Blue Zones Project Palm Springs and Coachella have kicked off a series of interactive community events designed to create a happier, healthier, more vibrant community. Many of these are built around Moais, organized groups launched and run by Blue Zones Project teams that meet regularly around healthy habits such as walking, gardening and nutritious potlucks. The concept was inspired by the blue zones region of Okinawa, Japan and refers to friends supporting each other socially and emotionally.
Blues Zones Palm Springs Moais and More
Since the Community Kickoff in May, Blue Zones Palm Springs has launched three walking Moais along with other initiatives and programs. All activities are free and all community members are encouraged to join!
Aug. 19 – Sept. 18 Early Morning Walking Moai. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:30 a.m., starting at The Sukha Life studio in Palm Springs. Journey through the Deepwell neighborhood and along the Riverside Drive walking path.
Sept. 10 – Nov. 12 Sunrise Racquet Club Evening Walking Moai. Join your Sunrise Racquet Club neighbors for this after-dinner, pre-bedtime walk around the community. Wednesdays, 8-9 p.m., starting at the Clubhouse at 1200 North Sunrise Way.
Ongoing Village Fest Walking Moai. Thursdays, 7-9 p.m. Meet 7 p.m. sharp by the courtyard fountain at 777 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way.
Sept. 5 Food-a-Thon benefiting The LGBTQ Center of the Desert Food Bank 9-6 p.m. Help us raise 2,500 pounds of food in one day that will feed the hungry for a week.
Sept. 6 & 13 Tobacco Waste Clean-ups in Sunrise Park (6th) and Demuth Park (13th), 6:30-8:30 a.m. While our parks are zoned smoke/tobacco free, waste and residue can still be found.
Oct. 4 Well-Being Festival at Wellness Park. Showcasing the best of Palm Springs and the “Core 4” Blue Zones strategies for well-being: natural movement, the right outlook, eating wisely and authentic connection. Fun for all ages, giveaways, healthy food samples and more. Festivities kick off at the corner of Via Miraleste and Tachevah Road with a Tribal Land Acknowledgement and Bird Singing presented by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Blue Zones Project Coachella Brings Healthy Living to Life
In Coachella, the first Gardening-Based Cooking Nutrition Moai, held in collaboration with CalFresh and the University of California Natural Resources, combined hands-on gardening activities with nutrition education and a live cooking class.
Participants explored the fundamentals of plant growth, essential nutrients and seed germination before creating their own “My Little Sprout House” with eggplant seeds. Thanks to CalFresh, participants received pots and watering cans to transplant their seedlings at home. The day concluded with a Blue Zones-inspired cooking demonstration featuring strawberry-vanilla chia seed pudding.
The second Moai session continued the theme of food as medicine, highlighting how vitamins and minerals support bone density, immunity and overall health. The event concluded with a cooking demo for strawberry-orange ice pops, just in time for summer.
Upcoming opportunities for families and neighbors to connect around health and well-being include:
Family Fall Festival at Aziz Farms, October 18, 2–7 p.m., in partnership with St. John’s Community Health and Aziz Farms, Inc. Families will enjoy a fun-filled afternoon with a bouncy house, interactive games and kid-friendly activities alongside cooking demos and farm fresh experiences.
Fiestas Azules: Blue Zones Project Coachella Kickoff Celebration, November 15, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. This exciting celebration will bring the Power 9® principles of longevity to life with sponsors and local partners showcasing how to make the healthy choice the easy choice in Coachella. Guests will enjoy art, music, dancing and special guest speakers, as well as delicious offerings from featured Healthy Food Trucks.
Celebrating Coachella’s First Healthy Food Truck: Fat Boy Tacos. Join the City as they recognize this milestone in their food landscape. Visit Bagdouma Park, located off Avenue 51, on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5-10 p.m., and on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., to try the menu and learn more about this partnership creating healthier dining options for the community.
Beyond events, Blue Zones Project Coachella is also working on the built environment, gathering over 700 signatures to advocate for restoring a Sunline bus stop near the Coachella Senior Center. In partnership with Sunline, the City of Coachella and the County Supervisor’s office, the team is working toward safer, more reliable transportation solutions for local seniors.
Through these community-driven efforts, Blue Zones Project Palm Springs and Coachella advance their three pillars: engaging people, shaping healthier places and supporting smart policy. Together, these small changes can grow into lifelong healthy habits.
For more information, to sign up for events and updates, and to sign the Blue Zones personal pledge, visit www.bluezonesprojectpalmsprings.com and www.bluezonesprojectcoachella.com.
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