nutrition and physical activity in our schools - Environment & Human ...

The State of Nutrition and Physical Activity in Our SchoolsCafeteria-run vending machineofferings by school levelRegulations regarding the nutritional content of foods sold incafeteria-run vending machines are the same as those pertainingto other competitive foods. Proceeds from cafeteria-run vendingmachines go to the food service program, and by state law, theseare the only vending machines allowed to be turned on in theschool during lunchtime, or in the 30 minutes directly before orafter the lunch periods. As with à la carte items, the prevalenceof vending machines was associated with school level.Twenty-two percent of the food service programs in elementaryschools operated vending machines during lunch. These machinescontained milk, 100 percent juice, and partial juice drinks.At the middle school level, 45 percent of the food serviceprograms operated cafeteria-run vending machines, while 55percent did not. Of the cafeterias that operated vendingmachines, 50 percent provided vending machines containingsweetened beverages, 100 percent juice, water, partial juice drinks,and/or sports drinks such as PowerAde and Gatorade. Thirtypercent operated machines containing only milk and/or 100percent juice, and the remaining 20 percent operated vendingmachines containing both beverages and “snacks” such as potatochips, cookies and prepackaged baked goods.Proceeds fromcafeteria-run vendingmachines go to thefood service program,and by state law, theseare the only vendingmachines allowed tobe turned on in theschool duringlunchtime.At the high school level, 63 percent of the food service programsoperated vending machines. As many as nine vending machineswere maintained by food service programs at these schools.These vending machines offered a variety of beverages andsnacks, including partial juice drinks, water, ice cream, potatochips, and prepackaged baked goods.45