Traditional vending machines in schools are mostly stocked with unhealthy snacks and drinks, with 75% of drinks and 85% of snacks being unhealthful. While vending machines provide convenience and revenue for schools, they can discourage healthy eating habits. Replacing traditional machines with healthy vending options that offer water, juice, milk and nutritious snacks provides the same benefits of convenience and revenue while supporting students' health and development. Healthy vending machines have been successfully implemented in schools in states like Maine and cities like Minneapolis. Choosing healthy options is choosing health for students.
2. 75% of Drinks and 85% of Snacks Unhealthful, Says CSPI the Center for Science in the Public Interest
3. Statistics Vending machines: 21.1% of elementary schools 62.4% of middle schools 85.8% of high schools Healthy status: 98% of school-aged children in the United States do not meet the requirements of the Food Guide Pyramid
4. Schools promote healthy eating to promote good health and ensure adequate nutrition that assist with normal development and academic performance or success. ---- Health People 2010 report Children who are offered nutritious foods and beverages will eat these foods and develop good eating habits. ---- USDA
5. Pros of vending machines Easy access to snacks and drinks Save time Low price Schools earn money
6. Cons of vending machines Unhealthy snacks lead to health concerns
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8. Cons of vending machines Unhealthy snacks lead to health concerns Vending machines discourage healthy eating
9. “It’s hard enough for parents to guide their children’s food choices, but it becomes virtually impossible when public schools are peddling junk food throughout the school day” ------Margo G. Wootan CSPI nutrition policy director
10. Solutions Replace with healthy foods Offer water, 100% juices and milk Offer healthy snacks including granola and cereal bars
16. References CSPI. (2004). School Vending Machines “Dispensing Junk”. Available: http://cspinet.org/new/200405111.html USDA. (2001). Foods Sold in Competition with USDA School Meal Programs. A Report to Congress Pauline A. Vickery. (2010). Healthy People 2010Report. Available: http://www.diet.com/g/healthy-people-2010-report Laura Kann. (2007). Overview and Summary: School Health Policies and Programs Study 2006. Journal of School Health. 77(8), 385-397 Leslie Whittaker. Cons of Vending Machines in Schools. eHow.com. Available: http://www.ehow.com/list_5824462_cons-vending-machines-schools.html Council on clinical affairs. (2009). Policy on Vending Machines in Schools. Oral Health Policies. 32(6), 50-51. CSPI. (2004). Dispensing Junk: How School Vending Undermines Efforts to Feed Children Well. Available: http://cspinet.org/new/pdf/dispensing_junk.pdf
Editor's Notes
A nationwide survey of vending machines in middle schools and high schools finds that 75 percent of the drinks and 85 percent of the snacks sold are of poor nutritional value. The study, of 1,420 vending machines in 251 schools, was organized by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) and conducted by 120 volunteers.