MASON CITY – Some Mason City businesses and organizations have achieved designation as Blue Zones Worksites.
North Iowa Area Community College, First Citizens National Bank, Principal Financial Group, and Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health all became designated this week.
In order for Mason City to become a fully-designated Blue Zones community, 50% of the top 20 community-identified worksites become designated as Blue Zones Worksites.
The Mason City Blue Zones project team said via its Facebook page that “These organizations are making a tremendous impact on Mason City, helping make the healthy choice easier in everyday life. We’re looking forward to seeing many other worksites, restaurants, and grocery stores achieve designation soon.”
Mason City officially kicked off its Blue Zone project a couple weeks ago at NIACC. The goal is to eventually help Iowa become the healthiest state in America by the year 2016.
According to the Blue Zones official website, here’s what it takes to get fully certified as a Blue Zones Community:
20% of citizens sign up with the Blue Zones Project™ and complete at least one Action
25% of schools become Blue Zones Schools™
25% of locally-owned or independent restaurants become Blue Zones Restaurants™
25% of grocery stores become Blue Zones Grocery Stores™
50% of the top 20 community-identified worksites become Blue Zones Worksites™
Implement at least one policy from each section of the Community Policy Action List
Complete at least two changes to the built environment to help people adopt healthier behaviors
Earn at least 40% of the total available points for community policy pledge actions