Achieving a District Ban on Soda and Unhealthy Snacks Healthy Fundraising Bright Idea (Submitted on August 26, 2005)
What did they want to do?
A diverse coalition of community groups, health advocates, students, teachers, and parents lobbied the Los Angeles Unified school board to eliminate the sale of soda and unhealthy snack items. Using a very organized approach, advocates achieved policy change in the nation's second largest school district.
Who took action? School board, health advocates, including teachers, students, parents, the public health department, and community groups
Where did this happen? Los Angeles Unified School District - school
Demographics
Second largest school district in the nation with more than 735,000 students enrolled
69% of students are eligible for free or reduced price meals
Why did they want to do it? Advocates wanted to eliminate the sale of soda and high fat, high sugar foods in the district.
Background
Principals in the LAUSD were entering into contracts with soft drink companies to provide beverages for sale in vending machines in an effort to raise money for their schools. Some school officials and parents feared losing needed funding for schools if soda was banned. Schools received larger commissions from soft drink sales. At Venice High School, for example, the contract with Coca-Cola stipulated that schools made a 36 percent commission on the sale of a soda while only receiving a 15 percent commission on the sale of pure fruit juice. Schools and student groups were also selling unhealthy food items throughout the school day to raise money.
How did they accomplish their goal? For both the resolution that eliminated soda and the resolution that set nutrient standards for competitive foods, the following steps were used:
1. Health advocates, including students and parents, voiced strong concern over these practices and met one-on-one with school board members and testified at school board meetings to outline their concerns.
2. The board received information from advocates about the health implications of soda and unhealthy food consumption, youth dietary practices, and the link between nutrition and learning.
3. Advocates also provided school board members with data on the incidence of childhood obesity and childhood diabetes as well as the link between soda and junk food and obesity.
4. Students presented data they collected. For example, they collected data indicating the sale of water was increasing at Venice High School while soda sales were waning.
5. At the school board meetings , students testified that they wanted healthy food and drink options at school. They provided the school board with a list of healthier drinks and foods that could be sold at competitive prices.
6. School board members authored 2 motions. The first in 2002 bans sodas and other sugary drinks from all LAUSD campuses beginning in 2004 and the second resolution in 2003 sets nutrient standards for competitive foods starting in 2004.
What were their results?
When the board passed the motion to promote healthy beverage sales, the unanimous decision was covered by the national and international news. Because LAUSD is the 2nd largest school district in the nation, these policies serve as a model for school districts across the nation and abroad.
Sodas have been eliminated at LAUSD schools. Only authorized beverages are sold before, during, and until one half hour after the end of the school day. All unauthorized vending machine contracts have been declared void and disciplinary action is taken for violation of district policy. While overall beverage sales have declined, water and juice sales have increased.
All a la carte food sales are required to have the nutrient standards and portion sizes noted per the resolutions. At least one vegetarian option is offered through the school meal program and salad bars have been added where facilities permit. Participation in the Federal Meal Program at the secondary level has increased from 35% to 42%.
What are their future plans?
A committee is working on alternative fundraising methods for schools to mitigate potential impacts of the nutrition standards. A central office physical education specialist has been established to improve physical education and develop an instructional guide for grades K-12. Additionally, 37 new high schools are scheduled to be built with fitness centers and pools. Board Member Marlene Canter is spearheading efforts to put a farmers’ market in each of the eight local districts to ensure access to fresh, affordable food for all communities. She also wants to ensure that all students have sufficient time to eat.
Maria Reza Assistant Superintendent for Student Health and Human Services
Los Angeles Unified School District
333 S. Beaudry, 24th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90017
(213) 241-3840 [email protected]
