The Obama Administration's goals regarding junk food in schools

With first lady Michelle leading the way, the Obama administration is making efforts to remove junk food from schools. The legislation, which has yet to be officially introduced, would ban items such as candy and sugary beverages from schools, and require the schools to replace those with more nutritious options. It's possible the legislation would go as far as insisting that vending machines remaining on school property be "filled with nutritious offerings to make the healthy choice the easy choice for our nation's children," Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told the New York Times.

Junk food has been banned from official school breakfast and lunch programs for years now, but many schools offer sugary treats and fatty snacks outside of the programs through vending machines, a la carte services, or school stores. The money made off of these types of food sales is typically used to finance sports and other extracurricular activities.

Money seems to be the biggest concern for school boards, who are afraid the new requirements would further strain already stressed budgets. Food offerings that are more nutritious also tend to be more expensive. According to a New York Times report, the administration has proposed spending an additional $1 billion each year on the now $18 billion meals program, but this may still not be enough to cover the difference.

Many schools have been working on their own the last few years to make positive changes in nutrition and food offerings. In 2005 less than a third of school districts had limits on students' access to candy and sugary drinks. By 2008 that share increased to two-thirds according to a survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The School Health Policies and Program Study is a national survey that takes an in depth look at school health policies and programs at the state, district, school, and classroom level. Conducted every six years, the most recent report covers 2000-2006. In this period the number of schools offering bottled water increased 16 percent, while schools that allowed the purchase of items such as non-low fat baked goods and ice creams, non-low fat salty snacks, and whole milk all decreased by at least 10 percent.

The most recent development towards a healthier environment has been the American Beverage Associations voluntary action to take high calorie drinks out of schools. The Coca-Cola Company and PepsiCo now sell far more than just Coke and Pepsi, so instead of removing their vending machines, the companies just replace high calorie, high sugar drinks with items such as flavored water and juices.

While the ABA is trying to do their part Kevin Keane, senior vice president, has said that the industry does not favor the federal ban.