Author's Note: Although this chat ended you can click to read the April 22, 2016 #FoodFri STORIFY - a curated list of said chat's tweets compiled into a story format, to learn more about the topic, review chat resources and engage with chat panelist(s) and participants.

In 2014, Berkeley passed Measure D, a law to tax sugary drinks, including sodas. Working against a massive ad blitz by the American Beverage Association that totaled $2.4 million, a coalition of organizers and volunteers hit the pavement to galvanize the community. And they did it! Voters voted YES on Berkeley’s Measure D.

Join #FoodFri on Friday, April 22, 2016, at 1p.m. Eastern / 10 a.m. Pacific, to chat with @MomsRising, @MamasConPoder, and @EcologyCenter to discuss what's happened since the nation's first soda tax was passed.

Ecology Center Martin YES on D_MomsRising.org(1).jpg

Ecology Center Executive Director Martin Bourque will discuss Berkeley’s soda tax – the first tax on sugary drinks that voters passed in the US. The Ecology Center just released “Berkeley vs. Big Soda,” a short film that tells the story of how a community came together to improve kids’ health, in spite of the beverage industry spending millions to defeat them. After Berkeley’s win, many other communities are now considering taxing soda as a strategy to stem the diabetes epidemic.

This is a must attend chat! You will be encouraged and inspired by how a community came together to improve kids’ health, in spite of the beverage industry spending millions to defeat them. You will also be encouraged by Berkeley’s win and walk away knowing we can create change as you hear about the many other communities now considering taxing soda as a strategy to stem the diabetes epidemic.

"You know once Goliath has been beaten, others will think maybe we can too."

~ Larry Tramutola

Join us and invite a friend (or two!) by clicking below.

Tweet:Learn more abt the 1st #SodaTax & How Organizers/Volunteers Won at #FoodFri on 4/22 1pmET http://ctt.ec/Xlc73+ @MomsRising @EcologyCenter

To join and follow the conversation on Twitter use the #FoodFri Hashtag in each tweet.

You can also follow the chat on Twubs.com/FoodFri. Twubs allows you to follow MomsRising’s registered hashtags by creating an account. Below I have noted the steps.

1. Create an account using an email or your Twitter account.
2. Enter the desired hashtag, #FoodFri, #WellnessWed or #EcoTipTue, in
   the search box found at the top of the page. Click Enter. A new page
   will open with the desired chat.
3. Find the “Join This Twub” button found on the right-hand side bar and join the group.
4. Adjust the speed of the conversation to your liking. Options are: Fast, Medium, Slow, Slower, or Slowest.
5. Introduce yourself and join the conversation, by entering your
   comment, tips, or questions in the “Tweet to #FoodFri as [YourName] box”
6. Or, respond to a specific tweet by hovering over the right-hand side of the individual’s tweet and selecting one of the icons.

More about our #FoodFri Featured Co-Host(s):

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Founded in 1969, the Ecology Center is a nonprofit organization located in Berkeley, California that focuses on improving the health and the environmental impacts of urban residents. They address critical issues through a model of education, demonstration, replication, and legislation. They envision a world where human activity nurtures the ecosystems that we all depend on — a world of “green” cities; empowered, resilient communities; zero waste and zero toxics; equal access to healthy food; sustainable resource use; and a safe and stable climate.

Read more about the Ecology Center on their website. You can also follow them on Twitter and Facebook.