Daily News

Jacksonville Daily News/New Bern Sun Journal
By K.J. Williams 
Sun Journal Staff

Sugared soft drinks won’t be for sale in middle school vending machines outside of school cafeterias if a measure approved by the Legislature on Wednesday is signed into law by Gov. Mike Easley.

In addition, by the 2006-07 school year healthier snack options in vending machines would be required as part of the measure to address childhood obesity.

State law already prohibits soft drink sales at elementary schools. A previous ban on their sale during lunch will be expanded to include breakfast at all schools.

The measure only refers to vending machines outside school cafeterias. Within cafeterias, vending machine content is governed by federal child nutrition laws. However, a bill that would place new restrictions on cafeteria fare has been introduced in the General Assembly, said Lynn Hoggard, section chief of Child Nutrition Services for the state’s Department of Public Instruction.

"In order to really help students make the best food choices possible, it is going to require modifications in the school cafeteria as well as all foods available in other parts of the campus," she said.

The legislative change to beverage sales would go into effect for vending contracts approved or renewed after Aug. 1, if Easley signs the bill.

School districts implementing the bill will allow only diet soft drinks at the middle schools. In the high schools, soft drinks can’t comprise more than 50 percent of a vending machine’s beverage choices, and bottled water must be a selection.

When the food changes take effect, three-fourths of the offerings must contain no more than 200 calories apiece if sold from vending machines located outside cafeterias in middle and high schools.

Local school districts welcomed the more healthful standards.

"It will mean some change to the schools, but this change will only enhance the ongoing child obesity efforts of the Craven County Board of Education," said Martha Hardison, director of child nutrition for Craven County Schools.

Lower calorie snacks like baked nacho chips, reduced-fat popcorn and crackers are examples of more healthy snacks now available for students. For the 2005-06 school year, the district also will offer flavored water, she said.

Hardison said the school board will decide on the time frame for instituting the changes.

In Pamlico County, the changes for beverages and food will be implemented this fall, earlier than required.

"In order to make sure that we have healthy, active children, we’ll be implementing the policy at the beginning of the school year," said Hazel Alcock, school district spokeswoman, noting the district is concerned about child obesity.

At Pamlico County’s middle and high schools, no vending machine sales are allowed until after lunch, she said.

The measure, which passed the House by a 99-11 vote, following Senate approval, was sponsored by state Sen. Bill Purcell, D-Scotland. A similar bill was sponsored by state Rep. Verla Insko, D-Orange, who served alongside Purcell on a committee formed by the North Carolina Health and Wellness Trust Fund.

The committee was formed at the request of Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue to make recommendations to address and prevent child obesity, said Mike Arnold, the lieutenant governor’s policy director.

Arnold noted that only a few states have similar legislation, including Arkansas, California, New Jersey and New York.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

K.J. Williams can be reached at kwilliams@freedomenc.com.

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