A call to Cardiff Council to remove all junk food from vending machines in Cardiff's secondary schools was rejected on the grounds it would dent schools' finances.
The question, made at the meeting of the full council yesterday, asked the executive member for education, Freda Salway, to explain the council's reasoning behind allowing junk food in Cardiff's schools – but headteachers say a blanket ban is not the answer.
The Cardiff Central Labour parliamentary candidate Jenny Rathbone put forward a petition signed by local parents and grandparents in her constituency requesting the council to look into removing crisps, sugary drinks and sweets from school vending machines.
She said:
"It is extraordinary that Cardiff Council is still selling junk food in its secondary school vending machines, undermining the good work going on in the classroom and in the dining hall.
"The council needs to think again on this issue. Our petition has received enthusiastic support amongst shoppers and mums and dads enjoying the better weather with their children over the school holiday in our local parks. One visitor from England couldn't believe that selling junk food in our schools was still going on."
Headteacher rejects quick-fix approach
But Mal Davies, headteacher at Willows High School, said simply removing fizzy drinks and sugary foods would not stamp out the problem. He said his school offered a large range of drinks including fruit juices and water – but he said there needs to be a balance and 'home and schools' approach to combat bad eating habits. He said:
"Young people can bring sugary drinks into schools from elsewhere. There are other sources still available in the community. Shutting it off in schools isn't going to close it off to the kids. We have seen that educating in healthy eating is the key.
"Stopping over eating and drinking fizzy drinks is our aim but we can only move towards it by educating the diet of youngsters rather than just banning it."
Council outline reasons for keeping junk food
Responding to the question made at the council meeting, Freda Salway said:
"Further legislation in this area is expected regarding the 'appetite for life' programme.
"Schools are free to chose their catering provider. All schools in Cardiff use Cardiff Catering for school meals and the council has full control of this. The council is very proud of this service.
"Vending machines are used to provide products which are supplementary to the main lunch. They have three key functions. They help keep children on school sites during lunchtimes. Help make access in school meals easier by removing children just buying drinks or snacks in the lunch queues and income from vending machines supports the implementation of catering staff."
Salway said out of 20 of Cardiff's High Schools, 19 have vending machines operated by Cardiff Catering and the drinks provided are low sugar drinks and water – with bottled water being the most popular item bought. A recent study which removed sugary products from schools' vending machines and replaced them with healthy options showed sales went down by 60%. Salway said:
"The pilot demonstrated that a move to only healthy vending had a negative effect on the overall sales. We continue to promote healthy eating but to take radical steps on vending impacts on income to such an extent it would impact on other areas in schools."
Following Salway's answer, a heated debate ensued between Rathbone and the executive member. Salway accused Rathbone of being unaware that Llanedeyrn High School – where she is school governor (as well as Ysgol y Berllan Deg) – had made a decision to put vending machines in place in 2009. She said:
"I understand there is an explicit concern out there and parents have a right to play but many machines have been put in place by the governing bodies. As a recent import into the city, I'm not sure if you have sought the views of your governing body."
Salway was immediately called to take back her comments. Councillor Ralph Cook said: "I don't think it's OK for her in that position to berate members of the public."
Councillor Salway was eventually persuaded by the Lord Mayor Brian Griffiths to apologise to Jenny Rathbone.
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