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  D70 to offer healthier selection of beverages

  By GAYLE PEREZ
 THE PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN

When District 70 students and staff return to class in August, they'll find healthier choices in their beverage vending machines.

The school board on Tuesday night decided to allow district officials to purchase beverage vending machines and stock them with healthier drinks.

The change came about after district officials began investigating possibilities for bringing healthier choices to students as part of an overall district health and wellness program.

As the district's contract with Pepsi expired in June, officials decided to look into the possibility of purchasing vending machines and stocking them themselves.

The move will not only allow for healthier products to be sold but it also is expected to generate additional revenue for the district, according to Greg Keasling, director of student services.

Keasling said under the previous beverage contract, the district paid $17 to $19 a case for beverages. Based on how much was sold, the district would reap a percentage of those sales.

Keasling said with the district operating the machines, it will be able to purchase the products at a lower price and all the revenue will stay in the district.

The district's foundation department will continue to receive 10 percent of the proceeds it had received with the contract from Pepsi.

'The end result is there will be more profit for everyone to use," he said.

The district plans to purchase 23 vending machines by this fall and eventually plans to add four more.

The machines will be purchased through the food service budget but it will be reimbursed for the cost through sales. Keasling said all machines, which will cost $3,300 each, should be paid off in two years.

Keasling said the machines will be placed in each of the high schools, the middle schools, the Vineland and Pueblo West bus garages and the administration building.

The elementary schools will no longer have vending machines; however, Keasling said students and staff can still purchase bottled water in the cafeteria.

The machines will be stocked with juices, flavored waters, flavored drinks, Gatorade, Powerade and teas.

Keasling said students from the Transitional Assistance Program will maintain at least 13 of the vending machines. The others will be maintained by district personnel.

The TAPS provides special education high school students with job skills and independent living skills.

Keasling said the student will be responsible for picking up the products from the vendors and then delivering and stocking them in the machines.

At the high schools, various student clubs such as Distributive Education Clubs of America or Future Business Leaders of America will maintain the machines.