To: Board of Supervisors
From: Anna Roth, Health Services Director
Report Title: Healthy Retail and Options at the Point of Sale
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
ACCEPT a report from Contra Costa Health (CCH) with updates on the retailer surveying, including the store size and the number of employees of the 32 unincorporated retail stores within the county. The report also summarizes its findings of local jurisdictions within the state that have adopted and implemented a healthy retail ordinance and an incentive-based project to provide more nutritious food options in their communities.
DIRECT CCH to develop and establish an 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.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Potential fiscal impact could include re-inspection fees applied by Contra Costa Environmental Health for retailers who violate the ordinance.
BACKGROUND:
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), children's and adults’ consumption of added sugar and sodium has increased the population’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic health conditions. Grocery and convenience stores are the top sources of foods and beverages, with snack high in sodium, saturated fat, and added sugars dominating checkout areas. Changing the retail environment with policies that include more nutritious food and beverage standards at the point of sale can contribute to the overall health and well-being of children and families in Contra Costa County.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
A lack of healthy food options at a retailer checkout can contribute to higher consumption of unhealthy foods and drinks that lead to poor diets, higher rates of obesity, and other health concerns.