FAMILY & HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE
Meeting Date: June 9, 2024
Subject: Healthy Options at Point of Sale
Submitted For: Ori Tzvieli, Interim Health Services Director
Department: Health Services
Referral No: #112
Referral Name: Policy Options for Healthy Options at the Point of Sale (HOPS)
Presenter: Dr. Sefanit Mekuria, Director of Public Health and Kristian Lucas, Director of Environmental Health
Contact: Danielle Fokkema, (925) 207-4635
Referral History:
On May 24, 2022, the Board of Supervisors (BOS) accepted a report from Contra Costa Health (CCH) Nutrition and Physical Activity Project (NPAP) staff and youth from Bay Area Community Resources (BACR) on the potential health benefits of Healthy Options at the Point-of-Sale (HOPS) Ordinance which would require the placement of healthy food options at the point of sale or checkout queues. Staff was directed to conduct additional research on this matter and to present their findings to the Family Human Services (FHS) Committee.
On February 27, 2023, the FHS Committee accepted a report from CCH and BACR regarding healthy food options at the point of sale. The FHS Committee directed staff to solicit feedback from the 32 unincorporated retailers that the proposed ordinance would directly impact and to return to the Board of Supervisors to present the findings.
On May 9, 2023, CCH and BACR staff were scheduled to present survey findings. While the BOS received the report, a presentation was impossible due to a full agenda and the youth’s limited availability. However, it was noted that a significant number of the 32 unincorporated retailers had yet to respond to surveys disseminated to garner their input about the proposed healthy retail option ordinance. The BOS directed CCH NPAP staff to conduct a second survey to ensure that all those potentially affected by the proposed ordinance could learn more about it and ask questions. CCH staff implemented the surveys in August 2023 and held two town hall meetings for retailers in October 2023.
On March 25th, 2024, the FHS Committee accepted a report on the findings from the retail survey conducted by staff and their recommendations for further exploration of potential healthy food options at the point-of-sale ordinance. The FHS Committee directed CCH staff to return to the BOS and include in that presentation a map of the impacted stores and an update on the progress made by local municipalities that have developed and implemented similar policies.
On November 5, 2024, the BOS accepted a staff report and directed CCH staff to work with County Counsel to draft an ordinance on healthy retail at the point of sale in stores greater than 2,000 square feet in unincorporated Contra Costa. The draft will be brought back before the Board of Supervisors for consideration and the nutrition standards for the proposed ordinance are as recommended: foods with five (5) or less grams of added sugar AND 200 mg or less of sodium per serving; gum and mints with no added sugar; beverages with no added sugar and no low- to no-calorie sweeteners.
This report provides an update on activities that have taken place within the past six months since CCH staff received the directive above from the BOS.
Referral Update:
1. ACCEPT a report from Contra Costa Health (CCH) with updates on CCH staff activities since the November 5, 2024, Board of Supervisors meeting.
2. DIRECT CCH to present a draft ordinance that promotes the placement of healthy food options at the point of sale in retail stores greater than 2,000 square feet in unincorporated Contra Costa County at the upcoming June 24, 2025, Board of Supervisors meeting.
Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):
ACCEPT the report from the Health Services Department on Healthy Options at Point of Sale (HOPS) in Contra Costa and DIRECT staff to forward the report to the Board of Supervisors for discussion, as recommended by the Health Services Department.
Fiscal Impact (if any):
There is no fiscal impact.