We've all been there when you're about to checkout at the grocery store and then you start eyeing all of the chips, candy, soda, and gum all within arms reach. Well, the city of Berkeley is making an effort to make its residents healthier with this brand new initiative. Berkeley is getting ready to become the first city in the U.S. to stop large grocery store chains from selling junk food and candy in checkout aisles. This new rule will affect at least 25 retailers including Whole Foods, CVS, Walgreens, and Safeway. It's expected to go into effect March 2021.
The "Healthy Checkout Ordinance" will require stores over 2,500 square-feet in size to sell at least 25 square-feet of healthy items within a three-foot radius of checkout registers. This means instead of seeing candy and junk food, shoppers will see fresh fruit and whole grain alternatives at checkout counters. Stores will still be able to sell candy and junk food, but it just be at child's eye level in the checkout aisle. The city council will announce final protocols for implementation, education and enforcement next month.
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