Berkeley Healthy Checkout

Why Healthy Checkout?

Today’s food landscape plays a huge role in determining what people purchase and consume. Unhealthy food and beverages are promoted and placed repeatedly throughout retail stores. Cheap, ready-to-eat foods high in salt, saturated fat, and added sugars dominate checkout aisles, where shoppers cannot avoid them and where they are more likely to make impulse purchases.  High levels of added sugars contribute to a greater risk of dental cavities, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes, especially among people of color. Currently type 2 diabetes is on the rise across the country; 1 in 2 children of color will be diagnosed in their lifetime. In Berkeley, African American residents are 4 times more likely than White residents to be diagnosed and 14 times more likely to be hospitalized due to diabetes. Healthy Checkout requires stores increases access to healthier options at checkout, supporting the health of the Berkeley community.

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“Many parents of color in Berkeley are worried because they are seeing a rise in diabetes in the community and they fear for their children’s lives. I believe healthy checkout lanes would make a huge difference for Berkeley families, help people gain more confidence shopping; as well as see that their community cares about them and their health.”

Monique B., mother, Berkeley resident, and HOPS advocate