New Vendors At NYC Schools Must Cut Kids' Calories

New York City schoolchildren had better develop a taste for apple juice; the Department of Education has just set strict guidelines for drinks and snacks sold in schools. Starting next fall, beverages sold in elementary and middle schools will be limited to a maximum of 10 calories per ounce in 8-ounce beverages, while high school students will be permitted 25 calories per ounce. As Snapple's controversial $40 million vending contract comes to an end, the DOE plans to ban juices and other beverages with artificial colors or flavors, the Post reports. It's all part of a crusade to combat what many deem a childhood "obesity epidemic," and the city is now seeking proposals from new vendors who must limit their snack selection to items under 200 calories, with less than 200 mg. of sodium and less than 10 percent saturated fat. And since the Snapple deal came with a $28 million sweetener for the city's fitness and sports programs, the DOE is also hoping the new vendor will be willing to make a similar donation for vending rights to the city's 865 schools, which contain some 2,235 vending machines.

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By John Del Signore in Food on April 14, 2009 2:33 PM

Comments [rss]

robingee

Chunk wasn't really very fat.

robingee

Chunk wasn't really very fat.

Past Taliban

The Incredible Bulk

Snoopy

How about getting Budweiser to put in the vending machines? I just read the contents of a 16 ounce can and it has only 145 calories, 0.0 grams of fat and no sodium listed. And this is regular Bud, I bet Bud Light is even less.

NannyState

The kids like Michelob better which means they get an additional 30-40 calories. Getting them to switch to Light would be difficult considering all the dealers lined up outside to "graduate" them should they tire of just alcohol for lunch.

Jen S

I did the Truffle Shuffle today!

hotstepper

Hogies and grinders.

Navy beans.

Navy beans.

Navy beans...

Gothamist_Cynic

I remember when I was in high school they served Pizza Hut and Taco Bell.

nicemarmot

My high school also. Of course, I grew up in the unenlightened midwest. And the Taco Bell was always two days old.

Rob T Firefly

Chunk icon!!!

OTC

"10 calories per 8-ounce drink" let's see that eliminates milk, juice, basically anything besides water, tea, cofee, or anything made with artificial sweeteners.

Yeah...that's it why drink natural milk or fruit juice when you can give them artificial sweetners.

Fredo Alvarez

I read this wrong at first too, but actually it's 10 calories per oz. for an 8 oz. serving, so that's 80 calories right there for elementary and middle school kids.