Schools are urged to limit junk food

Granite District schools are urged to limit candy as a reward and balance junk food with nutritional drinks and snacks in vending machines under a policy the school board passed this week.

"Acknowledging that the health curriculum promotes healthy nutrition, the Board of Education encourages schools (to) . . . act consistently with the curriculum by supporting healthy nutrition through vending offerings," the new policy states.

But ultimately, vending decisions will be up to local schools.

Granite District junior high and high schools are urged to offer students more water, sports drinks and fruit drinks in beverage vending machines, which dispense Pepsi products under contract. Elementary vending machines, which would be limited to two, could not sell soda pop during school hours. Faculty rooms would be exempt.

Nutrition has become an issue nationwide as childhood obesity rates rise.

The state school board is urging schools to give enough lunch time and seating so kids don't replace meals with machine-bought snacks.

Jordan and Nebo school districts are studying nutrition, an endeavor that could lead to treat restrictions or other rules.

Wasatch School District proposes requiring 70 percent of student vending machine offerings to be water, milk, 100 percent fruit juices and foods of at least minimal nutrition. Teachers would be discouraged from using food as rewards. Vending machines would not be allowed in elementary and middle schools.