In August, The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert's Community Food Bank and Aziz Farms gave our valley a great example of what it means to be a good neighbor. In a newly formed partnership, the food bank purchased fresh produce directly from a Coachella Valley farm, with the shared goal of making these local purchases a monthly commitment. This partnership brings together two ends of the Coachella Valley to address gaps in access to healthy food while supporting our local economy and agricultural community. Through the collaboration of Blue Zones Project Palm Springs, Aziz Farms, and The Center's Community Food Bank, we are seeing what “good neighbors” truly look like. One valley, one community. Too often, the Coachella Valley divides itself into the east end and the west end. But hunger doesn't recognize city boundaries, and neither should healthy food. When we come together as one community, we create solutions that benefit us all. The Center's Community Food Bank serves more than 500 families each week. By providing locally grown, fresh produce, this partnership gives more of our neighbors the opportunity to enjoy healthy food that may not have always been affordable. It also strengthens our local food system by investing in the farmers who grow the food right in our own backyard. This is what wellbeing looks like in action. The Center has long been committed to providing nutritious food, healthy recipes and a healthy food pantry environment. While this first purchase is something worth celebrating, we hope it marks the beginning of a lasting partnership. The vision is to make locally sourced produce a regular, monthly part of The Center's food distribution efforts, and Blue Zones Project Palm Springs is proud to support and build upon the incredible work they are doing. Growing a stronger local food system. Our hope is that this partnership inspires other food pantries and organizations in the Coachella Valley to consider purchasing locally whenever possible. When we invest in our local farmers, increase access to fresh, healthy food, and support one another, our entire valley becomes stronger, healthier and more connected. And that is what being a good neighbor is all about. www.DesertHealthNews.com September/October 2026 Medical News The Valley's Leading Resource for Health and Wellness 6 www.palmspringsendodontics.com www.ranchomirageendodontics.com www.palmspringsendodontics.com www.ranchomirageendodontics.com www.jordanptcenter.com www.palmspringsendodontics.com www.ranchomirageendodontics.com Laser Endodontic Treatment Laser energy enhances the effect of disinfectants used in the canals, further eliminating bacterial infection. Ozone Therapy for Endodontics An advanced preventative therapy that fights off bacteria and pathogens which typically cause most oral health problems. 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Paseo Dorotea, Ste. 9 Palm Springs PERSONALIZED CARE FOR THE ENTIRE COACHELLA VALLEY Community News The True Meaning of ‘Good Neighbor’ By Diane Morales, Policy Lead, Blue Zones Project Palm Springs The Center, Aziz Farms and Blue Zones Project team members celebrate the newly formed partnership. Blue Zones Project Coachella (BZPC) celebrated August with its Ultimate End of Summer Wellness Festival on Saturday, Aug. 8, at Rancho 51 in Coachella. Over 780 community members and 40 community partners came together for a day of wellness, family fun and valuable resources. The festival demonstrated an important part of the Blue Zones Project approach: improving community health by building community partnerships that can continue creating impact well beyond the BZPC term. Families enjoyed water slides and activities, a foam party, yoga, meditation and other opportunities for movement and connection. Guests enjoyed a cooking demonstration by local chef Carlos Duarte, who showed that healthy eating doesn't have to sacrifice flavor. Blue Zones-approved foods and healthy refreshments were provided by El Tranvia restaurant, while Hidden Harvest and FIND Food Bank provided fresh fruit, vegetables and food resources. Families also received backpacks, school supplies and clothing. Beyond the festivities, the event created meaningful connections to health care and social services. Riverside University Health System (RUHS) made 92 connections with individuals and families, provided seven referrals for additional services and collected eight Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS)-related surveys, which measure performance on important dimensions of care and services. Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) connected with approximately 130 individuals and families and provided eight referrals for additional services. St. John’s Community Health reached 125 individuals and families, resulting in 12 appointments, seven physicals, three vaccinations and two connections to other services. The Autism Booth made 120 connections, with two people registering for services, while Visión y Compromiso reached 125 individuals and families and generated nine mental health service sign-ups. These outcomes show how community events can turn engagement into action. Connecting residents with physicals, vaccinations, referrals, screenings and followup services can also support health care organizations working to improve HEDIS performance, particularly measures focused on preventive care and access to appropriate health services. “Events like this show what is possible when our community comes together,” said BZPC Executive Director Angela Zepeda. “The Ultimate End of Summer Wellness Festival created a place where everyone could have fun, connect with their neighbors, discover wellness resources and experience that healthy living can be enjoyable and accessible.” The festival highlighted BZPC’s larger goal of creating sustainable community change by building a network of healthcare providers, nonprofits, businesses, community organizations and residents. Through collaboration, this network can help make the healthy choice the easy choice and create lasting pathways to healthier families. To get involved in Palm Springs, contact bzppalmsprings@bluezones.com, or in Coachella, bzpcoachella@bluezones.com. Visit www.bluezonesprojectps.com or www.bluezonesprojectcoachella.com. Wellness Fest Turns Connection into Action By Cassandra Teran, Marketing and Engagement Lead, BZPC Families frolic in the foam party at the Ultimate End of Summer Wellness Festival.
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