Beverages in Schools Programs
- Beverages in schools programs are created through contracts between local school
administrators and soft drink vendors. These programs provide funds, in place of
local taxes for special school athletic, artistic, and educational programs
including...computer hardware purchases.
Critics claim that these programs adversely affect student nutrition. We believe these
attacks are unwarranted for several reasons. First, Beverages in Schools Programs make
a wide variety of beverages...diet drinks, fruit juices, water, sports drinks as well
as traditional soft drinks...available to students. Students are free to choose the
beverage that suites their nutritional needs. Second, studies show that poor diet and
dental hygiene cause adolescent weight and dental problems, not soft drink
consumption. Third, current law makes local school administrators responsible for
negotiating the terms and conditions of individual programs. We trust the school
administrators to develop safe programs and we oppose state legislation that would
limit their discretion.
Draft Administrative regulation for vending sales of soft drinks. - Childhood obesity and nutrition is an important problem facing our Commonwealth. Experts believe that childhood obesity should be addressed by promoting healthy lifestyles, including a balanced diet and regular physical activity. The Kentucky Beverage Association agrees.
Everyone shares the responsibility for achieving healthy lifestyles. . .parents, schools and communities. . .all have a role to play in encouraging lifestyle choices that include a balanced and nutritious mix of foods beverages and frequent exercise.
Our industry's products play an important role in the lifestyle choices of young people. That is why we are working to ensure that our products, policies, and programs support efforts of parents and children to adopt healthy lifestyles. Consumers of all ages have long enjoyed the refreshment and taste our products provide. We believe that consumption of our industry's products has a place in healthy lifestyles and that these products are appropriate for young people who are following balanced diets and are physically active.
We are committed to expanding the range of products we offer so consumers are better able to select beverages compatible with their lifestyle choices. We currently offer a wide variety of beverages including bottled water, 100 percent fruit juices, juice drinks, dairy based drinks, sports drinks, teas, and soft drinks.
Having worked with parents, local school officials, and local school districts, we understand that they want the beverage industry to do more to help their children learn to make good lifestyle choices. We understand they want greater control over the nutrition choices of their younger children in the school environment. We understand that they would prefer that certain full calorie beverages not be available to younger children at school, but that older children can have more beverage choices. We have responded by adopting a new policy for the availability of beverages sold through vending machines placed in schools.
Kentucky bottlers support the policy declaration of the American Beverage Association. As the beverage industry continues to develop innovative beverage choices, including low and no calorie products, we will work with our school partners to consider policies that encompass these new beverages.
Kentucky bottlers ask that the Board of Education permit a multi tiered guideline to schools to aid us in providing the positive choices we are offering. We note that the following policy has been adopted by the Kentucky Beverage Association:
