How the Blue Zones project has reshaped healthy living in Petaluma

Blue Zones also held a series of purpose workshops for local high school students, which helped them better imagine where and how they could volunteer in the community.

Then, to help make connections with students who want more volunteer opportunities, Blue Zones leaders held a Community Volunteer Summit in partnership with Casa Grande High School and 20 local nonprofit organizations. Nearly 800 students participated.

“After the students met with the nonprofit organizations, they came back to class excited and activated,” said teacher David Stirrat. “Their writing about what they saw and found reflected that excitement – an authentic learning experience and a bridge to action in their community.”

Journey to wellness

After community survey data showed that clinical depression was high among Petaluma women and that, among men, trends showed above-normal weight and high blood pressure, Blue Zones leaders began organizing physical and mental wellness events for residents at no cost.

That includes its free weekly yoga sessions on Monday evenings, led by Dana Christian Lee of Embody Yoga, with classes located at the Blue Zones project office at 8 4th St.

Eastwood said her own journey to wellness included those yoga classes, as well as the Blue Zones Challenge app – which tracks diet and daily activity while providing tips on nutrition and energy while reducing stress – helping her reach her health goals amid a greater sense of community.

“All of these tools came with the remarkable price tag of zero dollars and my personal commitment to make time to prioritize my own well-being,” Eastwood said.

Leaders have also launched a 10-week walking group series, one on the city’s east side and another on the west side. The west side walking group meets Wednesdays at 7 a.m. at McNear Park and the east side walking series takes place on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. at Leghorns Park.

Meanwhile, Blue Zones has put on a number of cooking demonstrations and nutrition talks. Attendance at these events is said to number in the hundreds.

The app is free for residents with a Petaluma zip code by going to bluezones.com/challengeapp. Info and registration for Community Yoga and other events can be found at bluezonesprojectpetaluma.com/events.

Among the initiative’s many partnerships – which include Cool Petaluma, Aqus Foundation, Cafe Puente, Santa Rosa Junior College and of course Healthy Petaluma – Warwick highlighted the Petaluma Health Center’s 10-week “Healthy Habits” series exclusively for Spanish-speaking community members.

“We’re looking at running that quarterly because that has been a really successful partnership,” Warwick said.

There’s also a Teen Art Studio series for students grades 9-12 which brings young artists together twice per week for five weeks in partnership with Artaluma. The program is 4-5:30 p.m. Mondays and Fridays at the downtown studio at 145 Keller St..

Warwick emphasized, “We’re not coming in to tell people how they’re supposed to be healthy. We’re coming in and learning what does Petaluma desire in order to fulfill that goal, and how can we make it happen in partnership with them.”

Changing policy

One of the major goals of the Blue Zones project is to change and enhance policies and infrastructure in Petaluma, and to ensure those policies increase equity and sustainability.

That effort, led by De León, has focused on three policy areas: built environment, food systems and alcohol.

More specifically, Blue Zones project leaders have been involved with the city of Petaluma’s active transportation and Safe Streets plans, as part of its goal to enhance streets, intersections, buildings, homes and sidewalks to promote more “natural movement,” socialization and a variety of options for residents in how they live, work and play.

For example, under the “built environment” category Blue Zones leaders have called for enhanced lighting along recreation trails and in parks to “improve the nighttime user experience and encourage more individuals to use these areas at night,” De León said.

On the food policy side, the group wants to ensure that residents have access to affordable, healthy food in the places they spend their time. As one way to do that, Blue Zones is working with the city to revitalize the Petaluma Fairgrounds and use it as a third location for a regular farmer’s market, complementing current ones at Walnut Park and the Lucchesi Community Center.

Blue Zones also works with organizations like Redwood Empire Food Bank and Petaluma Peoples Services Center’s Meals on Wheels program to connect people who need support getting access to essential food.

Blue Zones also helped local nonprofit Una Vida secure a $15,000 grant to expand its resources, Warwick said, which “has helped them to be able to provide more food support to the community that needs it.”

Meanwhile, Blue Zones leaders are working with grocery stores and markets to implement changes that draw more people toward healthier options, such as having a heavier produce presence near the front entrance of the stores. Many stores are already participating in that, Warwick said.

Though Blue Zones does not have direct control over the cost of food, the organization is promoting opportunities where people can gain access to free or low-cost quality food.

According to Warwick, the goal is to have at least 15% of local schools, 10% of restaurants, 25% of grocery stores and at least 10 of the top 20 employers working toward becoming a “Blue Zones project-approved” organization.

Overall, 5,745 people have now engaged with Blue Zones Project Petaluma, leaders said, and it has drawn in about 32 community partners.

“I think the greatest strength that we have is our capacity to build relationships within the community,” Warwick said. “There is no shortage of good people doing great work here in Petaluma.”

Amelia Richardson is a staff writer for the Argus-Courier. She can be reached at amelia.richardson@arguscourier.com or 707-521-5208.