HOW IT WORKS
For more than a decade, Berkeley’s tax on sugary drink distributors has successfully funded school gardens, nutrition education and community health programs that benefit children and families across our city. Measure AA protects and strengthens that investment for the next generation. Measure AA is not a parcel tax or sales tax, it is a tax levied on Big Soda’s sugary drink distributors with an exemption for Berkeley’s small businesses.
Measure AA strengthens the existing sugary drink tax on distributors by increasing the rate to 2 cents per ounce, ensuring that funding for programs keeps pace with rising costs. Just as important, it guarantees that the revenues are dedicated to school gardens and community health equity programs. Measure AA will:
-
Protect dedicated funding for Berkeley Unified School District nutrition and gardening programs (42.5%)
-
Preserve funding for community-based nutrition education, health services, and improved water access programs (42.5%)
-
Limit administrative overhead while maintaining public oversight and annual reporting (no more than 15%)
-
Ensure funds are used transparently and for their dedicated purpose
Sugary drinks, including soda, energy drinks, sports drinks and other beverages with added sugar, remain the largest source of added sugar in the American diet and contribute to serious health problems, including heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, and tooth decay. Measure AA helps Berkeley continue investing in practical, community-based solutions that protect our kids and prepare them for a healthier future.
Over 100 volunteers from schools and community organizations gathered over 5,000 signatures to place Measure AA on the ballot to directly benefit those impacted most by Big Soda.
Measure AA will update Berkeley’s soda distribution tax from a general to a special tax, support programs that help children and community thrive, and strengthen accountability.
Vote Yes on Measure AA