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Highlands Today

School District Features New Beverage Lineup

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By MARC VALERO | Highlands Today

Published: January 5, 2008

SEBRING — Highlands County high school students returning from winter break will be able to take it to the max with a Pepsi Max, pop for a Dr. Pepper or possibly make do with a Mountain Dew.

With Pepsi winning a competitive bid over Coca-Cola, the Coke vending machines are out and the Pepsi products are in for two years at the district's high schools.

Along with the carbonated beverage lineup, the Pepsi Bottling Group offers a lineup of Lipton teas, flavored water, Tropicana juices and other healthier options, some of which will be offered at the elementary and middle schools.

Pepsi had the most attractive offer, said Martha Brown, director of the school district's Food and Nutrition Services Department.

The switch is not a knock on Coke, she stressed

"There are a lot of die-hard Coke drinkers in this county and for some people they are going to really miss having that product around in their teachers' [break] room," Brown said. "But, we have to look at the financialimplications."

Schools receive a percentage of the profits from the vending machines, which is used to support student activities. The money is not tied to federal requirements so it can be spent for what is deemed necessary by the school administration.

Both beverage companies had been very responsible in bidding for the school district contract by following the Clinton Foundation and the American Beverage Association standards, Brown said. So they don't offer sugared drinks for the elementary and middle schools. They offer only water and juices.

At the high schools, along with sodas, there will be a number of healthy alternatives such as flavored teas, juice and water.

"That's what it is all about, helping them make better choices," Brown said.

According to the Pepsi school policy, at least 50 percent of the beverages offered in high schools must be water and no- or low-calorie options (no more than 10 calories per eight-ounce serving).

"These kids are pretty savvy consumers and it's the drinks they can purchase off campus, so it's nice to be able to provide them on campus," Brown said.

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