Kevin Laliberte
Editor, Smoky River Express

Will public and separate school systems in the province follow the lead of Edmonton’s public school system by banning the sale of junk food in area schools? It’s a question which will likely be debated at great length in the coming weeks and months as our school board officials grapple with the sticky sweet issue of deciding whether or not to eliminate the sale of junk food within the education system. Leading the way for policy change in Edmonton’s public school system is Trustee Dave Colburn, whose motion last Tuesday to have the district remove the sale of junk food in all schools once and for all was endorsed by board with a healthy appetite for change. Colburn, who had failed in a similar bid one year ago to convince the board that junk food was unhealthy and inappropriate in the education system, was elated by the results of the voting process. He says health issues such as diabetes and obesity are very legitimate reasons for banning junk food, which he defined as any food high in fat, sugar or salt and low in nutritive value. Trustees, meanwhile, didn’t attempt to define “junk food” beyond Colburn’s position that the term be used to describe any food high in fat, sugar or salt and low in nutritive value. Administrators will report back to the board by March 30 at the latest on “the process and time frame necessary” to bring about the sales ban. The decision follows a decision by Red Deer’s public school district earlier last month to adopt a nutrition policy that limits the sale of non-healthy food and drinks. The ban will be introduced over the next couple of years. The issue garnered similar attention in September of this year when the Government of Quebec vowed to fight what it referred to as an “obesity epidemic” linked to the sale of junk food in schools. Part of that process for radical nutritional change involves restricting access to junk food, but also educating parents to encourage healthy eating habits on a regular basis. The positive news represents a tasty victory for parents and other community members who’ve long supported the idea of a junk-food sales ban in schools to actively promote healthy lifestyles among our children. The benefits and distinct advantages of healthy eating choices among students have been proven time and time again. Eating a well-balanced diet from all four of the basic food groups each day lends itself to a higher level of attention and awareness among students, which ultimately translates into better grades and better health. The unfortunate reality virtually all of us as parents have been guilty at one time or another of preparing lunches for our children by opting for the pre-packaged sugar and fat-laden quick fixes (chips, chocolate bars, pop etc.) or processed goods over healthier food choices. Most schools, meanwhile, with vending machines and canteens stacked to the roof with seemingly endless quantities of these assorted unhealthy goodies recognize the profitability which exists in satisfying the insatiable inner sweet tooth among students. The question we must ask ourselves is whether good health should take a back seat to profitability. Is that really the message we want to send our students? I think not. It’s time to scrap the crap!

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