TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Hernando Today

School district seeks to increase beverage sales

ADVERTISEMENT

Jeff Schmucker

Jeff Schmucker

Published: November 2, 2009

Middle school students could soon enjoy the same benefits as their high school counterparts by having access to various drinks from the district other than bottled water, milk and juice — while also increasing revenues.

Lori Drenth, director for food and nutrition services, said since the district eliminated many beverage choices for middle school students about three years ago, revenues have decreased by $149,000 in the past two years — from about $429,000 at the end of the 2006-07 school year to $289,000 at the end of 2008-09.

Those numbers have nothing to do with what students can purchase from beverage machines, which offer some sports drinks and diet sodas. Her department deals with what students can access during lunches and meals.

She said most of that decline is in reaction to reduced choices for the students from lemonade, fruit punch and sports drinks to now only offering bottled water, milk and eight-ounce juice drinks — almost the exact same as what's offered to elementary school students.

The reduction came following changes in the American Beverage Association guidelines. Drenth said although sodas and other drinks aren't offered in the cafeteria areas, she believes students still have access to them and that they compete with what food services can offer students.

"It doesn't account for all the decreases, but I think it makes up for a significant portion," Drenth said. "What we'd like to do is give these students a good variation to choose from, just like we do for the high school level."

During the 2 p.m. school board workshop at the board office, Drenth is asking the board to consider changes to what nutrition services can offer. Some of those proposed changes include flavored water, vitamin water, Crystal Light, Powerade Zero and another fruit drink called Fuze Slenderize — all up to 20 ounces.

Also being proposed is an eight-ounce iced coffee beverage with no more than 66 calories for high school students.

She said in comparison to the drink machines, her department is still offering more nutritious choices.

"It's not perfect, but we try to limit what the students can drink to something that is a little more nutritious," Drenth said. "We do check the calorie consumption and we want to keep the options pretty much the same as what they can get when they get to high school."

In the past few years, there has been a nationwide push to reduce sodas sold in schools, both in vending machines and at lunch, and replace those with healthier choices. Some states have banned selling soft drinks in schools. Florida lawmakers have also discussed similar initiatives.

Reporter Jeff Schmucker can be reached at 352-544-5271 or jschmucker@hernandotoday.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT