Guess it's not bad enough that the taxpayer funded lunches the schools are serving to our children are barely edible, and what little offerings that a vending machine could provide are limited by the government, as well. Now, HB 208 by Rep. Stephen Carter (R) seeks to limit even further what vending machines can sell in our schools.
Vending machines' foods and beverages are called "competitive foods" because they compete with the school meals provided by the vendors who are subsidized with our tax dollars. When children don't buy the meals from the government-favored vendors, those vendors lose money. So, under the guise of NANNY STATE KNOWS BEST, and utilizing catch phrases like "nutritional value," the government has decided to limit competitive foods to what they consider to be healthy choices for our children.
Vending machines' foods and beverages are called "competitive foods" because they compete with the school meals provided by the vendors who are subsidized with our tax dollars. When children don't buy the meals from the government-favored vendors, those vendors lose money. So, under the guise of NANNY STATE KNOWS BEST, and utilizing catch phrases like "nutritional value," the government has decided to limit competitive foods to what they consider to be healthy choices for our children.
If you remember, in 2009 when this program first started, the law that HB 208 is seeking to amend is the same law that killed bake sales at our public schools. In fact, in some areas a lunch brought from home is considered to be "competitive" and are not allowed! Is this where LA is headed?
Since "competitive" foods and beverages are sold outside of the federally-reimbursed school meals programs and are paid for by parents, the choices, should be up to the parents and not the state.
HB 208 is scheduled to be heard in the House Education Committee on May 2, 2017. Please call or email the committee member and tell them to vote NO to HB 208. In fact, it wouldn't hurt to ask them to just repeal the whole R.S. 17:197.1 while they are at it!
Since "competitive" foods and beverages are sold outside of the federally-reimbursed school meals programs and are paid for by parents, the choices, should be up to the parents and not the state.
HB 208 is scheduled to be heard in the House Education Committee on May 2, 2017. Please call or email the committee member and tell them to vote NO to HB 208. In fact, it wouldn't hurt to ask them to just repeal the whole R.S. 17:197.1 while they are at it!