Before the state education department issued its new guidelines earlier this month banning the sale of junk foods in elementary schools, the Gilbert Unified School District was one step ahead.

Where state law prohibits the sale of soda, candy and certain fried foods in elementary schools after July, GUSD has not allowed the sale of these items in its junior high, high schools and elementary schools since last summer..

"We allowed our food services to be even more restrictive," said GUSD Governing Board President Thad V. Stump. "We came up with criteria prior to the state law being written. We were proactive."

Mr. Stump said for some time governing board members desired to do something about soda and candy being sold in schools.

The biggest resistance to change came from administrators in schools concerned about losing revenue from the sale of candy and soda.

"We felt it was important to move forward," Mr. Stump said. "We are expecting a financial report this summer to determine the impact of our new policy."

The school board president expected complaints from students in junior high and high schools never materialized.

"There has been very little grumbling," he said. "The feedback from the community has been mostly positive."

"This wasn't as big a deal as it was supposed to be," he said. "It has not been an issue at all. We are very pleased how our students are dealing with it. It's a fact our meals are now healthier and more nutritional. Our junior high and high school students are quite capable of accepting this."

GUSD Director of Food Services Debbie McCarron said the district's guidelines surpass state guidelines on the type of foods that can be sold in school cafeterias.

"No more french fries," she said. "Not only have we eliminated junk foods in our cafeterias but in our hallway vending machines as well."

She said district lunch rooms offer a wide variety of healthy foods as an alternative.

"We have an Asian line offering orange chicken and stir fries; a pasta line offering spaghetti and fettuccini; a sub line offering fresh meats; and a salad bar offering fresh tacos," she said. "We also offer a choice of water, juice, milk or all three."

School administrators also prohibit school groups from selling soda and candy.

"In some cases this may have hurt students selling candy and soda to raise money," she said. "Still, there has been a positive response from students."

Parent Rhonda Gatenby, whose child attends the Technical Leadership Academy, 55 N. Greenfield Road, supports healthier choices in high schools and junior high schools.

"I'm all for it,' she said. "Our family is into eating healthy. Soda, candy and junk foods are packed with sugar and do not meet the nutritional needs of students who strive to do well."

Parent Robert Laterza, whose daughter attends Mesquite High School, 500 S. McQueen Road, believes these snacks should be sold in high schools and junior high schools.

"I think they should allow them to sell soda and candy in the schools," he said. "The kids should be allowed to have a little treat. A can of soda and a little candy is not going to hurt anybody."

State and GUSD regulations allow students to bring banned-food items to school from home.

Post your comment on this issue at www.newszapforums.com/forum14. Gilbert News Editor Tommy Acosta can be reached at tacosta@newszap.com or at (480) 497-0048.

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