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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend February 18, 2005 McLoughlin Middle School eighth-graders, from left, Fred Hopkins, Piper Ramos and Brynna German, dine on milk from vending machines near the cafeteria. McLoughlin and Hedrick middle schools have opted to replace soda with healthier options. Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell Schools kick the (soda) cans Alternatives include juices, water, though some students like pop as ‘a choice’ By ANITA BURKE Mail Tribune Medford middle schools have booted carbonated, caffeinated soft drinks off campus this month as part of an effort to help students make healthier choices. Vending machines at Hedrick and McLoughlin middle schools now sell bottled water, fruit juices and Gatorade instead of Pepsi, Mountain Dew and Squirt. "We want to not just teach health, but walk the talk, too," said McLoughlin Principal Amy Tiger. The changes came as part of a review Tiger is doing of the district’s middle and high school health curriculum. A $14,000 grant from Healthy Kids Learn Better, a partnership between the state’s education and health and human services departments, is paying for the review. Advertisement "We want to work together to reinforce what we teach," she said. McLoughlin students who gathered in the courtyard around the vending machines selling new options have heard the health message, but they aren’t necessarily pleased with the choices. "I know people think pop causes obesity, but many people like it," said Levi Tinnin, a 14-year-old eighth-grader. "I think they should keep it even though it is bad, as students don’t get many choices." Sodexho School Services, which manages the district’s food program under contract, also has stepped up efforts to give kids healthier choices, said Jeff Ashmun, senior general manager. The company has removed soda fountains at high school and middle school cafeterias and limited the candy it sells at high school snack bars. Just this week, it started selling fruit smoothies at the high schools, he said. It also introduced healthy wraps this year to complement sandwich and salad options. Sodexho strives to provide age-appropriate nutrition information — from "The Friendly Farmer," who teaches elementary kids about vegetables, to eating and exercise tips for high school athletes, Ashmun said. "There’s a concerted effort with food services and school staff to constantly review offerings and keep them as healthful as we can," said Hal Jones, an assistant principal at South Medford High School. Both Jones and North Medford High School Assistant Principal Rick Parsagian said high schools don’t plan to remove pop from their vending machines, but they have added juice and water. Milk is available at some vending machines at Medford high and middle schools. Middle schools in the Central Point school district have never had pop machines for students, but they do sell juice from vending machines. Rogue River pulled most soda, sweetened cereal and other sugary treats from its elementary and middle school menus and snack bars in January 2003. The Associated Press recently reported that federal researchers have found the percentage of school-age kids who are overweight has been rising since the late 1970s, and the rate is now at about 16 percent. That’s been blamed on greater availability of soda, candy and cookies and less emphasis on exercise, leading to more children with weight and health problems, including those usually seen in adults such as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. Another recent study warned that even natural juices add unneeded calories to the diets of young children, causing preschoolers to become overweight. Reach reporter Anita Burke at 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Computer Security Discount Hotel Reservations Casinos Canada dvd-r Generic Viagra Myspace Windermere Van Vleet Deep Muscle Stimulator Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Online Casino Fundraisers Student Loans Sudoku Online Advertisement s Advertisement