This RivCo Restaurant Earns Blue Zones Project Approval: Here's What That Means

PALM SPRINGS, CA — Café La Jefa has become the newest Palm Springs restaurant to earn approval from the Blue Zones Project, the organization announced.

The coffee house and restaurant, located inside the Flannery Exchange, was recently recognized for creating an environment that promotes nutritious food, social connections, physical activity and overall well-being.

The designation of a Blue Zones Project Approved Restaurant makes Café La Jefa joins a network of local establishments working to make healthier choices more accessible to residents and visitors.

"Well-being grows in places where people feel welcome, connected, and inspired to care for themselves and one another," Palm Springs Mayor Naomi Soto said. "At Café La Jefa, nourishing food, local culture, movement and community come together in a way that reflects the very best of Palm Springs."

Erika and Mike Flannery opened the café in 2021. The restaurant serves Latin-inspired breakfast and lunch dishes, organic specialty coffees, teas and handcrafted beverages.

Its menu includes a Garden Fit breakfast inspired by Blue Zones principles, a plant-based Acai Bowl and drinks such as Blueberry Matcha and Lotus Energy beverages.

The restaurant also hosts live music and other activities. Café La Jefa recently partnered with Active CV to launch a Run Club designed to encourage walking, running and community movement.

"From the very beginning, our dream was to create more than a café," co-owner Erika Flannery said. "We wanted to build a place where people feel energized, inspired, and genuinely connected—to good food, good coffee, movement, creativity, and each other. Well-being has always been personal to us. It's something we strive to support every day through our menu, our team, and the experiences we create for our community.

What does being a Blue Zones Project Approved Restaurant Mean?

Becoming a Blue Zones Project Approved Restaurant is an honor because it reflects the values we've believed in from day one."

The Flannerys also developed the Flannery Exchange as a home for locally owned businesses, creative entrepreneurs and wellness-focused activities.

Blue Zones Project Palm Springs works with restaurants and other community organizations to create environments where healthier choices are easier, according to the organization.

"Blue Zones Project is about creating environments where healthy choices become the easy choices," said Mihai Patru, executive director of Blue Zones Project Palm Springs. "Café La Jefa embodies that vision in a truly authentic way. Whether someone comes for a nourishing meal, joins the Run Club, attends rooftop yoga, enjoys live music, or simply gathers with friends over coffee, they're experiencing a space intentionally designed to support physical, social, and emotional well-being. Erika and Mike have created something that extends far beyond food—they've built a destination where community thrives."