Arizona’s education chief has initiated a pilot program to put healthier food and drinks in vending machines at eight schools. One group, however, opposes part of the program because it says the policy would regulate things like class pizza parties and campus bake sales.

Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne’s plan to replace sodas with juice and milk and candy with granola bars and pretzels was unanimously approved by the state’s education board Jan. 26.

“Most students are unaware that a 12-ounce can of soda contains up to 10 teaspoons of sugar, Mr. Horne said. “Most students would decline to eat 10 teaspoons of sugar if requested to do so,” he said.

Another part of his plan would require more exercise at schools.

While more than 30 schools applied for the program, the list of potential participants has been narrowed to eight.

The weight and health of students at schools will be monitored during the upcoming fall semester. Results are expected in January 2005 and will be compared to students at schools that aren’t part of the study. The plan could then be used at other schools.

Policy Unneeded, Group Says

One group says the policy takes away local control from the schools. “We believe that this issue can be handled efficiently at the local level just as it is currently. There is not a need for the state to create policy,” said Stephanie Rimmer of Arizona Fitness & Nutrition Coalition. The group, made up of parents, teachers and students, says it backs requiring more fitness programs, but opposes telling schools what each can sell in vending machines and at campus events.

Part of the policy attempts to regulate student parties and bake sales. It reads: “Food and beverages sold or served on school grounds or at school-sponsored events during the normal school day shall meet the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and other nutrition standard guidelines as set forth by the Arizona Department of Education Child Nutrition Programs.”

Ms. Rimmer says parents and administrators, not the state, are competent to decide what is sold and eaten at school. She also said many schools rely on food sales to raise funds for different programs.

“Our concern is that the schools will lose the flexibility to offer the products that sell the best and ensure continued funding for programs. In a district such as Peoria where one high school makes tens of thousands [of dollars] off the school tax credit program and another high school makes little to none because these parents are actually getting refunds, fund-raising and product sales is the equalizer,” Ms. Rimmer told Arizona Capitol Times.

Soda sales are only half the story, Ms. Rimmer said. The policy also would “completely eliminate the ability of sports teams to use candy for fund-raising on campus and for the marketing programs to sell candy in their student stores. It also eliminates the ability of parents to bring any snacks to a school party that have sugar as the first ingredient, like cookies. Any food for class parties is to be purchased through the school food service director.”

The Coalition did push for more school fitness programs. “Until our coalition got involved, the policy did not include a physical activity component nor nutrition education,” she said.

The following schools will participate: Harriet Johnson Primary in Tucson, Stanfield Elementary in Pinal County, Bouse Elementary in La Paz County, Monte Vista Elementary in Phoenix, Madison Park Elementary in Phoenix, Catalina High Magnet in Tucson, Vista Alternative High in Yuma and Mountain Trail Junior High in Paradise Valley.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture awarded the Arizona Department of Education a grant to implement the program, which will begin fall semester of 2004. Results will be available in January 2005. Arizona State University and the University of Arizona will help in the evaluation. —