The School Beverage Guidelines set in 2006 says the “beverage industry is to provide lower-calorie and smaller portion options in schools, including the removal of full-calorie soft drinks, all by the 2009-2010 school year.”   How are they doing?  Since 2004 the schools show that beverage calories shipped to them have decreased by 58 percent and 79 percent of schools with beverage contracts are in compliance.  This is a step in the right direction but there are two major flaws. Lower calories from companies such as Coca Cola usually means sugar-free artificially added sweeteners, not good.  Plus, smaller prices usually do not follow smaller portions.  In addition to sodas, juices are a target for reduced drinks, and rightfully so.  The sugar-added ones can have over 300 calories in a container fitting vending machines.  These sugar added juices comprise 39 percent of vending machine beverages sold. The number one sold snack is chips -  no surpise there.

Pssst.  Want to know who is connected to the School Beverage Guidelines?  The Alliance for a Healthier Generation, American Beverage Association, The Coca Cola Company, Dr. Pepper Snapple Group and Pepsico.  Lots of independent thinking there.

We have a long way to go to change the vending machine culture.  All of those reading this blog should know that there are vending machine companies offering natural healthier drinks and snacks. Tell your schools to write contracts with them.  

Source: Sarah Hills, “Pressure to cut calaories from school vending machines”, www.foodnavigator-usa.com, 10/6/2008.