Berkeley vs. Big Soda

11/06/2024

With 79% of the vote, Measure Z has passed!

Berkeley voters have once again affirmed our collective journey toward health equity. Berkeley chose to continue having soda distributors pay a tax that makes possible investments in a community led-norms change where our residents' nutrition consciousness is shaped through school and community programming. We are building a culture of health that prioritizes our communities of color and our youth, those most subjected to Big Soda’s predatory marketing practices. Our efforts over the last 10 years have resulted in decreased soda consumption, increased water consumption, and lower population-level BMI, and served as an inspiration for other municipalities to adopt similar measures.

Investments in community organizations like Healthy Black Families Inc., Multicultural Institute, Berkeley Youth Alternatives, LifeLong Medical Care, Ecology Center, and the YMCA of the East Bay have resulted in health-affirming programming, and have increased their capacity to withstand funding insecurities typically experienced by nonprofits. By voting to extend the soda tax indefinitely, we have also shown how to steward a participatory budgeting process that centers equity and racial justice.

The comprehensiveness of Berkeley's approach to use residents' agency and dignity to choose health has also served as a beacon for other initiatives across the country including The Navajo Nation, San Francisco, Oakland, Albany, Boulder, Seattle, and Philadelphia. In response to this ripple of equity, the beverage industry used their economic and political power to get soda distributor tax bans in Michigan, Washington, California, and Arizona. In California they resorted to tactics the Sacramento Bee labeled extortion.

Also this November, the City of Santa Cruz had a 2-cent per ounce tax that appears to be winning. If they are successful, they can become the first charter city with a soda tax and the possibility of challenging statewide preemption. Thank you Santa Cruz for stepping up and good luck!

Thank you to everyone who donated resources and time to help Measure Z get over the finish line!

11/05/2024

Today's the day, Berkeley! Vote Yes on Measure Z!

Thanks to our youngest volunteers for helping spread the word about !

The has funded programs across the city that help raise awareness about the harmful health impacts of sugar-sweetened beverages, especially among children. Voting YES on Measure Z will help keep these important programs going!

(Photo shared with permission from their mom.)

10/31/2024

Thanks to the The Daily Californian for endorsing YES on Measure Z!

The 2024 Elections are just around the corner, and Berkeley’s ballot showcases many notable policy propositions voters should be looking at. After much discussion, here’s what we decided this election

10/22/2024

Thank you to A Rude Awakening on KPFA Radio for hosting Xavier Morales to discuss Measure Z!

In place since 2014, the has exceeded expectations. As a result of the tax, soda consumption and BMIs are down and water consumption is up. The first-of-its-kind tax on soda tax distributors has created a stronger community infrastructure for health, equity, and racial justice. It's imperative to keep this momentum going by voting .

Listen to the episode (Measure Z is discussed starting at 34 minutes):

On today’s show, two Berkeley ballot measures: I’ll speak to Dr. Ashley McClure and Brianna McGuire on Measure GG. We’ll switch gears just a bit and speak to Praxis Project executive director Xavier Morales on Measure Z.

10/08/2024

Thanks to our youngest volunteers for helping spread the word about !

The has funded programs across the city that help raise awareness about the harmful health impacts of sugar-sweetened beverages, especially among children. Voting YES on Measure Z will help keep these important programs going!

(Photo shared with permission from their mom.)

10/07/2024

LifeLong Medical Care opened their first health center in Berkeley in 1976, and has been meeting the needs of patients in the community ever since.

Proceeds from Berkeley's tax on soda distributors provided significant funding for their Heart 2 Heart and oral health programs, which bring critical health services into marginalized communities, while partnering with local organizations to build community agency & empowerment.

This powerful story is made possible by the : https://vimeo.com/707950017

Watch the whole series on Health Investments for Berkeley from The Praxis Project at http://bit.ly/Investments4Health

Lifelong Medical Care's community-centered Heart 2 Heart and Oral Health programs bring critical health services into their communities. Their community health…

10/05/2024

We're staying cool at the downtown Berkeley farmers' market! Stop by and learn about how the Berkeley tax on soda distributors benefits our community and our health.

10/04/2024

The YMCA of the East Bay provides comprehensive early child care and education programs that promote school success and family involvement. Services are available for children from birth to age 5, pregnant women and their families.

Berkeley's tax on soda distributors funded the YMCA East Bay's Early Childhood Impact Program, which serves over 1,200 low-income children. Because of this funding, YMCA was able to contract Aguacate Music Kids to create an early-childhood musical enrichment program called Healthy Me – Saludable Soy, which is now provided in all BUSD TK classrooms, and around the East Bay.

This powerful story is made possible by the : https://vimeo.com/409887877

Watch the whole series on Health Investments for Berkeley from The Praxis Project at http://bit.ly/Investments4Health

The possibilities for improving health justice and equity are vast when there is an authentic partnership and inclusive engagement of community based advocates and…

10/02/2024

Thanks for joining us last night for the screening of Between the Sun and the Sidewalk! We hope this inspiring story got you fired up to continue our fight against Big Soda.✊

Thanks again to Ecology Center for hosting!

10/02/2024

The Ecology Center is a nonprofit organization that focuses on improving the health and the environmental impacts of urban residents. One of their key priorities is equal access to healthy food, and they are working to inspire and build a sustainable, healthy, and just future for the East Bay, California, and beyond.

With funding from the City of Berkeley's tax on soda distributors, they host paid internships for youth cohorts to learn sustainability & food justice leadership and to improve food & beverage culture at Berkeley High School, while empowering young people to counter targeted advertising.

This powerful story is made possible by the : https://vimeo.com/385531696

Watch the whole series on Health Investments for Berkeley from The Praxis Project at http://bit.ly/Investments4Health

The possibilities for improving health justice and equity are vast when there is an authentic partnership and inclusive engagement of community based advocates and…

10/01/2024

The Multicultural Institute hosts programs that increase access to opportunities for immigrant families to reach economic stability. They were selected as one of the recipients of funding generated by Berkeley's tax on soda distributors. They use their funding for after-school mentoring and community outreach to ensure access to nutrition and dental services for program participants.

This powerful story is made possible by the : https://vimeo.com/372676156

Watch the whole series on Health Investments for Berkeley from Praxis Project at http://bit.ly/Investments4Health

The possibilities for improving health justice and equity are vast when there is an authentic partnership and inclusive engagement of community based advocates and…