[vendtalk] L.A.'s 'Healthy' Lunches Flop, Junk Food Make Comeback & Seattle Schools Consider Easing 'Junk Food' Ban Amid Vending Sales Slump

[Vandervoort's]

The following are two interesting stories about healthy food mandates.  
The current status in Seattle is like here, in Abilene, TX.  The schools
have had a huge drop in commissions and a big negative hit to many programs
that the vending commissions funded.  
L.A.'s experience with failed lunch programs is no less than what would be
expected when you tell teenagers what to do.  Junk food is not good but the
government's trying to force people to eat differently usually just hurts
the vendor and nothing much gets accomplished in the long run.  Culture
change is more difficult than putting the burden on the back of vending
companies but it makes the politicians look like they are doing something
positive.
Mike Vandervoort

>From "Ahead of the Times E News"

Story 1 
Issue Date: Vol. 52, No. 1, January 2012, Posted On: 12/28/2011 
L.A.'s 'Healthy' Lunches Flop, Burgers And Pizza Make Comeback

Emily Jed - Emily at vendingtimes.net 

LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Unified School District, one of the largest
districts in the nation, has seen thousands less students participating in
its school lunch program since it revamped its menu with healthier fare this
fall. 
The district removed chocolate and strawberry milk, chicken nuggets,
corndogs, nachos and other food high in fat, sugar and sodium from its menu
and added healthful alternatives like black bean burgers, tostada salad and
vegetarian curries.
Since the change, students have reportedly been throwing away uneaten meals
and bringing their own food to school. Hungry students have complained about
headaches, stomach pains and even anemia, according to an article in the Los
Angeles Times. The new menu has also spawned an underground ring of "junk
food bootlegging," according to the paper.
In response to widespread complaints and dwindling participation, L.A.
Unified foodservice director Dennis Barrett said the district is amending
the menu. Hamburgers will return as a daily menu option and the district
will discontinue some of the more exotic ethnic and vegetarian dishes. Pizza
will also be offered, but with a whole-wheat crust, low-fat cheese and
low-sodium sauce.
The L.A. Unified School District serves some 650,000 meals daily. Its
healthy lunch menus were designed to comply with the federal government's
updated dietary guidelines, which recommend, for instance, that fruits and
vegetables make up half the plate.
The district banned soda in 2004 and more recently banned the sale of "junk
food" during the school day and called for more produce and less salt and
fat to be served.


Story 2
Issue Date: Vol. 52, No. 1, January 2012, Posted On: 12/28/2011 
Seattle Schools Consider Easing 'Junk Food' Ban Amid Vending Sales Slump

Tim Sanford - Editor at vendingtimes.net  
 
SEATTLE -- The Seattle School Board is reexamining its healthy vending
policy in high schools amid complaints from student governments that they've
lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in funding over the past seven years.

Seattle was regarded as one the nation's most progressive school districts
when it enacted the stringent nutritional guidelines in 2004. They limit
vending machine menus to items like milk, fruit juice, baked chips and
granola bars. But amid student complaints, as school districts across the
country and state and federal governments have adopted less restrictive
nutritional policies, Seattle school board members have pledged to explore
revising the ban.

Students are reportedly bypassing school vending machines for nearby
convenience stores where they can buy their favorite snacks and beverages.
And the trend is taking a large bite out of profits for student governments,
which fund athletic programs, clubs and events. In 2001, before the "junk
food" ban was passed, high-school student governments across Seattle made
more than $200,000 from vending revenue. This year, they've made only
$17,000.

Student government leaders say they have been forced to cut back funding for
many activities and cancel others. They presented a proposal to the school
board last month to amend the healthy vending policy. Under the current
rules, aside from water and milk, drinks can be no more than 12 fl.oz. The
new policy would allow drinks up to 20 fl.oz. but would not include soda.

Students are also asking the district to allow items with slightly more fat
content. Currently, foods are only allowed in vending machines if 30% or
less of the calories comes from fat, instead of the 35% state and national
standard.

District officials said they plan to present a proposal to revise the policy
by next spring. The new rules would likely match state and federal
guidelines and take effect next school year. Separately, Washington state's
King County Board of Health in April approved guidelines that encourage
organizations in Seattle and the surrounding region to provide healthier
choices in vending machines.