Oregon moves to limit junk food in schools

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Oregon’s state legislature is considering putting limits on sales of soda pop, candy and other junk food in public schools, saying that such food is part of the reason that too many U.S. children are obese.

“Our children probably are not going to live as long as their parents because of the diseases associated with obesity," state senator Bill Morrisette said in an interview on Tuesday.

The liberal, northwestern state of Oregon is far from alone in its push to limit the sales of junk food in schools.

This year at least 27 states are considering some type of ban on junk food or vending machines in the schools, according to the National Conference of State Legislators.

Morrisette sponsored one of two bills moving through the Oregon State Senate to improve nutrition in schools. His bill would ban junk foods sold in vending machines, school stores and in the cafeteria.

A similar bill proposed by State Senator Joanne Verger would prohibit schools from selling foods labeled by the Federal government as having minimal nutritional value in vending machines. That would include sodas and most candy.

Although there is little vocal opposition to the bills, some school districts say they have grown dependent on the revenues from junk food sales as school budgets are squeezed, and should be compensated for any loss in income.

The two proposed bills would not break existing contracts with suppliers, but the contracts would not be renewed, Morrisette said.

Another Oregon fat-fighting bill, sponsored by the president of the State Senate, would require schools to include physical education in the curriculum. 

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