Washtenaw Optimal Wellness (WOW) is working diligently to implement a Blue Zone Project. Blue Zone® Projects help citizens make the healthy choice, the easy choice™.
#PlantSlant is a Blue Zones® concept wherein citizens in the 5 original blue zones eat a primarily or all plant-based diet. As citizens in Washtenaw County adopt a more plant centered diet, restaurants are able to capitalize on this trend.
In addition to a trend from citizens commitment to health, Washtenaw County has a high population of students. 12% of millennial’s identify as vegetarian, plant-based or vegan, and 79% of Generation Z want to go meatless or vegan at least once or twice a week, according to new research by gen-z student food supplier Aramark.
The National Restaurant Association’s 2019 ‘What’s Hot’ report includes healthful children’s menu items, and veggie-centric / vegetable-forward cuisine.
See: The National Restaurant Associations Article ‘Expect veg-heavy menus as plant-based cuisine moves to center of plate’ https://restaurant.org/Articles/News/Plant-based-cuisine-top-food-trend-2019
Restaurants are a vital part of Blue Zones® Communities. Restaurants that adopt Blue Zones® Certified meals can capitalize on healthy offerings. It is less expensive to produce plant-based options when limiting meat and dairy in some menu offerings.
In other Blue Zone® Project Communities, hundreds of restaurants participated in making the healthy choice the easy choice ™. In Fort Worth, Texas, the owner of Pegaso Mexican Diner attributes 20% of his business to Blue Zones Project. The managing partner of VIVO 53® reports marketing success with participation and plans to add Blue Zones Project menu items in more locations.
Participating restaurants saw an overall rise in sales because of the local visibility. Blue Zones® Project social media, web, and onsite promotions connect your restaurant to new customers and to potential catering and event opportunities with other active organizations.
The Blue Zones® Project Team Commitment
WE MAKE IT EASY
Free access. Privately funded by sponsor organizations, Blue Zones Project experts, tools, and resources are available to you at no cost.
Simple actions. Blue Zones Project has identified proven practices for shaping a restaurant environment that make healthy choices easier for customers. It’s not about taking away what’s popular on your menu. It’s about providing and showcasing inspired options. You’ll find many no- and low-cost ideas, from talking up healthy sides to adding an all-fruit dessert.
Flexible approach. You decide which actions best suit your restaurant based on your brand, what you’re already doing, and what you aspire to do. You can include your own best practices as part of completing the Blue Zones Project Restaurant Pledge.
Hands-on support. Local Blue Zones® Project team members—working onsite in your community—provide resources, expertise, signage, and other collateral to help you and your staff take chosen actions. You can connect with other participating organizations and community leaders through local Blue Zones Project events.
Clear metrics. Blue Zones® Project is committed to measuring action and results. Our team of experts will help you set relevant measures, track return on your restaurant’s healthy changes, and measure impact across the community. Community-wide well-being improvement progress will be tracked annually using the Gallup-Sharecare Well-Being Index™.
Collaborative strength. With more than 200 interventions across organizations, Blue Zones® Project aims to reach all the places people live, work, dine, learn, and play. Healthy behaviors spread within and outside your restaurant, connecting you, your staff, and your customers to a thriving community. In these environments, healthy and easy become one and the same.
MAKE THE HEALTHY CHOICE THE EASY CHOICE™. AT YOUR RESTAURANT. IN YOUR COMMUNITY.
Be recognized as an active player in your community’s health and well-being. Build your business in a way that shows you care. Contact your Blue Zones® Project team to get started with the Blue Zones® Project Restaurant Pledge.
