Take action: Help the CRA stop the Santa Clara County Toy Ban

The Santa Clara Board of Supervisors passed an ordinance that bans most toys and other incentives for children in restaurants in the unincorporated area of the county on April 27. The California Restaurant Association strongly opposed the ordinance, which was authored by Supervisor Ken Yeager. A CRA-commissioned poll of county residents revealed that a strong majority of them were against it, as well. The board acted in total disregard of its constituency, however, passing the measure with a 3-2 vote.

The poll found that 87 percent of residents were against local lawmakers intervening on this issue. Not surprising considering in the last several months the same supervisors have made dramatic cuts to county services to close a mammoth $276 million budget deficit. The board is laying off nurses and slashing funding to the health department, public safety department and social services -- and at the same time trying to convince the world that banning toys in kids' meals is a worthwhile use of taxpayers' time and money.

Yeager has made the media rounds, giving interviews about how much parents need help to say no to their children who only want kids' meals to satisfy their real craving for toys. It's a flawed argument, to say the least, especially considering menu labeling efforts have taken away any lingering mystery about the nutritional content of food served at chain restaurants. Several of the restaurant companies affected have already made changes to their menus, offering healthier selections and revising their marketing strategies to children to reflect the more nutritious options. And 80 percent of Santa Clara residents believe they're better informed about health and nutrition than local lawmakes.

Now surrounding jurisdictions are taking notice, with San Jose, San Francisco and Yolo County all putting a potential toy ban on their agendas for discussion.

The board will take one more vote to finalize the adoption of this ordinance on May 11, and a grassroots effort to convince Supervisor Dave Cortese to change his vote is underway. District 3 residents especially need to call Cortese to voice their disappointment.

How to get involved

Contact the supervisors who voted for the ordinance to let them know you are disappointed with their vote and failure to listen to their constituents:
Dave Cortese (District 3): 408.299.5030, dave.cortese@bos.sccgov.org
Ken Yeager (District 4): 408.299.5040, ken.yeager@bos.sccgov.org
Liz Kniss (District 5): 408.299.5050, liz.kniss@bos.sccgov.org

Contact the following supervisors to say THANK YOU for voting no:
Supervisor Don Gage (District 1): 408.299.5010, don.gage@bos.sccgov.org
Supervisor George Shirakawa (District 2): 408.299.5020, supervisor.shirakawa@bos.sccgov.org

Join our group on Facebook, Toy Ban? Not a fan, to see the latest headlines, as well as participate in discussions on the issue.

Tags: Clara, Santa, ban, children, fast, food, kids', labeling, meals, menu, More…quickservice, toy

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Comment by Michael Biesemeyer on May 10, 2010 at 10:33am: If the toys were paired with meals that contained cage-free turkey and avocado sandwiches, veggies sticks, and organic apple juice, would there still be this push to ban them? The real issue here, the ten ton elephant in the dining room, is that the food that these restaurants serve is inherently unhealthy. Tasty, yes. Fun, you bet. Quick, check.

I don't care how many wind up toys you throw in the bag, it's impossible to serve a $1 hamburger that's nutritionally/environmentally/socially responsible. The fact that kids would be encouraged to associate "good times and smiles" with food that's compromised on so many levels is the real issue here. The toys are just a distraction.

Comment by Doug Golden on May 10, 2010 at 10:06am: Paul,

Though the marketing and product placement to kids is definitely deplorable, the purchase of these products is ultimately up to the parents. I have yet to see 4 year old whip out his debit card to pay for a box of Lucky Charms or Little Debbie cakes at the grocery store.

This seems to be a case of a select few imposing their ideology via legislation on the majority. This is becoming a dangerous and disturbing pattern nationwide, a pattern that is much more dangerous to liberties and choices than shady marketing to kids.

Parents NEED to step up to the plate and learn to say "NO" to their kids on certain choices the kids want. This applies beyond the topic of toys with fast food meals and cereal as well.

Comment by Angelica Pappas on May 6, 2010 at 8:05am: Let's be realistic, Paul. The ordinance in question isn't going to do anything to lessen marketing to children if that is your cause. Instead it will take the choice away from parents who still want it (76 percent do, according to the poll). Logistically, this will put the burden of enforcement on the workers behind the counter who will dole out or withhold toys based on whether children order nutritiously enough. What are they supposed to do if an irate parent demands a toy? Or a crying girl asks for the toy her brother received in his meal? In the end it's all about choice - and whether it's right for three local politicians to make that choice for all Santa Clara County families against their wishes.

Comment by Paul Green on May 5, 2010 at 1:33am: Angelica,

I'm afraid I disagree with you. Marketing to impressionable children, who don't have the ability to make reasoned decisions, is deplorable. Television programs are adept at this practice in commercials and product placement, and grocery shelves place sugary cereals at child eye levels.

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