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HIGHLAND — Inside Mountain Ridge Junior High there is no junk food, candy or soda to be found.
The Highland school has done what might seem like the unthinkable — it has gotten rid of the candy and vending machines. Now, all it sells is water.
"It's our way of fighting obesity rates here in our school, in Utah and across the country," said Jennifer Bitton, assistant principal at Mountain Ridge. "The kids don't even miss it."
The vending machines have been absent from the school for seven years. In that time, the school has found a way to boost student health without injuring the school's fiscal health.
"When we did take out the machines … initially the kids were beside themselves," Bitton said. "The kids that are in the school now have never had any of the vending machines, so they don't even know that it's missing."
Related:
Davis High students find way to profit from soda ban
A ban on lunchtime sodas at Davis High school has turned into a business opportunity for some students. Three juniors, Cameron Bettolo, Justin Olsen and Zack Longson, have set up a soda store to help other students get their fix during lunch.What is missing, though, is money going from the vending machines to the school's funds. On average, vending machines bring in about $10,000 a year, so the school has had to get creative to fill the gap.
To make up the revenue loss and provide additional health benefits, the school started an annual 5K run. Of the school's 1,500 students, all but a few dozen took part in the race Wednesday. Faculty and staff joined in as well.
"(I'm) not a big fan, but I did it in 30 minutes," said Jameson Bitton, an eight-grader. "I'm pretty proud of myself."
Educators say the 5K more than makes up for the missing machine revenue — the kids get healthier choices and the school can still afford to pay for classroom teachers' aides.
"It's a fun way to end the school year," Bitton said. "They're able to get out and move and spend time with their friends. What better way to end the school year?"
