San Francisco Parents

The San Francisco Parent Political Action Committee (SF Parent PAC) is pleased to announce that last night, February 26, 2014, the San Francisco Democratic Party overwhelmingly passed a Resolution calling on the Board of Supervisors to place The Soda Tax on the Nov 2014 ballot. The vote was 19-2 in favor of the Resolution. For more information you can contact the San Francisco Democratic Party at info@sfdemocrats.org

In other Soda Tax news, today, Parents For Public School in San Francisco (PPSSF) http://www.ppssf.org/ announced its endorsement of the Soda Tax.

The SF Parent PAC welcomes both organizations to a growing grassroots coalition of supporters who are prioritizing the health of San Francisco’s children.

You can read PPSSF’s press release below.

SF Parent PAC Steering Committee

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PARENTS FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF SAN FRANCISCO SUPPORTS TAX ON SUGARY BEVERAGES 
Funds to support recreation and nutrition programs in schools and the broader community.

San Francisco, California – On February 24, 2014, the Board of Directors of Parents for Public Schools of San Francisco (PPS-SF) unanimously voted in favor of supporting a two cent per ounce tax on sugary beverages sold in San Francisco. The group touted the financial windfall – estimated to be approximately $31M annually – to schools and city agencies to support health and wellness as its primary reason for supporting the initiative.

“At PPS-SF, we talk with parents every day,” said Board President Matt Kelemen. “They know, and we know, that good health and success in school are deeply connected. Any chance we can take to promote good health for kids – and generate much-needed revenue for our public schools at the same time – is a step in the right direction.”

A Harvard School of Public Health report showed that one out of three children in the United States is overweight or obese. Furthermore, a study by G. A. Bray and B.M. Popkin in Pediatric Obesity revealed that consumption of calorie-sweetened beverages has continued to increase and may play a role in the obesity epidemic, metabolic syndrome and fatty liver disease, whereas reducing intake of soft drinks is associated with less weight gain and metabolic improvement.

According to research published by Halfon, DuPlessis, and Inkelas in 2007, disease prevention and health promotion affect the trajectory of children’s development, including reducing risk factors and strengthening protective ones.

“We are eager to see financial support – coupled with a coordinated, cross-departmental implementation strategy across our city and school district offices – to enrich children and families’ understanding of the physical and emotional benefits of adopting a healthy diet and regular exercise regime,” said PPS-SF’s Executive Director, Masharika Prejean Maddison. “It is imperative that our children are afforded the opportunity to learn how to effectively nourish their bodies to promote long, healthy, and prosperous lives.”

About Parents for Public Schools of San Francisco

The mission of PPS-SF is to support student success by developing effective school-parent partnerships, strong parent relationships, and broad community support for public education.

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