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Worried that local schools are contributing to poor eating habits for students, the Yakima, Wash. school board is considering a ban on all sales of sugary soft drinks and snacks starting this fall, according to Yakima Herald-Republic, based in Yakima, Wash.
The idea comes via separate recommendations by a 20-member community advisory committee and Superintendent Ben Soria, who suggested that the school board ban sweets as part of the district's review of its food and nutrition policy.
Board members, aiming to address nationwide health concerns that link sugary soft drinks with obesity, will make a final decision this summer.
The recommendations set a benchmark for defining healthy foods and beverages based on serving size, fat, sodium and sugar content. But such a change, some fear, would stymie student fund-raising efforts.
Jenny Kinder, who will serve as vice president for the school's associated student body next year, said the ASB receives about $32,000 a year from vending machine sales, through a contract with Pepsi.
Although the policy would allow students and staff to bring soft drinks to school for their own consumption, the district — through vending machines, student stores or school directed fund-raisers — would not provide the beverages. Individual booster clubs and Parent Teacher Associations would still be able to sell soft drinks at concession stands or through their fund-raisers.
The review of the policy in Yakima — and the Toppenish School District, which last month also decided to ban sugary soft drinks — came after a state law passed last year requiring school districts to review nutrition and physical education policies by August.
Soria said regular soft drinks — not diet — will likely be removed from all buildings in the district by the start of school this fall. That includes vending machines in faculty lounges and the central administration building.
Scott Izutsu, assistant superintendent of business support services and committee member for the food and nutrition policy, said the district receives about $45,000 a year in vending machine revenue, which includes snacks, beverages, water, fruit and sport drinks. He is unsure how the decision will affect that revenue.
