Senator Tom Harkin is pressing to change the kinds of foods that’re available in vending machines in the nation’s schools. Harkin says the federal government spends 10 billion dollars a year on the school lunch program so kids can have a nutritious meal, but then the schools allow kids to buy junk food from vending machines that counters all the good that’s done by providing healthy meals. Harkin says one Mississippi school districts removed all soft drinks and junk food from vending machines, yet the school didn’t lose money on the vending machines because Harkin says the kids just made healthier choices. Harkin has sponsored a program which tries to get schools to place fresh fruit and vegetables in school vending machines.
Iowa's Radio News Network
