Students and youth advocates asked the City Council to pursue a healthy checkout ordinance to promote healthier options at store checkout lanes.

Madiha Khan, a freshman at Contra Costa College and member of the Richmond Youth Food Policy Council, told the council her District 1 neighborhood has a 13.3% rate of residents living with diabetes and urged adoption of a policy to make healthier purchases easier. Students from De Anza High School presented survey data they said came from 48 students: they reported frequent purchases at checkout lanes of candy, chips and sugary drinks and that 72.9% of respondents said they regretted purchases from the checkout line. The students said 47.9% would purchase healthier snacks if offered; 60.4% indicated someone in their household has been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure.

Supporters said the policy would be educational as well as regulatory and pointed to community outreach already conducted by the youth council. "By passing this ordinance, we can empower individuals to make better choices and address critical health issues like diabetes," Madiha Khan said.

The California Grocers Association called for direct engagement with impacted retailers. Tim James, speaking on behalf of the association, said the group appreciated early public notice and asked that the city include grocers in further discussions to avoid misinformation and design feasible implementation steps.

Several council members thanked the youth speakers and asked staff to continue analysis and discussion. No final action on an ordinance was taken at the meeting; speakers asked the council to place the item on a future agenda for formal consideration.