Albert Lea became the feature of a live “Good Morning America” segment for the second time on Monday as the show’s crew aimed to help America understand longevity foods and the success of the AARP/Blue Zones Vitality Project.

Broadcasting from Pioneer Park for what was a Labor Day Vitality Project potluck with a crowd of at least 100 people, the segment featured Blue Zones founder Dan Buettner — author of “Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer from the People Who’ve Lived the Longest” — and what he has found are common foods in the diets of the world’s longest-lived people.

Communicating with the show’s anchors in New York, Buettner walked producers through a table of healthy, longevity-promoting breakfast ideas. Afterward, the camera crews panned the crowd of excited Albert Leans, who could be seen with smiles on their faces.

People, young and old alike, who were holding signs and cheering, were in the audience.

A large majority of the people in attendance wore the official blue Vitality Project T-shirts. Signs acknowledging “Good Morning America,” the Vitality Project and different walking moais could be seen all around.

After the filming concluded, people filed into a line to taste the healthy breakfast creations of their fellow residents who brought food to the potluck.

Nothing but good comments could be heard from participants about the Vitality Project and the filming.

The project, which was announced in January, aims to make residents healthier and live longer through simple changes to lifestyles and environments. It has also brought about healthy changes for the city, school district and local restaurants.

“This morning it was great,” said Linda Stenseth, one resident who came out to be a part of the filming.

Stenseth, along with Stephannie and Diane Shaunce, ate their breakfast from a blanket near the picnic tables at the park.

Coffee: Buettner said this drink is high in antioxidants and recommended people drink a half a cup of it every hour until noon.

Green tea

Goat’s milk: He said 80 percent of all centenarians drink this everyday. It has a compound in it that lowers blood pressure.

Beans, tortillas.

Scrambled tofu with turmeric and green peppers.

Slow-churned oatmeal with fruit and nuts: This will keep people going all morning long and add years to your life, Buettner said.

Sprouted whole wheat bread with apple butter.

Buettner also mentioned a smoothie with blueberries, honey and cinnamon, which is also high in antioxidants.

He encouraged people to always have nuts, beans, whole wheat bread and sweet potatoes in their pantries.

While he said he’s not trying to get people to never have some of the other food alternatives, if people set up their environment with good choices, like the ones mentioned, people naturally will make better habits.

Diane Shaunce talked about the benefits the Vitality Project has brought to Albert Lea. She said she has seen more activity around Fountain Lake than she has ever seen before.

She noted she and her husband have walked around the lake for 15 years, but this year, she has seen more people — and more smiles, too.

Stephannie Shaunce, who works for public health in another county and who was visiting Albert Lea Monday, said it has been interesting for her to take in some of the Vitality Project for her county’s own projects regarding obesity.

While walking moais and families dominated the participants at the filming on Monday, there were some nontraditional groups that came out as well.

One of those groups, the “Dancing Steps” moai, is a dancing moai that meets every Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the Dance Yourself Silly studio in Skyline Plaza.

George Rothmeier, a member of the group, said the moai started the beginning of June. Each week, the group’s members dance to a variety of music, including cha-cha, rumba, waltz and swing, to name a few.

Dance instructor Roberta Grahn said during the gathering she doesn’t do any formal teaching and anyone — whether you know how to dance or not — can attend.

Rothmeier and Grahn both said the moai has helped them strengthen and make friendships. The group has also volunteered together.

It will be able to continue throughout all seasons.

Another moai starting up that showed presence at the Monday event was for people interested in horseback riding.

Carolyn Duncan, who started the group, said people need to have their own horse to participate; however, if people wanted to go to a ranch such as the Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch and pay to do so, that could be done as well.

With fall and winter approaching, people are looking for other ways to get together and practice the principles of the moai.

The Vitality project runs through the middle of October, but many entities throughout the city are hopeful the initiatives will continue on.