Advocates of Sugary Drink Tax Legislation Say Enactment Will Combat Record Hunger & Obesity in RI

Advocates of Sugary Drink Tax Legislation Say Enactment Will Combat Record Hunger & Obesity in RI

The facts are damning. Rhode Island ranks 11th in the United States for childhood obesity and the rate of hunger for children in poverty rivals The Great Depression.

While the numbers continue to spiral in Rhode Island, one group believes they have a part of the solution to combat the growing problems. In contrast, Massachusetts ranks 41st for childhood obesity.

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The RI Public Health Institute, in partnership with a coalition of members, on Monday announced the launch of the “Nourish RI” campaign to help push the passage of House Bill 5715 (Sponsored by Representative Jean Philippe Barros) and Senate Bill 327 (Sponsored by Senator Valarie Lawson).

The group says that if passed, these companion bills would create a Retail SNAP Incentive Program that would provide a 50% discount on fresh fruits and vegetables in grocery store settings for Rhode Island families and children who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

The program would be funded by implementing a 1.5 cent per ounce tax on unhealthy sugary drinks, including non-diet soda, sports drinks, fruit drinks with added sugar, and energy drinks.

“Today, one in four Rhode Islanders is going hungry. Thousands of Rhode Island children lack access to nutritious food. Tackling hunger for children has never been more important,” said Dr. Amy Nunn, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Public Health Institute.

“Passing this legislation will provide children and families with better access to fresh fruit and vegetables, while also helping to decrease consumption of unhealthy sugary drinks," she added. "The science and data are clear: these types of programs can reduce hunger and obesity among children and families. RIPHI is pleased to lead the Nourish RI advocacy effort.”

Nunn appeared on GoLocal LIVE on Monday and talked about the impact that sugary drinks coupled with hunger are having on children's health and the long-term cost to taxpayers (WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ABOVE).

According to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, one in four Rhode Island families and thousands of Rhode Island children are hungry. 

“We are excited to sponsor this important legislation and look forward to working with the Nourish RI coalition to help advance it among our colleagues,” said bill sponsors Lawson and Barros. “We have witnessed firsthand how food insecurity and hunger have impacted our constituents, and children in particular. We believe that this legislation will have a tremendous and lasting impact on every community in our state.”

"Establishing the Retail SNAP Incentive Program will also be a win for Rhode Island’s economy by boosting purchasing power for consumers in our grocery stores," says the RI Public Health Institute. "Data from other areas where these programs have been successfully implemented demonstrate that consumers substitute water for sugary drinks. Studies from other cities demonstrate that tax revenue can be successfully re-invested to reduce childhood hunger and obesity, and to improve healthy food access in communities that need it most.

 

According to the coalition, similar programs around the country have had major impacts: 

●      In Philadelphia, the sugary drinks tax has raised over $75 million in revenue and has been used to support thousands of pre-K slots, more than a dozen community schools, and improvements to parks and recreation centers. The city focuses funding in areas lacking childcare options and communities with greater numbers of families with low incomes. These programs have benefited thousands of children of color.

●      In Seattle, the tax was informed by a community-driven campaign and raised over $15 million in revenue that was directed to programs that serve low-income families and children, including SNAP Incentives.

●      San Francisco has raised over $12 million and used the revenue to improve school food, health and recreation programs for families and children. San Francisco also created “Peace Parks” to increase recreation options for teens and young adults who live in neighborhoods impacted by crime.

According to the group, "Sugary drinks are the leading source of added sugars in the American diet and a leading cause of childhood obesity among children. On average, one can of soda contains ten teaspoons of sugar. Excess consumption of added sugars, especially from sugary drinks, raises the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and tooth decay. In cities and countries where sugary drinks taxes have been implemented, scientific studies show consumption of sugary drinks decreases, which leads to better public health outcomes and less costly health care expenses."

The Nourish RI coalition will be working in the coming weeks to reach out to community members and legislators to "inform them of the importance of this legislation."

“Sugary drinks are a major contributor to the increasing rates of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. These diseases set children up for a lifetime of health challenges, have a disproportionate impact on Black and Latinx families, and increase the risk of severe illness from COVID-19. This legislation could help reduce consumption of sugary drinks and put resources into communities hardest hit by sugary drink-related diseases through the Retail SNAP Incentive Program,” said Megan Tucker, Government Relations Director for the American Heart Association. “We thank Senator Lawson, Representative Barros and RIPHI for their leadership – and we hope the General Assembly will act quickly to protect the health of Rhode Islanders and ensure a healthy future for our children.”

“This legislation is long overdue and will benefit the communities and children at highest risk for hunger by offering them better access to fresh fruits and vegetables”, said Mario Bueno, Executive Director of Progreso Latino, Inc., a community based organization serving the Latino and immigrant community. “Obesity particularly affects low income communities and children of color, resulting in serious but preventable chronic health conditions.  This legislation is an important step in lowering the rate of childhood obesity in Rhode Island.”

The Nourish RI coalition today also announced the launch of a new website www.NourishRhodeIsland.org and the start of an advertising campaign set to inform Rhode Islanders about the benefits of this important legislation. The campaign can be followed on Twitter: @NourishRI, Instagram: @Nourish.RI and on Facebook: @NourishRhodeIsland. In addition, those who want to learn more about the benefits of this smart legislation and those who would like to contact their elected officials to express support can do so at www.NourishRhodeIsland.org.