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State Restricts Soda at School

Posted on: Wednesday, 13 July 2005, 12:01 CDT

Jul. 13--A plan approved Tuesday by the state Board of Education that will ban carbonated drinks from vending machines in elementary schools and limit them in middle and high schools received high praise from some educators and parents but left others wondering how it will impact their schools.

The state board's move to ban carbonated drinks is part of a get-fit plan for public schools designed to address a growing problem with obesity and diabetes in students.

Under the plan, vending machines in middle schools must limit carbonated drinks, such as Coke, Pepsi and Dr. Pepper, to no more than 30 percent of the selections, and half of those must be diet versions. In high schools, up to 50 percent of the drink selections can be carbonated drinks, but half of those must be diet versions.

Lewis Washington, principal at Sidney Lanier High School in Montgomery, said he applauds the state board for its move, but said he worries about the loss of money from the vending machines. Lanier has four carbonated drink vending machines and two fruit juice vending machines, he said.

"From a health standpoint, I think it's great and I know that all the research will back up what is being done," he said. "From a financial standpoint, I am worried about the decrease in money that we will likely get from the vending machines as a result of the plan."

In addition to getting commissions from the machines, Washington said he is concerned about the financial partnership with the school's vending machine company, Buffalo Rock.

"They pump close to $10,000 a year into the school by helping us with banners, awards banquets and donations," Washington said. "I worry that we may lose their support because we won't be making as much money with the sale of the healthier items."

Washington said he isn't against switching to healthier choices.

"I just hope that there will be some sort of replacement for the funding we are going to lose," he said. "We have a hard enough time getting local money. This could really affect our school."

Stefanie Hicks, a parent and Pine Level resident, is against the ban. She has two kids at Pine Level Elementary School, and she feels they should be allowed to drink carbonated drinks. Elementary schools in Autauga County do not have soft drink vending machines.

"It's bad enough they took sodas away," she said. "If they have caffine-free or diet soda, I don't see what the problem is. I think they should do half and half."

The get-fit plan also will phase out school cafeteria foods high in fat and sugar, with healthier choices available by the start of the 2006-2007 school year. It also bans the use of child nutrition program funds to buy fryers for school cafeterias.

State Superintendent of Education Joe Morton called the plan "a bold step to transform student health and ultimately public health for decades to come."

State Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks, who wanted a total ban, said the board gave in to the soft drink industry.

"It's the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen when we had an opportunity to do something great for the children of Alabama," Sparks said.

Oakley Melton, attorney for the Alabama Soft Drink Association, said carbonated beverages are not to blame for obesity problems in students. It's a lack of exercise and not eating a balanced diet, he said.

By Antoinette Konz and Erin Elaine Mosely. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Source: Montgomery Advertiser

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