Current Conditions
Online Poll
Who will win the B-C-S National Championship?

Florida
Oklahoma


Stay Up to Date with WJHG.com














Should Schools Do Away With Vending Machines Filled with Junk Food? Save Email Print
Posted: 10:19 AM Dec 2, 2008
Last Updated: 10:51 AM Dec 2, 2008
Email Address: news@wjhg.com


A | A | A

Watch the In-Studio Interview with Paris and Dr. Jason Newsom.

Topic: "Doing Away with Junk Food in School Vending Machines"

Comment below and tell NewsChannel 7 your thoughts.

More Stories
Enrollment Down at Many Private Schools

Council Passes New Rules for Strip Clubs

Sansom Case Goes To Grand Jury

Bay County Death Row Inmate For 19 Years, Makes Another Appeal

Milton Historic District Fire

Some Panhandle Farmers Are Trying to Revive Satsuma Orange Industry

Laramore Charges Dropped

Local Bank Robber Is Former S.W. Georgia Mayor

Post Your Comments
First Name:
Location:
Enter Comments: characters left
Email (optional):
Email will not be displayed on site. For station contact purpose only.
Read Comments
Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.
Posted by: Luke Location: Covington, Ga. on Dec 5, 2008 at 05:44 AM
I am a vendor and I serve a lot of kids of all ages. I have a variety in my machines of nutri grain, chips, candy, crackers and etc. The kids eat chips but avoid baked chips, they eat candy but avoid Nutri Grain, peanuts, crackers and Nature Valley. People will eat what they like and they will go outside to get it if necessary. The only thing that I have seen work is pricing and complete control of the environment (do not let them off the premises). The parents are the real problem and you are training future parents so if you can instill good habits in the now generation perhaps you can take the weight off the next generation. Advertising is a major problem because they sell everything with thin, muscled gorgeous people. A little truth in advertising that shows the results of over indulgence and a lot of bad choices made by parents and kids would be helpful. Do not ban vending machines just make better choices. http://www.avendorshelper.com

Posted by: Bob Location: Palm City, FL on Dec 4, 2008 at 06:14 PM
There has been much debate regarding Food and Beverage vending machines available to students primarily in Secondary Public Schools. The most important part is what products are being merchandised within the machines on school campus. For School Principals the financial ramification of losing school funding from these machines is more than substantial and will equate to YOUR childs after school activities such as sport and acedemic clubs being eliminated or financially reduced by these same School Principals. Our group has assisted District School Food Authorities in 15 Florida School Districts in transitioning their third party "junk snack & soda" machines into School Food Authority managed and operated "healthy food & beverage" vending outlets in the school place the ENTIRE school day. We promote and encourage REVENUE SHARING between Principals and the District School Food Authority. For more info regarding this topic go to www.vendhealthy.com

Posted by: Joe Location: Florida on Dec 4, 2008 at 03:18 PM
Ask the Dr. if they still have recess/PE at his schools like they used to. Aren't there plenty of convenience stores where the children can buy these products on the way to school? That seems like more risk for accidents, truancy and a black market (just like cigarettes). Who's educating parents/kids about sitting in front of a TV all day instead of exercising? The same parents who stock their pantries with the same so called "junk food". Most importantly, has the Dr. determined how much money the schools earn from vending commissions. In this economy, I don't think the football team's scoreboard will be maintained for free. Sounds like another young liberal's attempt to take away more rights and impose more social regulations. I choose what I want to eat based on my knowledge and needs and I take responsibility for my choices. I'm not obese. Isn't self-control and self-discipline what we should be teaching. Seems like the vending companies are an unfair target. Don't more job losses!

Posted by: stacie Location: panama city on Dec 4, 2008 at 09:53 AM
Please leave them in . The lunch food is nasty(I know first hand). I would rather my daughter eat or drink something out of a vending machine at school than nothing at all . she is thin built anyways,and eats like she is starving when she gets home . she would eat school food if it was tastey . I cook at home healthy good meals every night . Can't the schools do the same . when I was in school there wasn't a problem with obese children and the school lunches was not considerd "healthy" by the school boards .

Posted by: Brian Location: Bay County on Dec 3, 2008 at 07:25 PM
Why can't parents teach their children about eating healthy and not to overindulge. Why punish the people that do have control and good judgement.

Posted by: high school student Location: panama city, FL on Dec 3, 2008 at 08:18 AM
taking out the vending machines may seem like a good idea, but for a studnts it doesnt. Some students MAY buy something everyday but most DONT'T.

Posted by: Dixie Outlaw on Dec 3, 2008 at 05:45 AM
If you take them away, maybe there wont be so many little 'pigs' around!

Posted by: Ricky Location: Panama City Beach on Dec 2, 2008 at 06:07 PM
Since we are the most obese country in the world, All vending machines should be removed from schools. At least this would be a start in the right direction. I believe the bigger problem is the popularity of the fast food places.

Posted by: George Location: Lynn Haven on Dec 2, 2008 at 03:31 PM
I don't think the snack machines should be banned because you're only targeting a select few. A lot of my friends buy drinks, whether they're diet or regular. None of my friends overindulge. Doing this is simply not right. I strongly disagree w/ Dr. Newsom's recommendation.

Posted by: LUCY Location: WORK on Dec 2, 2008 at 11:23 AM
What Dr. Jason should be looking at in addition to vending machines is what the kids eat for breakfast and lunch. Most of the lunches are carb and fat and the supposedly "health choice" is not any better.

Posted by: Andrew Location: Panama City Beach Florida on Dec 2, 2008 at 11:14 AM
The State of Florida should ban vending machines in the public school system. The public school system has the responsibility to provide nutrisus and balanced dietary to every student. The placement of vending machines that provide “candy” and “soft drinks” that are high in sugars and saturated/trans fats negates the quality of life for the students. In the State of Tennessee where I worked for the county school system the state wanted to banned the vending machines due to the health risk associated with them. The products in the vending machines are contributing to health problems with children that are overweight. Diabetes being one of the primary reasons. The second being children with learning disabilities. The sugar content of the products provide an artificial “high” for the children. Children with certain types of learning disabilities are affected by

Be a Citizen Journalist