Contra Costa supervisors introduce ordinance to require healthy checkout options at larger stores

The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors on Sept. 16 introduced an ordinance that would require retail stores larger than 2,000 square feet in unincorporated parts of the county to stock healthier foods and beverages in checkout areas. The board voted unanimously to introduce the measure and set Oct. 7 for adoption.

County public health staff said the draft ordinance sets nutrition standards for checkout items and applies to the store area where customers queue and to a three‑foot radius around each point of sale. Under the draft, eligible foods would generally have low added sugar and 200 milligrams or less of sodium per serving; allowed beverages would have no added sugar and no low‑ or no‑calorie sweeteners; sugar‑free gum and mints would be allowed.

The ordinance targets larger stores first: staff said there are 88 food retail outlets in the unincorporated county and 42 markets over 2,000 square feet that would be covered. Expanding the requirement to smaller stores would add roughly 46 more retailers, staff said, and they recommended phasing that later because of limited outreach capacity now. Environmental Health will handle initial outreach and provide technical assistance; the first year will be informational with no penalties, followed by complaint‑based enforcement and reinspection fees for repeat violations.

“By relocating those sugary items to the aisles and placing healthier options near the register, we create a store environment that promotes wellness,” a county public health official told the board. Denise Milosevic, manager of the county Nutrition and Physical Activity program, and Christian Lucas, director of Environmental Health, outlined the operational details and staff‑led outreach plan. Allies from Bay Area Community Resources and youth advocates who led earlier research joined the presentation.

Youth who helped gather local data called the move a long‑term victory. “It took us a while to get here, but it was all worth it at the end,” said D’arra Navarez, a high school HOPS (Healthy Options) youth leader. The Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano supported the proposal as aligned with broader “Food Is Medicine” and prevention goals.

A representative of the California Fuel and Convenience Alliance cautioned county leaders that the ordinance, as drafted, could be difficult for some gas station convenience stores and suggested narrowing the restricted area around registers from three feet to one foot; staff said the 2,000‑square‑foot threshold was chosen to avoid burdening very small retailers and that approximately five gas‑station style convenience stores exceed that threshold.

Board members praised the youth advocates and county staff for extensive outreach. Supervisors said they want to track compliance during the informational year and receive updates, including any implementation obstacles, before enforcement begins.

The ordinance as introduced directs staff to provide outreach to affected retailers, to supply shelf signage and technical assistance, and to return with adoption language on Oct. 7.