(Budget Says) Let Them Have Pop!

This morning was a lovely yesterday morning in Toronto! Because the forcast threatened thunderstorms later in the day, I decided to head out for an early bike ride and enjoy the sun while it lasted. On my way home, I passed through a school yard and noticed a bright Pepsi truck and delivery man heading into the school. It got me thinking about the recent news articles I'd read on the Toronto District School (TDSB) board and its debate over renewing their current contract for sales within high schools. Once home and showered I sat down at the computer to check my listserv and what headline do I see:

'TDSB extends cold-beverage contract: Deal gives board time to study health issues"

Sometimes I swear I have a psychic connection.....Anyway, the National Post article goes on to announce that last night the decision was made to extend the contract with Pepsi for 12 months despite concerns over the sale of pop in schools. The current contract which provides the TDSB with approx $500,000 a year, is often used to provided necessary funding for school teams and clubs.

And not everyone was on board for the contract renewal. Trustee Shelia Cary-Meagher spoke out against the contract renewal saying "What [is it] about having these vending machines in our school [that] is good? Name me one thing, except for the money." She also mentioned that the $500,000 from vending machines is not worth the cost to children's health from consuming sugary, caffeinated beverages. Vending machines in elementary schools sell water and juice while at high schools pop is also available for sale.

While I am certainly not surprised with this outcome, I am disappointed. Am I convinced that removing pop from schools will save our children from the evils of sweetened beverages? Not in the least. I see high school kids in my neighbourhood walking to class in the morning with Starbucks Venti Green Tea Frappuccinos at 8am (Which contain 650 kcals, and 97 grams of sugar might I add). What I do support is making a conscious effort to practice what we preach, and in this case that is practices of healthy living. Would it kill students not to be able to purchase pop & sugary fruit juices in schools? Not in the least! But by not selling them, we'd be at least be sending a consistent message between what (little) is taught in our schools about following a healthy diet and what the school supports through its choice of what to make available for students to purchase.

Bottom line? As with many other situations, in this vending machine battle it too is all about the $$!! In order to follow provincial law, the TDSB needs to maintain a balanced budget and to do so it currently needs to cut about $25.9 million (The need for cuts is largely due to declining student enrollment). And that's no easy task! Do you think the TDSB would actually turn away $500,000 even if its the right thing to do? Sadly, the government will pay later when health care costs soar due to damage including increased rates of diabetes, obesity, heart attacks and other health care issues that have been facilitated by past mistakes!