Board Adopts Strongest‑in‑Nation Vending‑machine Nutrition Rules for City Property; Some Supervisors Oppose Kit‑Kat Ban

The Board of Supervisors on May 10 adopted an ordinance that sets nutrition standards for food and beverages sold in vending machines on city property and issues guidelines for food and drink served at city meetings and events.

Supervisor Mark Farrell introduced the measure, saying the city should prioritize public health and that consistent standards can reduce chronic disease and long‑term health costs. The ordinance applies to contracts or concessions entered, extended or renewed after the ordinance’s effective date; it sets specific nutritional standards for vending items and recommends healthier options for meetings and concessions on city property.

Supporters — including the Department of Public Health and the American Heart Association — told the Board they helped develop the standards and called them among the strongest in the country. Farrell said the standards were designed so current contracts would not be disrupted but future concessions and vending contracts would reflect the new requirements.

Supervisor Aaron Peskin opposed the ordinance on principle and said city employees and visitors should be able to choose what they buy; he specifically asked that the Board exempt City Hall vending machines so he could still obtain candy. The Board rejected that position in a roll call vote: the ordinance passed with 10 ayes and 1 no (Supervisor Peskin).

The ordinance will be enforced through contract terms for new and renewed vending and concession agreements; city departments will be expected to comply when negotiating or renewing vending contracts. The Board’s action follows earlier executive direction from a prior mayoral administration and extends those standards via ordinance.