Junk foods in schools–still there
September 2, 2008
Every now and then the CDC surveys the use of “competitive” (translation: junk) foods in public schools. The latest survey reports little change from 2004. About 80% of public schools let kids buy snacks or sodas during school hours, although what those items are varies widely. About 70% of schools sell sports drinks but only about 30% sell fruits and vegetables. Kids can buy bottled water in about 80% of public schools, which makes me wonder whatever happened to free water from drinking fountains. I’ve been in schools that do not sell competitive foods at all. Something to consider?
My child just graduated from a high school that sells “competitive” food. The school is also surrounded by fast food restaurants. When the occasional parent get fired up and ask administrators to change this policy, the school defend its decision by saying that’s just what kids want. I couldn’t disagree more. On the other side of town, there’s another school that doesn’t allow it. The school that doesn’t allow it is a K-8 public school. I picked up a friend’s son there last year from his after school program. The kids were eating their afternoon snack when I got there which was African Peanut Soup. The kids were lapping it down and asking for seconds. While I was there, I got roped into volunteering at the fall fair and had the opportunity to facilitate the cake walk. Even though home-made food is strictly prohibited in our public schools, these parents bring it anyway. I had to assume the administration turns the other cheek. The options were whole wheat, walnut carrot cake, granola bars, whole wheat, oatmeal, raisin cookies, etc. Healthy Food. What I saw was kids jumping at the opportunity to eat African Peanut Soup and home-made carrot cake. I don’t buy the argument that “that’s just what kids want.”
Comment by Kami Gray — September 4, 2008 @ 4:12 pm
[…] Food Still Available in Schools Marion Nestle contemplates the recent CDC report showing that, despite the childhood obesity epidemic, about 80% of public schools still sell […]
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[…] Marion Nestle contemplates the recent CDC report showing that, despite the childhood obesity epidemic, about 80% of public schools still sell snacks or sodas to kids during school hours. […]
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