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No pop in schools?

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By MARGARET REIST / Lincoln Journal Star

Thursday, May 04, 2006 - 10:00:12 am CDT

An agreement between a national health alliance and beverage giants could mean the end of sugar-laden pop in Lincoln Public Schools’ 230 vending machines.

The nation’s largest beverage distributors agreed to stop selling non-diet sodas to most public schools, a move that would be most noticeable in LPS high schools, said Marybell Avery, curriculum specialist for health and physical education.

“I think (there would be) a major effect because (students are) accustomed to having access to sugary drinks, primarily after school,” she said.

Story Photo
A soda machine at Lincoln Southwest High School. (LJS File)

In elementary schools, vending machines are found only in teachers’ lounges. High schools and middle schools have vending machines, although most middle school machines are turned on after school.

It’s too early to say exactly how the agreement will affect offerings in Lincoln’s schools, said LPS Purchasing Director Dwayne Odvody.

The district will have to discuss the agreement with its vendors, he said.

“I think we’re always interested in what’s best for the students,” he said. That includes balancing healthy choices with what students want, he said.

The deal announced Wednesday by the William J. Clinton Foundation involves guidelines agreed upon by Cadbury Schweppes, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo and the American Beverage Association.

The guidelines would limit portion sizes and reduce the number of calories available to children during the school day.

They came as a result of work by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation — a joint initiative of the Clinton Foundation and the American Heart Association.

Avery said the agreement fits with a new wellness policy LPS is drafting. As part of that work, district officials are coming up with a set of “best practices” that includes offering only healthy selections in vending machines.

“This is big news,” she said. “I’m glad the alliance is using its political clout to make some of these things happen.”

Reach Margaret Reist at 473-7226 or mreist@journalstar.com.


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Tif wrote on May 4, 2006 7:54 am:
" I think it's a great idea. I know when I was in high school, we would have a soda in the morning one at lunch and one on the way home. Lunch consisted of either a slice of pizza, a bag of chips and a soda or just a bag or chips and a soda. I think that if my daughter were to have this diet I would be upset "
Larry wrote on May 4, 2006 9:16 am:
" a step in the right direction, good job. to quote Abe Simpson(Homer's dad) 'what are you laughing at fatty? too much pie, that's your problem.' "
the truth wrote on May 4, 2006 10:32 am:
" this will stop kids from drinking soda during school days? no way! besides the fact that candy bars will still be avaliable, have schools thought of the fact that now, kids will just go to gas stations and grocery stores before and after school? or they will just bring their own? just another crybaby democrat thought that bill clinton thinks will make kids slimmer. i'd rather see more p.e or any type of physical activity. at least kids will be out working instead of inside discussing their "feelings" that breaking a sweat might make them gun down a school. "
Sylvia wrote on May 4, 2006 1:19 pm:
" It won't stop kids from drinking soda, but it will challenge the lazy ones in their quest to find soda. Let them bring their own, warm pop to school. The more soda these kids drink, the more my health insurance premiums go up. The more my health insurance premiums go up, the more socialized health care looks like the better deal. We can start publicly criticizing people for living unhealthy lifestyles, and for developing type II diabetes for having a bad diet. I'm already paying for it. Hopefully this will lead to healthy Americans kicking ConAgra and other high-volume sugar dealers in the pants for proliferating their evil high-fructose corn syrup. "
Sue F. wrote on May 4, 2006 1:30 pm:
" Although I believe that too much sugar is bad for everyone. I am more concerned with the chemicals in the diet soda than the sugar. "
Amanda Walker wrote on May 4, 2006 7:36 pm:
" "Kids will never stop drinking soda. They can just as easliy purchase this at a nearby convience store before or after school or even some during their lunch breaks. The school systems might as well continue to make money from the vending currently within the schools. "
Amy wrote on May 4, 2006 8:25 pm:
" What a wonderful proposition! Obesity is taking over the nation, and this is definitely a step in the right direction. Sure, kids may go to gas stations, etc. to get their "pop fix" but at least public tax dollars are not supporting the canned sugar--one of the prime factors in today's overweight population. "
T4acres wrote on May 4, 2006 9:16 pm:
" Way back 30 years ago when I was in school, there was no pop or candy available in school, just milk and juice and ice cream. Heck, no one ever even thought about drinking a pop (they only call it soda much east of here) in the morning. And only an idiot would pay for water. Or pay more for a cup of coffee than for a combo meal (I don't think they had value meals then). These darn kids don't need diet pop either. Or sports drinks loaded with carbs and caffeine. Restrict them to only milk, juice or plain-labeled bottled water - no designer brands are necessary. This will help to remind them that their seven hour incarceration should not be confused with a Saturday night party. They are called children and not adults for a reason. In a few short years they can call themselves "grown-ups" and they eat and drink all of the garbage they want and I certainly won't care. I feel like I'm 48 going on 80. Darn kids, anyway. "

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