Blue Zones Project’s Give Healthy Challenge

Blue Zones Project and affiliated partners are launching a new healthy food drive initiative called the “Give Healthy Challenge” across Maui County.

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The County of Maui, Maui Food Bank and the Healthy Eating Active Living Coalition is partnering with the Blue Zones Project for the food drive.

As part of the initiative, Maui County Mayor Michael Victorino is challenging Maui businesses to participate in this food drive by donating food that meets the “Give Healthy” guidelines.

Businesses can also pledge to convert existing food drives or annual food drives to meet the Give Healthy guidelines.

Early adopters of the Give Healthy Challenge include Maui Electric Company, UHMC, Maui Family YMCA, MEO, Maui County Federal Credit Union, Mālama Maui Nui and Imua Family Services.

The initiative is motivated by providing greater access to healthy foods. According to the project, access to healthy foods is important to the health of Maui County because the county has the highest rates of obesity, diabetes, heart disease and other preventable chronic diseases than ever before.

The initiative also claims that more access points for healthy food within the Maui community would increase the possibility for equity in health for Maui County residents and hopefully prevent the rise in rates of chronic diseases.

Businesses can sign up by calling the Maui Food Bank at (808) 243-9500.