Youth activists and community members urged Richmond City Council members on Tuesday to advance an ordinance that would require large retailers to stock only healthy snacks and beverages at checkout lanes.
The ordinance was not scheduled for review at Tuesday’s council meeting, but advocates spoke during Open Forum to request that council consider it in an upcoming meeting.
“By passing this ordinance, we can empower individuals to make better choices and address critical health issues like diabetes,” a Contra Costa College freshman and member of the Richmond Youth Food Policy Council stated.
Back in January 2022, the council received a report from HOPS youth advocates and directed staff to draft an ordinance requiring large retail stores to stock healthier checkout items. In March this year, an ordinance was proposed, but it has yet to return to council for consideration. The draft ordinance would prohibit candy, sodas and high-sodium snacks from being displayed in the checkout aisles of stores larger than 2,000 square feet. Beverages with no added sugars or artificial sweeteners, as well as food items with no more than five grams of added sugars and 200 milligrams of sodium per labeled serving, would be allowed. Prepared foods would be exempted from the requirements.
Tim James, representative of the California Grocers Association, also spoke during Open Forum Tuesday. He urged the city to keep grocers and retailers in the loop on any potential new regulations.
“I’m sure you will all agree the best policy comes from education, engagement, and ensuring all voices are recognized and heard,” James said. “Grocers need a full seat at the table.”
Contra Costa County is currently in the process of developing a similar ordinance impacting unincorporated areas. Richmond’s ordinance is modeled after a similar ordinance passed in Berkeley.
