Schools' ban on junk food takes bite out of budgets

[Rose Siding]

....
In the name of better health, school boards in Everett and Seattle this year passed nutrition policies that are being phased in at the high-school level.

All Washington school districts, under a new state law, must review their nutrition and physical-education policies by August.

But Lynnwood students are learning a lesson many other high schools fear: Nutritional virtue can come at a cost — a big cost. In high schools around the state, vending machines and student stores can bring in $20,000 to as much as $60,000 a year, depending on the size of the school. Much of that comes from peddling pop, chips and candy.

Without those items, profits at the Lynnwood High student store are down about 40 percent from last year. That means less money for all kinds of student activities, from athletics to debate club. Student governments typically use profits from vending machines and student stores to pay for buses to take sports teams to "away" games, and officials for those games.
The profits often subsidize the cost of yearbooks, student newspapers and clubs. At Seattle's Rainier Beach High School, the Associated Student Body (ASB) buys breakfast for all students on the days they take the Washington Assessment of Student Learning.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2002101174_junkfood26m.html

[tk2kewl]

1. The real lesson should be...

that the reduced profitability of school stores shows clearly that corporate interests are not concerned with (and sometimes in complete contravention of) society's own best interests.

The bad guys in our world are not the "liberal-elite", morans!

The bad guys are the completely unfettered capitalists!

[hlthe2b]

3. There are options to fill vending machines with healthy choices..

These schools could rent the machines and let school organizations manage filling them--split the profits with school and organizations. Have the clubs research the nutritional options and educate others on them....

Is there no creativity left in schools? Sheesh....

[Rose Siding]

4. They have to keep looking

snip>
Last year, customers jammed the store all lunch period. This year, the initial rush soon dwindles. Most of the pizza bagels get sold, but it's slow going for the fruit leathers, the rice cakes and the PowerBars.

[hlthe2b]

6. I have seen med school and a few hospital vending machines filled

with yogurt, individually wrapped cheeses, fruit (apples, grapes, oranges), health food variety instant soups and entrees for the microwave, fresh health food store type sandwiches, pretzels, single serving turkey or salmon jerkey, fresh sushi entrees, single serving mediterranean salads with humus and pita bread, all kinds of veggie or soy based chips baked, rather than fried, or single serving fruit smoothie/shakes, etc., etc.

The drink machines contain Arizona or other healthy green or black flavored teas (both sugared and nonsweetened), odwalla orange and other juices, odwalla fruit smoothies, bottled water, low sugar flavored waters, etc.

I've even seen special frozen dessert vending machines dispensing single serving frozen yogurt, low carb ice creams, frozen "all fruit" bars.

These things SELL. If they didn't how could you explain the success of whole earth food stores?

[Ima]

11. You have a terrific idea!

Lot's of that stuff is yummy and would sell well.

[Cobalt Violet]

2. If they put beers and joints in the machines they will rake in...

LOts of profit.That doesn't mean it's a good idea.

[tk2kewl]

5. right on /nt

[lolly]

7. Radical Solution

Hey, how about having government fully fund our schools--you know, like they used to back in the good old days--instead of relying on selling crap to students?

[GoddessOfGuinness]

8. If Lynnwood High School made and sold its own trail mix,

A larger percentage of the profits could go to the school. Besides that, I'll bet companies like Stonyfield Farms, Naked Juice Co, and Kashi would be thrilled to help students raise money.

[justgamma]

9. When did they put these machines in schools?

When I went to school in the 60's, no vending machines. We lived.

When my kids were in school in the 80's, pop on special occasions.

Now it seems they all have them. Just wondering about the evolution.

[proud2BlibKansan]

10. It's for the revenue

they bring in. Some companies, like Coco Cola, even pay the schools advertising money for 'displaying' their vending machines.

[AP]

12. Gosh. Time to tax the rich so kids can be healthy & smart.

[struggle4progress]

13. Junk food for schools: another new idea from the Ownership Society!