Do you think sodas/vending machines should be banned from schools? - Page 2

[applejuice]

Vending machines were unheard of in public schools until the late 1970's when Proposition 13 and laws of that ilk were passed; at that point, schools needed to look for better ways of raising revenue, and the cola machines were brought in.

So were KFC, McDonald's and Taco Bell brought in to replace the school cafeteria.

[Greaseball]

When dh was in high school he said there was this old wooden vending machine that sold apples! The apple would make this zigzag journey on a conveyor belt. He said it was really neat!

I also remember high school vending machines that sold yogurt, fruit and sandwiches. Not completely healthy or natural - added sweeteners, white bread - but still better than sodas.

My HS did not have a taco bell or mcdonald's either. They had a store full of candy and pastries, but no corporate fast food logos.

Another thing about the machines...they make kids late to class. I don't think most kids will restrict their time to lunch only, and in between classes there are long lines.

[miriam]

YES!

With diabetes and obesity on the rise, we are killing our children already!

Why make it any easier?

[hahamommy]

I voted Yes, not based on any issue already mentioned, but because it is incredibly hypocritical to be a *Drug Free* school and allow caffiene to be sold ~ as if it's *not* a drug... blech!

~diana

[mommy22]

I don't have a problem with this. If I don't want my children to have soft drinks at school, then they wouldn't. I do allow my children to have soft drinks, but they are always caffein free. Never-the-less, if we say that the use of soda machines contribute to obesity and that the caffein is like a drug, we would end up having to fight about every other little thing.

Carbohydrates are sugar and produce a high, but we don't complain about giving our children sandwiches in the lunches provided by the school. Nor have the schools had to fight to continue to provide dessert with their lunch. What about providing Gatorade for sports activities. That's pure sugar.

Should we keep glue out of the classroom in fear that our kids may sniff it?

If the public needs to feel useful, they should take up issue with school reform, the budget, what our kids are learning and who's teaching them. I could name a hundred other things that are more important in our childrens' schools than wether or not they have access to soda machines.

[treehuginhippie]

I teach 2nd grade in a very poor area. We have the machines. Let me just say it is next to impossible to teach 23 7 year olds, or better yet, have them learn through experiments and independent learning centers, when they are hyped up on suger, artificaial colors, and other CRAP that is being forced on them in the cafeteria. One of my boys this year was obese. I cannot tell you the number of times he had diarrhea or vomited after lunch due to what he ate. His mom had no clue what he was getting in the lunchroom. SHe thought since it was a "school lunch" it must be healthy. WRONG! One day he decided to use his money for 2 candy bars, 4 bags of chips, and the usual lunch. He pooped all over himself 20 minutes later at recess. Most of the kids in my school do not have the benefit of a parent helping them realize that the food sold in vending machines is crap. They see the pretty packages and taste the sugariness and want more. If kids are coming to school to LEARN, then vending machines have no place.

[Odessa15]

Personally, I believe we need to overhaul the way schools are feeding our children. I don't remember too many nutritionally sound choices at school. Look how there are now "USDA Organic" labels. I hope changes like this will be coming to public schools as well. It's very sad that public schools need to depend on corporate sponsors for funds. :