leader in providing nationally recognized quality care. Collaboration is an important operating principle for SVMHS in such key areas as our Level III NICU which is operated in a joint venture with Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford; The Madison Clinic for Pediatric Diabetes, partnership with UCSF; Aspire Health Plan, Monterey County’s only Medicare Advantage program; Community Health Innovations and Blue Zones Project Monterey County, building a community where people live longer and live healthier. For more information, visit www.svmh.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 in ground 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. For more information, visit www.taylorfarms.com 

About Blue Zones Project® by Sharecare 

Blue Zones Project® by Sharecare 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. Blue Zones Project is based on research by Dan Buettner, a National Geographic Fellow and New York Times best-selling author who identified five cultures of the world—or blue zones —with the highest concentration of people living to 100 years or older. The 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. Blue Zones launched the first pilot community in 2009 in Albert Lea, MN with groundbreaking results. In partnership with Sharecare, the model has since been applied to more than 70 communities across North America, impacting more than 4.5 million citizens. The population health solution includes two Health Districts in California; 15 cities in Iowa; the city of Forth Worth, Texas; Corry, Pennsylvania; Brevard, North Carolina; Walla Walla Valley, Washington; and communities in Southwest Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Oklahoma, Oregon, and Wisconsin. For more information visit www.bluezonesproject.com