The Obama administration is considering imposing similar vending machine rules to those in New York State on all the nation’s schools, The New York Times reported. For the full story, click here.
Editor’s Insight: The vending industry needs to take a proactive position with school vending rules. The media is anxious to characterize the food industry as opposing any health restrictions, even if this characterization is not accurate.
The National Automatic Merchandising Association has taken an exemplary role in promoting nutrition with its Fit Pick program. The program offers an excellent guide to government officials.
The government’s biggest school foodservice challenge is to provide sufficient support for nutritional school meals. Food options outside of the cafeteria have an impact on what children consume, but they have a small impact. The food and beverage industry should visibly promote school nutrition. At the same time, the industry should not allow public officials to focus on options outside the cafeteria when the main focus needs to be on what’s served in the cafeteria. 02-21-12 By Elliot Maras
