Join  the  Movement  

FOR A HEALTHIER IOWA

Blue  Zones  Project  

Wellmark  Blue  Cross  and  Blue  Shield  is  an  Independent  Licensee  of  the  Blue  Cross  and  Blue  Shield  Associa=on.  ©  2012  Wellmark,  Inc.      

Copyright  ©  2012  Blue  Zones,  LLC  and  Healthways,  Inc.  All  rights  reserved.    

 

   

Cer=fica=on  Update  

Goals: •  20% Citizens (age 13+) •  25% Schools (across 3 Districts) •  25% Restaurants (locally owned, independently operated) •  25% Grocery Stores •  10 of top 20 worksites •  Three new community policies

February  Status:                                              July  Status:  

Ac=ve  Living  

Bicycle  Master  Plan  •  Bike  racks  •  Added  bike  lanes  •  Bike  Corral  •  Cedar  Rapids  Points  of  Pride      

!

Ac=ve  Living  

Safe  Routes  to  School  (76th  Ave.)  •  Designa=on  of  the  best  and  safest  routes  to  elementary  and  middle  school  

•  Encourage  students  to  safely  walk  and  bike  to  school  •  Walking  school  bus  •  Crossing  guards    

Ac=ve  Living  

Other  Built  Environment  Projects  •  Prairie  Drive  NE  –  Mount  Mercy  University  Sidewalk  Project  •  3rd  St.  SE  Traffic  Calming  •  Downtown  Bike  Racks  •  Bever  Ave.  SE  

! !

Food  Policy  

Urban  Orchard  •  Student  led  project  •  Ins=lla=on  of  an  urban  

fruit  orchard  at  Noelridge  Park  

“The  urban  orchard  is  an  important  addi3on  to  Noelridge  Park.  Suppor3ng  local  food  produc3on  and  watching  as  the  kids  connect  to  nature  and  gardening  has  been  rewarding  for  all  of  the  partner  organiza3ons”  –  Daniel  Gibbins,  Parks  Superintendent.  

Urban Greening Projects •  Coe College •  Horizons

Food  Policy  

Community  Garden  Network  •  Aligns  with  the  community  goal  of  increasing  visibility  and  access  

to  healthy  fresh  food  •  Updated  urban  agriculture  ordinance  •  Food  is  donated  to  food  pantries  and  organiza=ons  that  feed  

underserved  popula=ons  •  Increased  vegetable  produc=on  in  the  community  

•  Engaged  schools  and  worksites    

School  Districts  

CR  School  District  Wellness  Policy  •  District  Wellness  Goals  •  Approach  

•  Integrated  school,  parent,  and  community  approach  

•  Meet  State  and  Federal  criteria  

•  Promote  ini=a=ves  through  a  coordinated  effort    

 

Worksites  

Worksite  ValidaLon  •  Walking  groups  (and  designated  walking  routes)  •  Change  content  of  vending  machines  •  Only  offer  foods  that  meet  the  BZP  guidelines  for  healthy  foods  

and  beverages  at  mee=ngs  and  special  events  •  Promote  and  encourage  volunteerism  •  Ensure  availability  of  bike  racks  

•  Par=cipate  in  bike  to  work  week  

Think  about  what  your  organiza3on  is  doing  and  how  these  metrics  relate  to  you    

Grocery  Stores  

Blue  Zones  Check  Out  Lanes  •  Promote  healthier  snack  op=ons  in  

checkout  lines  •  Produce  sales  •  Water  sales  •  Sugar  sweetened  beverage  sales  •  Loca=on  metrics  

Restaurants  

Visibility  of  Healthy  Foods  •  Promote  locally  sourced  op=ons  •  Promote  visibility  of  healthy  foods  •  Increase  in  fruit  procurement  

•  EX:  Coffee  Emporium    •  Blue  Strawberry  

“I have one customer who calls in each morning making sure we have a fruit cup made for him.” – Robin Morris, Coffee Emporium Owner

How  would  you  describe  us  as  a  Blue  Zones  Community?  

If  someone  asked  you  what  it  means  that  Cedar  Rapids  is  a  Blue  Zones  Community,  what  would  you  say?