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Monday, August 14, 2006
In an attempt to steer children toward sound nutritional practices, the Detroit Board of Education has voted to place massive restrictions on the kinds of beverage and food items sold in vending machines in all of the District’s schools.
Under this new policy, which was adopted at the board’s regular monthly meeting, snack vending machines are banned from all school cafeterias and must be rendered inoperable at lunch time. In addition, snack products offered for sale must meet nutritional standards that include no more than 30 percent calories from fat per serving and no more than 35 percent sugar by weight per serving. Snacks with only marginal nutritional value, such as candy or chewing gum, will also be prohibited for sale in vending machines in all DPS schools. Items such as soda water, jelly, licorice and candy coated popcorn will also be restricted.
The new policy also outlines a long list of items that meet the healthy snack criteria. These items include granola bars, baked chips, cereal bars, vegetables, low-fat yogurt, soy beverages, non-carbonated sports drinks and 100 percent fruit beverages.
Many parents are already hailing this new policy as a progressive move on the part of the District.
“Studies show that more than 30 percent of Americans are overweight,” said William F. Coleman III, superintendent of the Detroit Public Schools. “Studies also show that this problem is particularly acute in urban centers like Detroit, which has consistently been ranked one of the fattest cities in America.
“They may not like it right now but these children will thank us when they become adults. Young people who are overweight or obese are more likely to have problems with diabetes, heart disease, back problems and other debilitating health issues. By enacting this policy, we are planting the seeds for healthy lifestyles and healthy futures. In order to successfully educate a child you have to educate the whole person. Teaching a child proper eating habits is a big part of education.”
About the Detroit Public Schools
The Detroit Public Schools, founded in 1842, is one of the nation’s largest public school systems. Detroit Public Schools is a school district of choice and is open to children who live outside the city. The District offers numerous competitive academic and career technical programs.
Among these world-class programs are the Foreign Language Immersion and Cultural Studies School, Michigan’s only public school of its kind; Davis Aerospace, one of few college prep high schools in the country where students can obtain a pilot’s license; the Detroit School of the Arts, a multiple award winning performing arts high school; and Crockett Technical High School, a digital technology high school.
For more information about the District, visit our website at www.detroitk12.org.
