Vitality City visits Eats at Joe’s [PHOTOS]

The Vitality City public health initiative launched Thursday morning at Eat at Joe’s diner in Redondo Beach.  Leaders from all three beach cities gathered in support of the initiative, an ambitious three-year project that intends to measurably increase longevity and well-being locally and in so doing create a model that can be used nationally.

The project, a partnership between the Beach Cities Health District and Healthways/Blue Zones, will implement changes in the local environment to encourage healthier lifestyles. A team of nationally renowned consultants on healthier eating, community connectedness, and building more pedestrian and biker friendly streets has been assembled, several who were on hand Thursday.

Dan Burden, an expert on improving community walk-ability and bike-ability, said that the Vitality City project could become the beginning of a national movement towards healthier living.

“This needs to be the epicenter for change for the entire nation….So people can say, ‘This was the place,’” Burden said.

Also on hand were officials from all three beach cities and school districts.  Joel Spoonheim, the director of the initiative, said that the cooperation among seven public agencies — including the health district — has already created a groundswell of momentum.

“This is amazing,” Spoonheim said.   “…There is a concrete partnership already being built.”

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