FAIRFIELD, IOWA -- Fairfield announced this week that it has been chosen as one of the small communities demonstration sites for the Blue Zones project. The town is now beginning the long process of meeting the Blue Zones' very specific goals for what it takes to receive Blue Zones designation.
The town is one of nine to become a demonstration site, but there is still a long road of work ahead.
"People got really excited, like we've made it, I remind them - actually, we've just begun the process to be in the running," said Michael Halley, Fairfield City Council member and Blue Zones Board member. "You have to first get chosen as a [demonstration site] and then after that actually do the work to be Blue Zones designation."
Going forward, the next step will be to create what is called a Power Nine group to lay out a plan for meeting the Blue Zones goals, which mostly deal with getting a certain percentage of grocery stores, restaurants, schools and more to pledge support to the Blue Zones initiative.
Halley said the local schools and government have been supportive all along, and the restaurants and grocers that were in attendance at the site visit are as well. It is now the process of educating other businesses and residents on why becoming a Blue Zones community will be worth their while.
Along the way, Fairfield will work with a state Blue Zones coordinator, who will help them keep track of their progress.
All together, Halley said the process will take one to two years before designations are awarded.
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