Questions, Answers to the Soft Drink Plan
By Joe Stumpe, The Wichita Eagle, Kan.
May 4–High school students soon will have to wait until after school to buy Coke, Pepsi and other non-diet soft drinks.
The nation’s leading beverage distributors said Wednesday that they would gradually phase out sugared drink sales to most public schools.
Most elementary schools are already soda-free. But under the new deal, beverage companies agreed to sell only water, unsweetened juice and low fat and nonfat milk to elementary and middle schools. Diet sodas and sports drinks will remain in high schools.
The Eagle talked to representatives of four Wichita-area school districts and a local beverage distributor about the change.
QUESTION: How will the move affect area schools?
ANSWER: Officials in the districts contacted by The Eagle downplayed the impact. None allows soft drink sales in elementary schools. Andover and Maize allow limited sales in middle and high schools, while Goddard and Wichita permit them only in high schools.
“We’ve noticed that students are buying more water and healthier beverages anyway,” said Annette Singletary of the Goddard schools.
Vicki Hoffman of the Wichita schools said students asked for more healthy beverage options when the district was putting together the wellness policy it adopted in January.
Q: What policies limiting soft drink sales are now in place in schools that allow them?
A: In Wichita and Goddard high schools, at least half of the beverages and snacks available must be healthy items (based on the number of calories and fat grams). Andover and Maize schools have the same rule and also prohibit sales during lunchtime.
Q: Does the change affect concession stands and vending machines at after-school events?
A: No. The ban applies only to products sold during regular school hours.
Q: Why is the change being made?
A: The self-imposed ban by members of the American Beverage Association is one of a number of efforts in the public and private sectors to combat childhood obesity. It was brokered by a foundation headed by former President Clinton, who has made obesity one of his leading issues.
Q: When will the change take effect?
A: It varies according to school districts and in some cases, individual schools. The beverage association set a goal of removing non-diet soft drinks from three-fourths of the nation’s schools by the 2007-08 school year, and from all schools by the year after that. But some districts and schools have multi-year contracts with vendors that would have to be renegotiated.
Q: Will there be a financial impact on schools?
A: Possibly. Most districts and/or schools receive a percentage of vending machine sales. The impact would depend on whether students buy another beverage when non-diet soft drinks are no longer available. Hoffman said larger schools such as East High “obviously make more money,” which helps fund activities.
“Truly this is going to be newly chartered waters for everybody,” said Jeff Ortmeier, sales manager for Coca-Cola Enterprises in Wichita.
Contributing: Associated Press
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