Portsmouth Schools Gradually Will Trim Soda Sales, Snack Calories
Posted on: Friday, 19 May 2006, 12:10 CDT
By Deirdre Fernandes, The Virginian-Pilot, Norfolk, Va.
May 19--PORTSMOUTH -- Think of it as a diet in small doses.
The Portsmouth School Board unanimously approved Thursday night a policy that attempts to wean students off certain unhealthy foods and administrators off the money they bring in.
During the next three years, the school division will reduce the calories on snacks sold in school and eliminate the sale of soft drinks in vending machines.
By 2008-09, all snacks sold on campus will have no more than 300 calories, meaning students will have to say goodbye to the high-calorie honey bun.
Parents who bring food for parties will have to stick to the same caloric and fat requirements, said Fran Gray, the division's supervisor of health services .
Sodas will be moved to the bottom of vending machines during the 2006- 07 school calendar and reduced to just a quarter of the items sold the year after. By 2008- 09 students will be able to buy only fruit juices, water, sports drinks, diet sodas and milk from the machines.
The committee decided to phase in the plan to give principals time to adjust to any loss of money from vending machine sales, which can help schools buy extra materials, Gray said.
The federal government requires all divisions to establish a wellness policy by the beginning of the next school year to combat childhood obesity.
Earlier this month, Coca-Cola, Pepsi and Schweppes announced that they will only sell beverages with 100 calories or less in schools by 2009- 10.
Despite the national interest , some South Hampton Roads school divisions are treading carefully .
Chesapeake's two-page policy is more general, requiring that students have physical activity regularly and food programs follow federal, state and local guidelines.
Suffolk's calorie and fat targets for soda and snacks are similar to Portsmouth's, but the school division plans to accomplish them next year.
Kathy Hood, a parent on Portsmouth's nutrition committee, said she supports most of the policy but would have liked to see the division offer more healthful options in the cafeteria.
The school lunch menu includes items such as corn dog nuggets and pizza pockets, instead of more salads and vegetables cooked in less fat, Hood said.
The division's policy also skirts the issue of school fundraisers, such as Krispy Kreme doughnut sales. According to the policy, "fundraising activities should try to involve food products that meet nutritional guidelines," and students are encouraged to sponsor dance-a-thons instead of doughnut sales to raise money. T he committee decided against making it a requirement because of opposition from parents and students, Gray said.
The fundraisers allow cheerleaders to go on trips and PTAs to buy playground equipment for schools.
* Reach Deirdre Fernandes at (757) 222-5121 or deirdre.fernandes@pilotonline.com.
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Copyright (c) 2006, The Virginian-Pilot, Norfolk, Va.
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Source: The Virginian-Pilot
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