HOPS General
What does HOPS stand for?
Healthy Options at Point of Sale
What is the proposed ordinance called for Richmond?
Healthy Retail
What is the proposed ordinance called for Contra Costa?
Healthy Checkout
Has there been a Healthy Retail Ordinance like this in the past?
Berkeley passed the first Healthy Checkout ordinance last year, and we are learning from them. Richmond would be the first Healthy Retail Ordinance in the country to create both nutrition standards at checkout and keep sugary drinks in the drink aisle.
What is HOPS?
HOPS is a youth led health advocacy project aimed at addressing diet related health disparities in our communities by creating more access to healthy foods.
What are the 2 parts to the Richmond ordinance proposal?
1. Nutrition standards at the checkout areas,
2. Keep sugary beverages in the drink aisle
Which parts of Contra Costa County would this Healthy Checkout Ordinance cover?
Unincorporated areas of the county (not cities)
Has there been a Healthy Checkout Ordinance like this before?
We would be the first County in the country to pass this. The City of Berkeley passed the first Healthy Checkout ordinance last year, and we are learning from them. Also, Contra Costa would be the first Healthy Checkout Ordinance in the country to create both nutrition standards and condoms placements at checkout.
Define unanimous support versus anonymous support. And, which one is true and important to highlight in our meetings?
Unanimous support: Everybody we asked expressed their support for Healthy Retail. THIS IS GREAT TO HIGHLIGHT.
Anonymous support: Everybody who supports us wishes to have their identity hidden.
Has there been any press coverage of this?
We are planning on getting coverage in 2022 in Richmond and Contra Costa. In Berkeley, there has been a lot of coverage. One article you can refer to is included in the education packet that will be emailed to you.
What are the two components of this ordinance proposal?
1. Nutrition standards for food and drinks sold at checkout
2. Selling condoms unlocked at checkout
Do you have a template for the Ordinance, or a copy of Berkeley's ordinance?
Yes, we have both. Ingrid will email them to your office with more information.
Are we advocating for obesity prevention? Why or why not?
No. We do not advocate against fat people, instead we advocate to prevent diet related illnesses such as heart disease, cavities, diabetes, etc.
How will you ensure the new, healthy options will be affordable?
Retailers count on customers making impulse purchases at checkout and are skilled at offering low-dollar products to increase last-minute consumer purchases. In order to continue profiting from last minute consumer purchases, merchants will price items at a price point that consumers will purchase.
Why are we including condoms?
While HOPS is primarily a nutrition focused effort, we recognize that nutrition is only one piece of wellness. We work with the County STD/HIV Prevention Program and with stores to create as healthy a retail landscape as possible to promote the many facets of health. Locking up condoms correlates to high rates of STDs as folks are less likely to purchase condoms when they need to ask for assistance, due to stigma.
Do you have the support of other Councilmembers or Supervisors?
Contra Costa: Yes, Supervisor Gioia has expressed his full support as our champion.
Richmond: You are the first Councilmember we have been able to meet with, but we are expecting there will be support from others.
What will be the effect on businesses, especially small businesses? Two parts: Richmond, and Contra Costa
County: HOPS is advocating to include retail stores 2,000 square feet or larger. Additionally, we are gathering retailer input throughout the process.
Richmond: HOPS is advocating to do a phased in approach, focusing on large stores over 4000 sq ft the first year then small stores the second year to help the transition be smooth. Additionally, we are gathering retailer input throughout the process, are suggesting to make homemade foods at checkout exempt, and will support small stores with implementation.
How do we suggest the City should to enforce this?
We are suggesting that the County Environmental Health Division inspect a few products when they do their regular annual inspections of stores.
Aren't condoms locked up because of frequent theft?
Yes, however you will see on the condom fact sheet in the education packet that there was study done where condoms were unlocked and placed on the shelf for three months. While some condoms were stolen, sales outweighed theft across the board. Retailers can increase sales while making condoms more accessible.
Where can I find more information on your research and the ordinance proposal?
Our coordinator, Ingrid, will email you and your office an educational packet with the information shared as well as further details.