TITLE
Recommendation to request a report within 30 days on the City's Healthy Food and Vending Policies.
DISCUSSION
Obesity and overweight are issues that continue to negatively affect the health of Long Beach residents, both children and adults. In Long Beach, nearly two-thirds of adults are overweight or obese. According to the 2013 Community Health Assessment report by the Department of Health and Human Services, of particular concern is the prevalence of overweight and obese youth with approximately a quarter of Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) 5th, 7th and 9th grade students considered obese.
One of the best practices in current obesity prevention efforts is to focus on creating healthier food environments that impact a large population. This includes local government taking a leadership role in adopting policies that support healthier environments for all residents.
In April 2011, the City Council passed a motion to craft healthy food policies focused on foods served at citywide meetings and food/beverage items in vending machines. The two policies that were developed were the Healthy Snack Food and Beverage Policy and the Healthy Beverage Vending Policy. A report is being requested to review the policies, assess their implementation to date, and. evaluate their success.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no significant fiscal impact for the requested report.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
REX RICHARDSON
COUNCILMEMBER, NINTH DISTRICT
DEE ANDREWS
COUNCILMAN, SIXTH DISTRICT