Washington State Bill Seeks to
Counteract Junk Food in School Vending Machines

ALLISON PERYEA / Seattle Times 26jan04

OLYMPIA — The state House is considering a bill that would push Washington schools to restrict junk food in school vending machines, or at least offer healthful foods alongside sugary sodas and candy bars.

The bill proposes that a model nutrition policy be developed as a guideline for individual school districts by state schools Superintendent Terry Bergeson's office, the Washington State School Directors' Association and the state Board of Health.

School boards could use the recommendations when creating their own policies.

"Children walk the hallways of their schools, offered only fats and sweets from the top of the food pyramid," said Donna Oberg, a nutrition consultant for Public Health — Seattle & King County. "The items available are not reflecting what the kids are learning about health in their courses."

Though federal law requires that school lunches meet specific dietary standards, few regulations govern snacks and drinks sold outside meal programs.

State Rep. Eileen Cody, D-Seattle, a registered nurse and co-sponsor of the bill, tried to call attention to the matter last year. She said she encountered resistance from vending-machine and soft-drink lobbyists, and the bill died in committee.

Potential provisions include lowering the prices of the healthier options to encourage their purchase.

"The idea is not to restrict choice, but to make healthy choices easier to make," said Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, D-Seattle, who sponsored a similar bill in the Senate last session.

Jordan Causey, a junior at Olympia High School who works at the school store, thinks students will stick with junk food even if offered alternatives.

"We have tried to carry more healthy stuff, but kids don't buy it," said Causey, who leaned over a counter flanked by two large soft-drink displays and an impressive candy selection. She said cookies are a best-selling item at the store.

Cody intends to schedule a hearing on her legislation within the next two weeks.

The Washington Association of School Administrators supports the concept, as long as there is some local control, said Barbara Mertens, assistant executive director. The Washington State PTA is also a supporter.

Many school districts in Washington profit from exclusive vending contracts with beverage and snack suppliers. In July, the Seattle School Board signed such an agreement with Coca-Cola that is expected to generate about $345,000 for middle- and high-school academic and after-school activities during each of the next five years.

A compromise might involve preserving such contracts but requiring the companies to stock machines with more nutritious fare alongside the junk food.

"The industry is working to provide options for those districts who want healthy options," said Brad Boswell, spokesman for the Northwest Automatic Vending Machine Association, "But it takes time for us to develop those products."

Los Angeles and New York City — the two largest school districts in the nation — have banned the sale of soft drinks on school campuses. The American Academy of Pediatrics and other health organizations have affirmed such decisions, noting a strong correlation between soft-drink consumption and childhood obesity.

Many schools where healthful foods and beverages have replaced sugar-laden drinks and snacks are recording boosted revenues.

"Kids are making healthier choices when they are offered such alternatives," Oberg said.

source:  26jan04