From Deseret News archives:
Junk food ban in school vending machines bites the dust
A State Board of Education committee tried to resurrect a proposed ban on junk food in vending machines, in the name of not adding to a childhood obesity problem. "If the local boards would have wanted to have a policy, they'd have one. They've known about obesity ... it (makes) me sick that we are contributing to it," board member Denis Morrill said.
But the full board wouldn't bite — into "local control," that is.
Board member Dixie Allen called the ban a "slap in the face" to local school districts that already have health policies as directed by the federal government. Board member Teresa Theurer said she fully supports a ban, but she's been elected to vote the will of her constituents. And six of seven school districts in her northern Utah area, she said, don't want the ban.
Those who think differently certainly are free to act, board members said.
"Parents, if this is what you want to have in your high school, you have a process ... go to work," said board member Debra Roberts. "Let's put that responsibility on our local people."
In the end, just four members of a 15-member board supported a ban.
So school districts now just have to come up with policies on vending machine and other fare that doesn't come through the school lunch program and submit them to the state school board in January 2009.
The State Board of Education for months has pondered whether schools should allow the sale of foods of minimal nutritional value to children at any point during the school day.
Philosophically, they wondered, should schools that teach health and nutrition turn around and sell kids foods that can lead to obesity, one of the most pressing health issues facing this country?
Then again, vending machine sales bring in about $3.75 million a year for student programs, primarily in middle and high schools.
But that question was part of, but not central to, debates. Rather, questions of who should make decisions on food sales were. Such as, shouldn't schools allow teenagers choices and personal responsibility for them? And are schools, or individuals and families, the ones who should be responsible for tackling obesity?
"Obesity is a serious issue, but I personally don't think this is going to have that significant an impact on it," board member Mark Cluff said. "Individuals need to learn how to control their lives, and if you don't have the choices, you're not learning control."
Board member Greg Haws last month praised drink companies — whose executives lobbied the board — and their corporate responsibility for phasing out sugary drinks in favor of diet sodas and waters. He wanted to see how their efforts might pan out.
Theurer and board member Bill Colbert, however, also said they want to see how school districts respond to the board's rule, which indicates how districts might implement a ban, if they so choose. They indicated that if policies don't move in a healthier direction, perhaps the board should reopen the matter.
E-mail: jtcook@desnews.com
