Nutrition: School Wellness
Vending
The Center for Science in the Public Interest conducted a study of 1,420 vending machines in 251 schools across 24 states. They discovered that the vending machine options were similar across all states.
Here are some of their findings:
70 % of the beverages were sweetened with sugar (soda, juice drinks, ice tea, and sports drinks)
86% of the soda slots were regular sugar-sweetened drinks while 14% were diet 5% of beverages were milk and of that 57% was whole or 2%
The most common snack items were candy (42%), chips (25%), and sweetened baked goods (13%)
Less than 1% of the slots contained a fruit or vegetable
Less than 7% of the slots contained real fruit juice
School environments can reinforce nutrition education messages by limiting access to high energy-dense snack foods and sugar sweetened beverages.
For more information:
- Healthy School Food – Elkhart Childhood Obesity Initiative, suggestions for beverages, vending, concessions, ala carte, fundraisers, and rewards
http://elkhart.k12.in.us/2_parents/downloads/foodbrochureEnglish.pdf
- Wisconsin Action for Healthy Kids – Guide to Healthy school Stores and Vending Machines http://dpi.wi.gov/fscp/pdf/neschvend.pdf
What's New
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Great Trays Skills for Excellence (PDF 968 KB/21 pgs) A new tool for school nutrition professionals in Minnesota that helps to inventory workforce skills and identify existing curriculums for continuing staff education.
- Health In My Hometown
MDH and thirteen communities gave cameras to youth to document what helps them or holds them back from being healthy.
