Berkeley and San Francisco Take their Shot at Soda Taxes

With their curbside composting programs, abundant community gardens, restaurants boasting sustainable cuisine, and neighborhoods like the Gourmet Ghetto teaming with organic food markets, there are few U.S. cities more preoccupied with liberal politics and food and drink than than Berkeley and San Francisco, Calif.. So, if there's anywhere in America that has a chance at passing soda taxes, it is those two Bay Area towns.

On Nov. 4, voters in Berkeley and San Francisco will decide whether to impose the kinds of taxes that have failed in more than 30 municipalities across the country. In Berkeley, Measure D would impose a penny-per-ounce tax on sodas and other sugar-sweetened drinks. San Francisco's ballot measure E would levy a two-cent-per-ounce on the sugary drinks. Diet drinks would be exempt.