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NAPLES, Fla. (May 22, 2018) – The Boardwalk, an open-air bistro on the Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) campus, is now a Blue Zones Project Approved™ restaurant. They are now the second approved restaurant in Estero and the first on the FGCU campus. Although the restaurant serves the faculty and students at FGCU, the restaurant is also open to the public. A recognition ceremony and ribbon cutting took place on April 16 with Blue Zones Project co-founder, Dan Buettner in attendance. “Because of the increasing rates of obesity, unhealthy eating habits and physical inactivity, we may see the first generation that will be less healthy and have a shorter life expectancy than their parents,” stated Tara Bencomo, director of marketing & guest experience, FGCU Campus Dining. “This is the grave statistic we heard when we first learned about Blue Zones Project that drove our commitment to the program. We have a duty to feed our students with nourishing food that will feed their minds and bodies. We want to be part of the solution to end this statistic and not only feed the students but also educate them on healthy eating habits. The university environment is where students create habits that last a lifetime and we believe that our dining program can work in conjunction with the classroom in preparing students for their future.” To become a Blue Zones Project Approved™ restaurant, The Boardwalk added two new plant-based dishes, the Paradise Bowl and the Malibu Burger, both offered with a side of jicama slaw. In their outdoor dining area, they allow pets and are completely non-smoking. They join more than 148 other area companies involved with Blue Zones Project, a community-by-community, well-being improvement initiative designed to support longer, better lives through permanent changes to environment, policy, and social networks. Principles are based on lifestyles in Blue Zones® areas, which are pockets of the world where people live longer with less chronic disease and higher quality of life. Brought to Southwest Florida by NCH Healthcare System, in collaboration with Sharecare®, Inc. and Blue Zones, LLC, Blue Zones Project is a vital part of Southwest Florida’s well-being improvement initiative that encourages changes in the community that lead to healthier options. For more information about Blue Zones Project Southwest Florida, visit southwestflorida.bluezonesproject.com.