Palm Springs, CA

Bread and Flours Bakery has been officially designated the first Blue Zones Project Palm Springs Approved Restaurant, marking a significant milestone in the city’s growing commitment to healthy living and community well-being.

The recognition, announced November 17, celebrates the bakery’s dedication to crafting food with fresh, responsibly sourced ingredients and offering menu items that support longevity-focused lifestyles. To honor the achievement, the community is invited to a Blue Ribbon Celebration on Friday, November 21, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., at Bread and Flours Bakery on North Palm Canyon Drive.

The event will open with a Breaking Bread Ceremony, where Palm Springs Mayor Pro Tem Naomi Soto will join bakery owners Mark Gavigan and Kristin Ryall in sharing a giant hand-crafted sourdough loaf. The gesture symbolizes partnership, community connection, and the bakery’s commitment to wellness-focused food.

Following the ceremony, guests will enjoy an official Blue Ribbon Cutting and several interactive activities, including a Pop-Up Well-Being Station. Attendees can spin a Well-Being Wheel for prizes such as Blue Zones swag, recipe cards, and bakery specials. Bread and Flours will also unveil new Blue Zones-inspired menu items, including Lentil Soup, Rosemary Sourdough, and “Ikaria” Hummus with lemon oil.

“Bread and Flours embodies the spirit of Palm Springs—creative, conscientious, and community-minded,” Mayor Pro Tem Soto said. “Their commitment to scratch-made food and sustainable practices shows that flavor and nutrition can go hand in hand.”

Mihai Patru, Executive Director of Blue Zones Project Palm Springs, noted the broader impact of partnerships like this: “Restaurants like Bread and Flours help create environments where making healthy choices becomes the easy choice. Their leadership is essential to building a community where well-being is baked right in.”

Owners Gavigan and Ryall say the partnership reflects their core values. “We’re honored to join Blue Zones Project Palm Springs. Everything we do—from our ingredients to our baking methods—is about serving good food that supports wellness and connection in our community.”

Event Details
Bread and Flours Blue Ribbon Celebration
Friday, November 21, 10:00–11:00 a.m.
Bread and Flours, 2100 N Palm Canyon Dr Suite 105, Palm Springs
Open to the public | More info on Eventbrite

Blue Zones Project is a regional health and well-being initiative supported by Riverside University Health System – Public Health and several major healthcare partners. In Palm Springs and across Riverside County, the program works with cities, local organizations, and businesses to make healthier living more accessible through long-term community-based strategies.

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