GREEN, Ohio – Some politicians are trying to put a stop to the easy access kids get to unhealthy fattening foods through junk food (search) vending machines in their high schools. But the schools say banning the vendors could do more harm than good.
"The schools are just catering to the taste, if you will, of the young people as opposed to providing healthy meals for them," said Sen. Ray Miller, D-Columbus, who has introduced legislation in the Ohio Legislature (search) that would limit the stuff students can access in vending machines and lunch lines.
According to Miller's bill, chips and cookies would not be sold à la carte, and carbonated drinks would be off-limits during school hours.
Nationally, more than 15 percent of children under age 19 are overweight, according to government statistics. As junk food becomes more popular, school districts have become more dependent on the revenue that comes from selling it.
Schools in Green, for instance, just signed a $170,000 contract with Coke in order to renovate its high school stadium, a contract that could be lost under the new legislation.
"This is taking it a step too far, and it is taking it a step too far before really looking at the financial aspect," said John Goldsberry, superintendent of Green schools (search).
Click here to watch a report by Fox News' Eric Shawn.
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