California Project LEAN, in collaboration with a local non-profit, the Health Education Council (HEC) stopped an exclusive Pepsi soda contract from being signed by the Sacramento City Unified School District (SCUSD). When it became known that the SCUSD was in negotiations with Pepsico Inc. to enter into a five-year contract for $2 million to exclusively sell Pepsi products in district schools, HEC formed a coalition of parents, teachers, and advocates within the school district. The Center for Commercial-Free Public Education, a national non-profit that addresses commercialism in public schools also joined the coalition. The coalition coordinated their efforts through a series of school board meetings to educate the school board to put the health of children as a priority and not “sell-out” to Pepsi in order to find funding for the district. In addition to the community mobilization, advocacy efforts included media contacts and individual communication with board members and the superintendent. The concerns of board members were addressed in packet of research on child nutrition and obesity, commercialism in public schools, and the increased prevalence of fast food in schools. The local newspaper published articles, editorials and letters to the editor in opposition to the contract. All major television and radio stations in Sacramento also reported on the issue. As a result, in addition to not signing with Pepsi, the school board created a task force to recommend nutrition and physical activity policy for the district. They will assess the nutritional value of foods and drinks offered on school campuses. See www.dhs.ca.gov/lean
Learning Objectives: Attendees will: - Learn how the Pepsi contract allowed the coalition to seize the opportunity to place the larger issue of unhealthy foods on campus before the board. - Understand the components of exclusive pouring contracts. - Learn how to mobilize a community around a school health issue.
Keywords: Advocacy, School Health
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