Vending Machines in Schools

Please note: this page is an archive and is current as of March 1, 2005. For an updated version of this information, click here.

Debates have ensued regarding soda and food vending machines in elementary, middle/junior and high schools. Some states have introduced and enacted legislation to replace existing food and drinks of minimal nutritional value for healthier options or to restrict student access to the machines. As of January 2004, Arkansas is the only state that has passed legislation banning vending machines in elementary schools. This is not just a state issue, however. Some cities and local schools districts have taken the lead and enacted policies to ban or replace certain foods and beverages in vending machines or restrict student access to the machines.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's School Health Policies and Programs Study (SHPPS) 2000 survey concluded that 43% of elementary schools, 89.4% of middle/junior high and 98.2% of senior high schools had either a vending machine or a school store, canteen, or snack bar where students could purchase competitive foods or beverages.

Competitive foods are defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) as foods offered at school other than meals served through USDA school meal programs-school breakfast, school lunch and after school snack programs. According to the USDA, competitive food policies exist in many states and include laws that restrict access to food and beverage vending machines, school canteens and stores at certain times during the school day or limits access to foods with minimum nutritional value. See the USDA web site at http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Lunch/CompetitiveFoods/state_policies_2002.htm for more information on state competitive foods policies.

State Activity

In the 2003 session, two states enacted laws regarding vending machines in schools.

Arkansas House Bill 1583 (Act 1220) bans elementary school students' access to vending machines offering food and soda.

California Senate Bill 677 (Chapter 415) bans vending machine sales of carbonated beverages to elementary, middle and junior high school students and replaces them with milk, water and juice. It also limits accessibility in middle and junior high schools from one-half hour before the start of the school day to one-half hour after the end of the school day. It exempts sales of certain beverages at specified school events.

In the 2004 session, four states enacted laws regarding vending machines in schools.

Colorado Senate Bill 103 (Chapter No. 166) encourages each school district board of education to adopt a policy on or before July 1, 2004 providing that, by the 2006-07 school year at least 50% of all items offered in vending machines in each school district be healthful foods or healthful beverages. The foods and beverages must meet acceptable nutritional standards. (For more information, see bill.)

Louisiana Senate Bill 871 (Act No. 734) establishes a three-year pilot program in public schools to assess health-related fitness and changes in weight status. (For more information, see bill).

Tennessee House Bill 2783 (Chapter No. 708) requires the state board of education, in consultation and cooperation with the department of education and the department of health to promulgate rules to establish minimum nutritional standards for individual food items sold or offered for sale to pupils in grades K-8 through vending machines or other sources, including school nutrition programs. A school may permit the sale of food items that do not comply with the above as part of a school fundraising event if students sell food items off of school premises and at least one-half hour after the end of the school day.

Washington Substitute Senate Bill 5436 (Chapter 138) requires the Washington state school directors association, with the assistance of the office of superintendent of public instruction, the department of health, and the Washington alliance for health, physical education, recreation and dance to convene an advisory committee to develop a model policy regarding access to nutritious foods, opportunities for developmentally appropriate exercise, and accurate information related to these topics. Requires the policy to address the nutritional content of foods and beverages, including fluoridated bottled water, sold or provided throughout the school day or sold in competition with the federal school breakfast and lunch program and the availability and quality of health, nutrition and physical education and fitness curriculum. It also requires the school directors association to submit the model policy and recommendations on the related issues and for local adoption to the governor and legislature and post it on its web site by January 1, 2005. Requires each district's board of directors to establish its own policy by August 1, 2005.

2005 state legislation specific to vending machines in schools. Some states do not have current bills online, therefore those bills are not summarized below.

(Introduced unless otherwise indicated.)

Arizona
AZ HB 2544

Would require the department to develop minimum nutrition standards for foods and beverages sold or served (a la carte, school stores, vending machines, snack bars, and kiosks) on school grounds during school hours and may include portion sizes, minimum nutrient values, and a listing of contents. Would prohibit new contracts or renewed contracts for foods and beverages from selling sugared, carbonated beverages, and all other foods of minimum nutritional value as defined by federal regulations.

California

CA AB 622

Would amend current law regarding the sale of certain beverages and would require that food and beverages sold or served to pupils meet other specified nutritional standards. In elementary schools, it would prohibit the sale of foods of minimal nutritional value as defined by federal regulations, food containing artificial sweeteners, and snacks or desserts that exceed 150 calories per serving. Would only allow unflavored water, fruit juice or vegetable juice containing at least 50 percent juice with no added sugar, nectar containing at least 35 percent nectar with no added sugar, and milk; no beverage could exceed 150 calories per serving or exceed 12 ounce servings, except water; and would prohibit any beverage containing any artificial sweetener.

In junior high or middle schools, it would prohibit the sale of foods of minimal nutritional value as defined by federal regulations, snacks or desserts that exceed 200 calories per serving, and entree items that exceed 500 calories per serving. Would only allow unflavored water, fruit juice or vegetable juice containing at least 50 percent juice with no added sugar, nectar containing at least 35 percent nectar with no added sugar per 12 ounce serving, beverages that contain no more than 25 grams of added sugar per 12 ounce serving, and milk; no beverage could exceed 200 calories per serving or exceed 12 ounce servings, except water.

In high schools, it would prohibit any snack or dessert that exceeds 275 calories per serving, entree items that exceed 600 calories per serving, and beverages that exceed 275 calories per serving. Would require that 66 percent of beverages sold be unflavored water, fruit juice or vegetable juice containing at least 50 percent juice with no added sugar, nectar containing at least 35 percent nectar with no added sugar, beverages that contain no more than 25 grams of added sugar per 12 ounce serving, and milk.

CA SB 12

Would restrict portion sizes of a la carte items in elementary school cafeterias. The serving size could not exceed the serving size of the food served in the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program. It would also restrict food items in vending machines to 200 calories per item.

Would require all foods sold or served on school grounds in middle or junior high and high schools to be approved for compliance with nutrition standards. Foods sold outside of the UDSA meal would have to meet the following standards: not more than 35 percent of the total calories could be from fat, excludes nuts, nut butters, seeds, eggs cheese packaged for individual sale, fruits, nonfried vegetables or legumes; not more than 10 percent of the total calories could be from saturated fat, excludes eggs or cheese packaged for individual sale; and not more than 35 percent of the total weight could be composed of sugar, including naturally occurring and added sugars, except fruits or vegetables. It would also restrict portion sizes of a la carte items and limit vending machines foods to 200 calories per item.

A middle, junior high or high school would be allowed to sell items that do not comply with these standards if the sale takes place off of school grounds, takes place on school grounds at least one half hour after the end of the school day, or the sale occurs during a school-sponsored pupil activity after the end of the school day.

Connecticut

CT SB 8

Would prohibit public elementary and middle schools from selling soda, candy, or any other food that has minimal nutritional value from a vending machine located within the school.

Florida
FL SB 256

Would enact the Childhood Obesity Prevention Act and regulate food sold on school campuses and for fundraising purposes. Would prohibit foods that are sold a la carte or in vending machines to be sold from one-half hour before school begins until one-half hour after the end of the school day. Vegetable juice, fruit juice, fruit-based drinks that contain at least 30 percent fruit juice, water, and milk are the only beverages that would be allowed to be sold. Foods that meet federal regulations; snacks that contain whole grain, enriched or fortified grains, or grain products; and any food that derives less than 35 percent of its total calories from added sugars, except naturally occurring sugars, would also be allowed. Foods and beverages sold as a fundraising tool would have to meet these requirements.

Hawaii
HI HCR 17 and HR 20

Would request the Department of Education to adopt strategies to encourage healthy nutrition in public schools.

Illinois
IL HB 4

Would add a section concerning the prohibition of soft drinks. Contains only a caption.

IL HB 1536

Would require each school board to adopt nutritional goals and policies regarding the use of vending machines in schools, including without limitation getting rid of all foods and soft drinks that have little or no nutritional value.

IL HB 1537

Would require each school board to restrict access to vending machine products during times when school breakfasts and lunches are served.

IL HB 2361 and SB 231

Among other things, would limit the type and size of beverage items that may be sold in a public school during school hours. Would limit beverages sold in school to the following: fruit juices with no less than 50 percent fruit juice and no added sweeteners, drinking water, milk, and electrolyte replacement beverages that contain no more than 42 grams of added sweetener per 20 ounce serving. Would prohibit the sale of carbonated beverages and would limit the size of beverages to 12 ounces, except for water and milk; and electrolyte replacement beverages could not exceed 20 ounces.

IL HB 2415

Would add a section to the School Code concerning a ban on junk food. Contains only a caption.

IL HR 83 and SR 36

Would urge the state Board of Education, the soft drink industry, and the Illinois Statewide School Management Alliance to eliminate soft drink beverage sales and junk food products from school settings and that the schools substitute these products with healthy drinks and products, such as fruit juices that contain no less than 50 percent fruit juice and have no added sweeteners, bottled water, milk, and electrolyte replacement beverages that contain no more than 42 grams of added sweetener per 20 ounce serving.

Indiana
IN HB 1343

Would require each school board to establish a child nutrition and physical activity advisory committee to develop a local wellness policy that complies with federal law. Except for foods and beverages that are part of a school lunch or breakfast program, sold in an area that is not accessible to students, or are sold after normal school hours, this bill would prohibit students from access to vending machines in elementary schools and would require that at least 50 percent of the foods and beverages sold on school grounds qualify as a healthy food or healthy beverage. Soft drinks, punch, iced tea, coffee, fruit-based drinks that contain less than 50 percent real fruit juice or that contain additional caloric sweeteners, and drinks that contain caffeine, except for chocolate milk would not qualify as healthy beverages. The following would qualify as healthy: fruit-based drinks that are at least 50 percent real fruit juice or do not contain additional caloric sweeteners, water, seltzer water with no added sweeteners, and milk. Foods that would qualify as healthy include, items where no more than 30 percent of the total calories are from fat; no more than 10 percent of the total calories are from saturated and trans fat; and no more than 35 percent of the weight is from sugars that do not occur naturally in fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. It would also limit portion sizes.

Iowa
IA SF 84

Would require the Department of Education to conduct a study concerning the sale of carbonated beverages to students in schools during the 2005-2006 school year. Each school district would have to submit a report to the department and include the number of elementary, middle, and high schools that sell carbonated beverages, the method used to sell them, the number of locations where the sales are made, the amount of beverages sold on a per pupil basis, and the gross sales amount. This would not include sales at extracurricular events.

Kansas
KS HB 2137

Would require that all food product offerings sold in vending machines on school grounds and accessible to elementary and middle school students be healthy alternatives including, but not limited to, bottled water, milk, 100 percent fruit juice, dairy products, fruits, or vegetables. Healthy food alternatives would not include foods of minimal nutritional value as defined by the USDA under the National School Lunch Program. Every school district would require that 50 percent of overall food product offerings in vending machines accessible to students in high schools be healthy alternatives as outlined above. Would prohibit elementary, middle and high school teachers from using candy as an incentive or reward.

KS SCR 1604

Would request that the department of education, in cooperation with other entities, study the state's public schools with regard to school food programs, the availability of other food items available on school grounds, any available classes on health and physical activities intended to promote healthy bodies and physical fitness, and to report to the legislature their findings and recommendations for improving the diets and physical well being of students.

Kentucky
KY HB 273

Would not consider the sale during the day of bottled water as being in competition with the school breakfast or lunch programs.

KY SB 172

Among other things, would prohibit each school from preparing or serving deep-fried foods in the cafeteria during the school day and would limit access to no more than one day each week to retail fast foods in the cafeteria. It would also require the board of education to promulgate an administrative regulation to specify the minimum nutritional standards for all foods and beverages sold outside of the national school lunch and breakfast programs, whether in vending machines, canteens, or a la carte. The standards would have to be based on the USDA dietary guidelines and the regulation would be required to address serving size, and sugar and fat content. It would also restrict access to competitive foods from the time of the first students arrival at the school building until 30 minutes after the last lunch period. Would only allow school-day-appropriate beverages to be sold in elementary school during the school day in vending machines, school stores, canteens or fundraisers that sell beverages by students, teachers, or groups. School-day-appropriate means 100 percent fruit juice, low fat milk and any beverage that contains no more than 10 grams of sugar per serving.

Maryland
MD HB 521

The School Nutrition Program would require public school systems to serve more fresh fruits and vegetables; eliminate fried foods; offer healthy food choices at all school activities; review food portion sizes; serve at least one fruit and vegetable, excluding fried potato food with each meal; limit the amount of sodium in snack and bakery foods to 150 mg; limit the amount of sodium to 480 mg in entree items, including soups and meats; and limit the portion sizes of various food items. Would limit the sale of certain beverages during the hours of 12:01 am to the end of the last lunch period to, water, fruit juices with at least 50 percent juice and no added natural or artificial sweetener, isotonic beverages that replenish electrolytes and contain no more than 42 grams of added sweetener per 20 ounce serving, and milk. Would restrict food sales between the hours of 12:01 am to the end of the last lunch period to items that contain less than 35 percent of the total calories from fat, except nuts and seeds; no more than 10 percent of the total calories from saturated fat; and no more than 35 percent of the total calories could be from sugar, except for fruit and vegetables.

MD SB 473

Would require each county board to establish a nutrition policy to apply to all foods and beverages available to students during the school day including items sold in vending machines; separate, nonmeal related orders in the cafeteria; in school stores; and at school fundraisers. It would also require all vending machines in public schools to have and use a timing device to automatically prohibit or allow access to vending machines in accordance with the nutrition policy.

Michigan
MI HB 4097

Would restrict sales of foods and drinks whether as part of a school meal program, vending machine sale, or other food sales. Would prohibit the sales in elementary and middle schools of chewing gum, candy, food or drink that consists of 35 percent or more sugar or other sweetener, juice that is less than 100 percent real fruit or vegetable juice, and a food or drink containing more than 8 grams of fat per serving.

Mississippi
MS HB 748

Would require that only water, natural juices, fruit, and nonprocessed snacks may be sold in vending machines in all schools. Vending machines located in faculty or teachers lounges, or where only adults have access to the machines are exempt from this requirement.

Montana
MT HB 578

Would prohibit vending machines on school grounds unless the items offered are limited to foods where no more than 35 percent of the total caloric content is attributable to fat, except nuts or seeds; the saturated fat is no more than 10 percent of the total caloric content; and the sugar content is no more than 35 percent of the item's total weight, except fruits or vegetables. Beverages would be limited to fruit-based drinks that are no less than 50 percent fruit juice and contain no added sweeteners, water, milk, and electrolyte replacement drinks that contain no more than 42 grams of added sweetener per 20 ounce serving.

Nebraska
NE LB 285

Would require each school district to adopt a policy to permit the sale of nutritious foods and beverages in schools through school stores, vending machines, and student organization fundraisers. The policy would apply to all foods and beverages sold on school property beginning one-half hour before the start of and ending one-half hour after the end of the school day. Nutritious beverages include, water, milk, 100 percent fruit juice with no added sweeteners, or 100 percent vegetable juice, and in no more than a 12 ounce serving size. Nutritious foods are those that contain no more than 30 percent of the total calories from fat, except nuts or seeds; no more than 10 percent of the total calories from saturated fat; and no more than 35 percent of the total weight composed of sugar, except for unsweetened fruits or vegetables.

New Hampshire
NH SB 177

Would require that at each elementary, middle, junior high, or high school, the sale of all foods during morning or afternoon breaks on school grounds be approved for compliance with the following nutritional standards: no more than 35 percent of the total calories could be from fat, except nuts or seeds; no more than 10 percent of total calories could from saturated fat; and no more than 35 percent of the total weight could be composed of sugar, except for fruits or vegetables. Would permit food items that do not comply with these standards and are part of a fundraising event to be sold if the items are sold by pupils, the sale takes place off of school grounds, and the items are sold at least one-half hour after the end of the school day. At elementary, middle, junior high and high schools, regardless of time of day, would prohibit sales of beverages other than water, milk, 100 percent fruit juices, or fruit-based drinks that are composed of no less than 50 percent fruit juice and have no added sweeteners. There would be an exemption for fundraisers.

In middle or junior high schools, sales of beverages would be limited from one-half hour before the start of the school day to one-half hour after the end of the school day and would only include fruit based drinks with no less than 50 percent fruit juice with no added sweeteners, water, milk, and electrolyte replacement beverages that contain no more than 42 grams of added sweetener per 20 ounce serving. There would be an exemption for school events if the sale occurs during a school-sponsored event and it takes place at the location of that event after the end of the school day and vending machines, stores, and cafeterias are used no sooner than one-half hour after the end of the school day.

New Jersey
NJ combined bills AB 2339, AB 2356/SB 1913, AB 2905/SB 1916 and AB 3196 (carryover from 2004)

Would prohibit the sale of foods of minimal nutritional value to pupils at public elementary or middle schools until at least one-half hour after the end of the school day. Before school opens and during school hours, vending machine food sold to pupils would have to be a whole grain, enriched or fortified grain or grain product, a fruit or vegetable, a nut or nut spread, a seed, a legume, a trail mix, a soy-based product, a milk or dairy product, an electrolyte-replacement beverage, 100 percent real fruit or vegetable juice, or water. Would prohibit foods such as candy bars, hard candy, chewing gum, an item that contains more than 35 percent sugar or other sweetener, or an item that contains more than eight grams of fat per serving. Vending machines in high schools would have to contain at least one food and one beverage item which meets this dietary criteria. Home-baked goods sold for fundraisers would be exempt.

New Mexico
NM HB 598 and SB 295

Would enact the Competitive Foods in Schools Act and require the department to approve a list of competitive foods and beverages for offer or sale at public and charter schools and make the list available to school districts. Would not allow foods and beverages to be used as rewards or punishments for students. Would prohibit vending machines on school property from depicting graphics that do not promote 100 percent fruit and vegetable juices, water, milk, physical activity and health.

Would prohibit competitive foods from being sold or offered in elementary schools from one hour before until one-half hour after the school day. Items used in nutrition education lessons or served at celebrations would be exempt.

Would limit competitive foods and beverages from being offered or sold in middle, junior high or high schools from one hour before until one-half hour after the school day. Items used in nutrition education lessons or served at celebrations would be exempt.

Would allow the following competitive beverages: water, milk, yogurt beverages, 100 percent fruit and vegetable juices, fruit-based drinks that contain at least 50 percent fruit juice and have no added sugar, and electrolyte replacement beverages that contain no more than 23 grams of sugars per 12 fluid ounces. Would allow competitive food items where no more than 30 percent of the total calories are from fat, except seeds, nuts and cheeses; no more than 10 percent of total calories are from saturated and trans fat combined; and no more than 35 percent of the total weight is from sugar, except dried fruits. It would also limit portion sizes.

Would require the Department of Health to adopt and promulgate rules, including, but not limited to, requiring preferences for school fundraising activities that use nonfood items; require the use of foods and beverages that meet the provisions of the Competitive Foods in Schools Act; limit school celebrations that involve the use of foods and beverages to special and infrequent occasions and restrict those foods and beverages to those that comply with the standards of the act; encourage schools to offer and sell foods and beverages that comply with the act at school related activities and events outside of the academic day; and encourage school personnel to consume foods and beverages that comply with the act when eating with their students.

New York
NY SB 1805

Would allow fresh fruit, non-fried vegetables, legumes, beverages, dairy or grain products to be served as individual items during breakfast and lunch periods at elementary, middle and high schools if the items meet the following criteria: no more than 35 percent of the calories are from fat, except seeds or nuts; no more than 10 percent of the total calories are from saturated and trans fat combined; and no more than 35 percent of the total weight is composed of sugar, except natural sugars in fruits, vegetables and dairy products. Would allow the sale of these products at least one-half hour after the end of the school day. Prohibits the sale of certain beverages in elementary, middle and high schools until at least one-half hour after the end of the school day and would limit the serving size to 12 ounces. Would allow non-carbonated or carbonated waters without added sweeteners, milk, and drinks composed of at least 50 percent fruit juice with no added sweeteners to be sold during the school day.

Would prohibit the sale of "junk food" at any time. Defines the term "junk food" as any foods and drinks of minimal nutritional value, sweetened food items as described under Section 915 of the Education Law, and foods and drinks which contain a fat or sugar content that do not comply with standards provided in this bill.

Vending machines would be required to meet the requirements of this bill and remain locked or inoperable until at least one-half hour after the end of the school day.

North Dakota
ND SB 2328

Would prohibit the sale of beverages other than water, 100 percent milk, 100 percent fruit juice, or 100 percent vegetable juice to students from one-half hour before the start of the first class period to one-half hour after the conclusion of the last period. Would limit graphics on any vending machine on school property to the above beverages; fruit; vegetables; health messages; physical activity; or those that promote health education, school or community.

Oklahoma
OK HB 1254

Would require that all elementary and middle schools that have student accessible vending machines ensure that beverages and snacks with no or low nutritional value be replaced with ones that meet the standards as established by the USDA guidelines. Would also require incentive pricing for items that meet the minimum standards wherein they would be offered at lower prices than items that do not meet the minimum nutritional value.

OK SB 265

Would require that each district board of education ensure that no school in which vending machines are accessible to students in elementary grades offer beverages or snacks with no or low nutritional value as defined by the USDA in the vending machines. Would also require that the boards ensure that no school in which vending machines are accessible to students in middle, junior, and high school grades provide less than 50 percent of the items offered be healthy options and meet the nutrition standards defined by the USDA.

OK SB 535

Would require the Department of Education to survey and report on all public schools regarding the description and frequency of physical education programs, survey the schools on healthy food plans, as well as the use and contents of school vending machines.

Oregon
OR HB 2023

Would prohibit the school district board from contracting with vendors to sell food or beverages via vending machines that do not meet the standards of the UDSA national school lunch and breakfast programs. If a school does not have students in grade 5 or below, the board may contract with a vendor to sell items that do not meet the standards if the access to the machines is limited to after the last regularly scheduled lunch period for the school.

OR SB 560

Would prohibit a school district from selling food or drinks to students that do not meet the USDA's minimum standards for the school and breakfast programs and the following minimum state standards; individually sold items of fruits or vegetables or whole grains, and a la carte entrees that contain no more than 300 calories and meet at least three of the following nutritional requirements: no more than seven grams of fat; no more than 35 percent total weight of sugar; no fewer than two grams of fiber; no fewer than three grams of protein; no less than 10 percent of recommended dietary allowance of calcium, iron, vitamin A or vitamin C; snack items in single serve portions that contain no more than 200 calories and meet at least three of the requirements that are defined here; fruit or vegetable juices that contain no less than 50 percent juice and no larger than 12 ounce servings; milk in no larger than eight ounce servings; yogurt or fruit juice smoothies sold in serving sizes no larger than 12 ounces; and bottled water.

Would prohibit the sale of candy, carbonated soft drinks, or fried pastry products. Would prohibit vending machines on school property to contain advertisements for foods or drinks that do not meet the minimum state standards.

OR SB 662

Would prohibit a school district from selling food or drink from vending machines to students at a school if the item does not meet the standards that the state Board of Education is required to establish.

Pennsylvania
PA HB 192

Would create a Child Health and Nutrition Advisory Committee to draft a plan by providing advice and making recommendations to the state departments of health, education, and agriculture including types of foods sold in cafeterias, but outside of the USDA programs; competitive foods sold in vending machines, student stores, school fundraisers, food carts, or food concessions; the professional development of food service workers; expenditure of funds from competitive foods and beverages contracts; physical education and activity; implementation of nutrition and physical activity standards; and monitoring and evaluating results.

Rhode Island RI HB 5199, HB 5568 and SB 556
Would require school health programs to include policies dealing with physical education and nutrition. Would require the policies dealing with nutrition to provide that foods served or available to students be of high nutritional value and low in fat, sodium and added sugar. Students would be allowed at least 10 minutes to eat breakfast and at least 20 minutes for lunch and would prohibit using food as a reward or punishment. These policies would also apply to school fundraising efforts involving food.

Would prohibit the sale of carbonated soda and high-fat and/or high sugar snacks from all elementary, middle and junior high schools and would require the vending machines in these schools to stock them with healthy drinks, including, but no limited to, water, 100 percent juice, and milk with a sugar content of no more than four grams per ounce. Would require school districts to encourage vending machine choices in the high schools by notifying all students of comparable prices for both carbonated and non-carbonated beverages and encourage the vending machine companies to advertise options that encourage nutritional and healthy beverages, physical fitness, non-carbonated beverage choices, and other health-related educational activities.

Tennessee
TN SB 1862

Would allow the state Board of Education to promulgate a set of rules to establish minimum nutritional standards for individual food items sold or offered for sale to pupils in grades nine through 12 through vending machines or other sources, including school nutrition programs.

West Virginia
WV SB 170

Would prohibit through vending machines, school stores, fundraisers, or through any other means, the sale of any beverages other than nutritious beverages in an elementary, middle or junior high school from 30 minutes prior to the arrival of the first student to one hour after the last period.

Would require that in high schools at least 75 percent of the beverages offered for sale through vending machines, school stores, fundraisers, or through any other means, be nutritious beverages from 30 minutes prior to the arrival of the first student to one hour after the last period.

Would require that any beverages given to students free of charge during the school day at a school related event on school property be nutritious beverages.

Virginia
VA SB 747

Would require the state Board of Education and the Health Department to establish standards for the amelioration of childhood obesity in public schools. These standards would include, but not be limited to, statewide nutritional standards for school breakfast and lunch programs and the sale of competitive foods and beverages; appropriate recreational and physical fitness activities; and guidelines establishing nutritionally acceptable alternatives to the recommended dietary guidelines that accommodate the dietary needs of various health conditions and diverse cultural backgrounds of students and staff. Would require each division superintendent to complete instruction in the causes and health consequences of overweight and obesity.

Click here for 2004 bill chart.

If you have questions, find errors or omissions, please contact the Adolescent and School Health Project.

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