Berkeley voters to consider measure strengthening community health investments

BERKELEY, Calif., July 14, 2026 — This November, Berkeley voters will have the opportunity to build on the city’s longstanding commitment to community health by considering a measure that strengthens and stabilizes funding for local school programs, including school gardens, clean water access and community-based organizations addressing local health needs. The measure is supported by the American Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone everywhere.

Sugary drinks are widely available and heavily marketed, especially to children. Because they are inexpensive and easy to access, they contribute to higher sugar consumption and increased health risks over time, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes and other chronic conditions.

Berkeley was one of the first cities in the nation to pass a sugary drink tax, with strong voter support in 2014 and again in a 2024, permanently extending the tax.

Since its adoption, the tax has generated approximately $12 million to support community health programs across Berkeley, with nearly half of that going to Berkeley Unified School District’s cooking and gardening program, reaching more than 40,000 students and parents across 18 school gardens. (Changing Culture & Building Power: Evaluating a Decade of Berkeley’s Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Tax.)

These policies work because they help reshape local environments. When sugary drinks are consumed less often and communities have more resources to invest in health, it becomes easier for families to access healthier options and build lasting habits.

Research evaluating Berkeley’s policy has found measurable health improvements. For example:

• Berkeley youth had an overall 3.55 percentage points lower average BMI percentile after tax approval. (Young DR, Hedderson MM, Sidell MA, et al. City-Level Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Taxes and Youth Body Mass Index Percentile. JAMA Netw Open. 2024) 

“For years, Berkeley has shown that when communities come together, they can create real opportunities for better health,” said Liza Mudd, executive director for the American Heart Association Bay Area. “At its core, this measure is about ensuring every child in Berkeley has a fair chance to grow up healthy.”

The November measure would take the next step by strengthening the policy and ensuring the revenue generated is permanently dedicated to community health investments.

The measure would allocate funding in ways designed to support everyday health where people live, learn and work. To support and sustain these investments, the measure would update the tax from 1-cent to 2-cents per ounce, ensuring the policy generates sufficient, stable funding to sustain and expand community programs over time.

The measure also clearly specifies how funds must be used. The tax continues to apply to beverage distributors to fund community health investments.

• Allocate 42.5% of revenue to Berkeley USD programs including nutrition education and school gardens
• Invest 42.5% in community-based organizations addressing local health needs
• Direct 15% to the City of Berkeley to administer and implement the tax effectively

Revenue from Berkeley’s sugary drink tax has already made a tangible difference across the community. These investments have helped:

• Sustain school garden programs where students learn how to grow and prepare healthy foods
• Support local organizations that operate farmers markets and connect residents to fresh, affordable produce
• Expand access to clean drinking water through hydration stations
• Fund community-driven health programs, including efforts led by organizations like Healthy Black Families

These outcomes show how public policy translates into everyday improvements for Berkeley families, helping make healthier options more accessible for everyone.

The measure qualified for the November ballot through a grassroots, volunteer-driven effort that gathered more than 5,000 signatures, demonstrating strong local support for continuing and strengthening this work.

If approved by voters, the measure would position Berkeley as a continued leader in community-driven health solutions, showing how local action can create lasting improvements in opportunity and well-being.

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About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1. In California find us on X or in Northern California on Facebook and Instagram. 

For Media Inquiries:

Nerissa Itchon, Nerissa.Itchon@heart.org 

For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721) 

heart.org and stroke.org