I was surprised that a blog I follow for healthy kid’s foods wasn’t categorically against vending machines in schools. In her Healthy Food Ideas for Super Healthy Kids, Amy says she doesn’t oppose putting vending machines in schools because we need to teach kids how to resist temptation and make healthy choices. She argues that there will always be unhealthy foods, at work, at the autoshop… and our kids need to know how to stay away from it. We won’t stop obesity by legislating away junk food because it will always be there.
Fortunately, making these choices at school are a long way away for my 6-year old twin boys, because if they had change and there was a vending machine with candy they would so not be making healthy choices. It would be nice if vending machines even had healthy choices, but they generally don’t.
So no vending machines in elementary schools with Dorito happy 6 year-olds. I think we’re all ok with that.
But when do we start trusting kids to make healthy choices? We don’t trust them with the choice to buy cigarettes until they are 18, and alcohol until they are 21.
Now, is junk food analogous to cigarettes and alcohol? Perhaps more the latter, as it’s possible to drink responsibly and sociably, but it’s more likely to be abused by the young which is why we limit their access to it until they are more responsible. Drinking a six-pack is more immediately dangerous than eating a box of Ding Dongs (mmmm…. Ding Dongs), but both present serious health dangers over time.
Yes, our kids need to learn how to make healthy choices, but do they have to have these challenges everywhere, including school? There are plenty of other places where they’ll have to exercise their healthy choice muscles. Unfortunately, many are already addicted to unhealthy choices, as I was.
What’s your take?
Janet Roberts
August 26, 2009 at 8:00 pm
At a lot of schools, the vending machine provides extra income for things the budget doesn’t cover. So, good luck getting the moneymaker out of the school. Maybe the PTO could cover the income lost from taking out the machine, but good luck with that, also.
I agree on no vending machines at the grade school level, but at the middle and high school level I worry about kids who don’t qualify for free meals and don’t have enough for hot lunch. Is a candy bar better than nothing?
Amy
August 26, 2009 at 8:51 pm
Great points you bring up! Certainly some I hadn’t considered. Thanks for showing other sides of the issue.
cathy
August 29, 2009 at 6:57 am
I agree with you totally and completely. I have heard, however, of a few progressive schools keeping the vending machines but stocking them with healthier fast food options – including fruit. I’m sure that they’re not as big a money maker as the junk food machines, but they are vending machines that I could be comfortable with in a school setting. I have to say, I find it completely distasteful and maddening that schools would look to junk food as a money making venture. Budget woes or not, teaching our kids that it’s ok to eat junk is no way to raise money!
Wendy
August 29, 2009 at 4:58 pm
That’s a great idea! Totally agreed. Thanks for the idea! I plan on joining our kids’ PTA this year to ensure we don’t support the school with selling cookie dough or candy.