TITLE
Recommendation to adopt resolution adopting a City of Long Beach Healthy Snack Food and Beverage Policy. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
On April 19, 2011, the City Council requested the creation of a Long Beach Healthy Food, Beverage and Vending Policy that promotes good nutrition and healthy environments within City facilities and at City-sponsored meetings/events. This action was recommended due to the significant health consequences associated with the growing rate of overweight and obese youth and adults in Long Beach. Recent data indicates that 67 percent of adults and 47 percent of youth are overweight or obese.
This action is intended to impact the obesity problem, and for the City to take a leadership role in supporting a healthy Long Beach.
As originally proposed, this policy was to include the following standards:
· 100% of the snacks and beverages sold in vending machines on City property and/or where City programs operate shall meet specified nutrition st~ndards;
· 100% of the beverages and snack foods served at meetings/events led or coordinated by City staff or programs shall meet specified nutrition standards;
· Specified nutrition standards will be based on nationally recognized and accepted guidelines, similar to those used for foods and beverages sold in California schools (SB 12 and SB 965); and
· The standards are to include limits on sugar, fat, sodium and calories for snack foods, as well as the elimination of sugar-sweetened beverages, and limits on artificially sweetened beverages.
Proposed Policy
The attached Resolution conveys the recommendation for the proposed City of Long Beach Healthy Snack Food and Beverage Policy (Policy). The Policy reflects the requested direction of the City Council, with priority focus on the protective measures for youth populations.
The proposed Policy addresses snack foods provided in publicly accessible snack vending machines located throughout the city, and snack foods provided at public meetings ...
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