This year has brought several notable victories to consumers and working families across the country from Cook County, Ill., to Santa Fe, N.M. As we count down the days until 2018, we wanted to take a moment to bring you the best of 2017.

Santa Fe Voters Squash Beverage Tax at the Polls

In May, Santa Fe voters turned out in record numbers to decisively defeat a proposed beverage tax on the ballot by a margin of 58-42 percent. With the rejection of the tax, the people of Santa Fe sent a clear message: there are better ways to fund programs important to the community than an unfair tax that threatens jobs and burdens small local businesses and working-class families the most, not just in Santa Fe but in every community. 

Cook County Commissioners Repeal Beverage Tax

An intense backlash from the public forced Cook County, Ill., commissioners to realize their mistake and repeal the county’s beverage tax just two months after it took effect. A record 90 percent of Cook County residents (home to Chicago) opposed the tax and made their disapproval known to the commissioners. The Cook County victory shows what can be achieved when voters make their voices heard.

Bringing Consumers a Better Way

Our industry has evolved over the last decade to keep up with Americans’ changing tastes and provide beverage options with less sugar and fewer calories. Today 48 percent of all non-alcoholic beverages purchased have no sugar. This year Coca-Cola, Pepsi and Dr Pepper brought you even more great tasting beverages with less sugar and in smaller portion sizes. We believe these combined product and marketing efforts can be more effective at reducing the sugar people consume over the long term - and will bring about lasting change. And as we enter 2018, we’ll keep working at it.

Thanks for following along with us here at Sip and Savor over the course of 2017. We look forward to keeping you up to date on all of the exciting things to come in 2018!