Make Columbia, South Carolina a Designated Blue Zone City!
Blue Zones are regions worldwide known for exceptional longevity and health. Identified by Dan Buettner, the five recognized Blue Zones include Ikaria, Greece; Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica; and Loma Linda, California, USA. Factors contributing to longevity include diet, lifestyle, and strong social connections. Most recently, Singapore has been identified as the sixth Blue Zone. These areas have a high number of centenarians and lower rates of chronic diseases.
With Blue Zones…
o Fort Worth, Texas reduced smoking 31%
o Wahiaw Hawaii added 21.6 miles of bike lanes
o Klamath Falls, Oregon saw 12% increase in produce sales
o And Beach Cities, California saw a 15% drop in obesity rates
With Blue Zones…
o Fort Worth, Texas reduced smoking 31%
o Wahiaw Hawaii added 21.6 miles of bike lanes
o Klamath Falls, Oregon saw 12% increase in produce sales
o And Beach Cities, California saw a 15% drop in obesity rates
It takes partnership, from the public and private sectors, to make something like this happen and stick.
As a community, we are coming together to raise awareness and funds for the Blue Zones Project Assessment, the first step in becoming a Blue Zones Project Community. To successfully execute this assessment, we require funding assistance amounting to $250,000. This amount will cover the costs associated with the comprehensive evaluation, analysis, and recommendations provided by Blue Zone Project experts. The assessment will involve evaluating various aspects of our community, including but not limited to social connections, physical environment, and lifestyle choices, with the ultimate goal of implementing positive changes that promote healthier living.
Please see the donation section at the bottom of this page. Your contribution will be allocated toward the total assessment cost.
Through the implementation of Blue Zones principles, the project will work to increase access to healthy foods by promoting community gardens, farmers' markets, and partnerships with local grocery stores to offer affordable produce. Additionally, efforts will be made to enhance infrastructure for walking and biking, including the development of safe routes to schools and parks, as well as the creation of pedestrian-friendly urban spaces. The project will address the need for cultural and environmental changes that support healthier lifestyles.
To donate to the effort or learn more, email [email protected]. If you haven't had the chance yet, don't forget that Dan Buettner’s book, The Blue Zones, is available for sale online. It's a wonderful read that complements Columbia’s shared vision for a healthier, happier community.
Please see the donation section at the bottom of this page. Your contribution will be allocated toward the total assessment cost.
Through the implementation of Blue Zones principles, the project will work to increase access to healthy foods by promoting community gardens, farmers' markets, and partnerships with local grocery stores to offer affordable produce. Additionally, efforts will be made to enhance infrastructure for walking and biking, including the development of safe routes to schools and parks, as well as the creation of pedestrian-friendly urban spaces. The project will address the need for cultural and environmental changes that support healthier lifestyles.
To donate to the effort or learn more, email [email protected]. If you haven't had the chance yet, don't forget that Dan Buettner’s book, The Blue Zones, is available for sale online. It's a wonderful read that complements Columbia’s shared vision for a healthier, happier community.
Letter from Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann
Should you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected] or my staff member at [email protected].
EVENTS TO DATE
Columbia Blue Zones Introduction with Prisma Health
On October 30, 2023, the City of Columbia and Prisma Health introduced Columbia to the Blue Zones Initiative. Dan Buettner provided insights and research into the world's longest-lived and healthiest places, highlighting the shared lifestyle and cultural traits of these regions. These areas are commonly referred to as the Blue Zones. There was widespread agreement that this couldn't be a singular occurrence, and for the city to become a Blue Zone, it must be a collaborative and community-driven initiative.
Columbia hosts forum on becoming a Blue Zone city
Coverage by by WLTX (March 29, 2024)
Coverage by by WLTX (March 29, 2024)
On April 1, 2024, the City of Columbia, in collaboration with Blue Zones, hosted a public forum to educate Columbia residents and businesses about what a Blue Zones Community Assessment would look like in Columbia, South Carolina. Blue Zone’s Vice President of Business Development Margaret Brown shared the assessment process and case studies of the benefits other cities have uncovered. The Mayor and Mrs. Brown took questions from the audience. Over 120 individuals attended the event at Segra Park showing the interest and momentum of the effort.
Palmetto Forum on Blue Zones
On April 3, 2024, the University of South Carolina’s Walker Institute and Columbia World Affairs Council held a Palmetto Forum at the Boyd Innovation Center to dive deeper into the international roots of Blue Zones and connect the practices to Columbia. Over 100 business leaders gathered for Blue Zones inspired cuisine and libations and a presentation to learn more about the current six designated Blue Zones.
Blue Zones Dinner at Smoked
On June 27, 2024, Smoked hosted a Blue Zone Dinner in partnership with the City of Columbia, Columbia World Affairs Council, and USC's Walker Institute. It was a special evening featuring six Blue Zone inspired courses presented with background and information about the Blue Zones they were derived from. Nearly 130 individuals attended to see the great Blue Zone aspects the City of Columbia already has.
Columbia Blue Zones Catalysts
A huge THANK YOU! to these companies for their support of the Columbia Blue Zones initiative! Please visit their websites, using the hyperlinks below, to learn more about the great work they are doing in our community.
- City of Columbia
- Columbia World Affairs Council
- Prisma Health Foundation
- University of South Carolina Walker Institute of International and Area Studies
- Smoked Restaurant
- Boyd Innovation Center
- AgFirst Farm Credit Bank
- United Way of the Midlands
- All Good Books
- Main Street District | City Center Partnership
- Optus Bank
- Cheney Brothers
- US Foods
- Senn Bros Produce
- Columbia Printing & Graphics
- Pop Out Decor
Contribute to a healthier, happier Columbia
DONATE TODAY!
Donation checks can be made out to Columbia World Affairs Council and mailed to
P.O. Box 5593, Columbia, SC 29250,
or you can contribute online below
The Columbia World Affairs Council—a private, nonpartisan, 501(c)3 nonprofit organization facilitating global education programming and innovative international exchanges—is your community partner for Blue Zones fundraising and is now collecting financial support for the assessment fee. All donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law (Federal Tax ID 57-0972662).
Questions? Want to learn more? Please email us at, [email protected]
P.O. Box 5593, Columbia, SC 29250,
or you can contribute online below
The Columbia World Affairs Council—a private, nonpartisan, 501(c)3 nonprofit organization facilitating global education programming and innovative international exchanges—is your community partner for Blue Zones fundraising and is now collecting financial support for the assessment fee. All donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law (Federal Tax ID 57-0972662).
Questions? Want to learn more? Please email us at, [email protected]