Ella Petersen
Staff Writer
I am one of the loyal customers of the school store, the room full of food run by all volunteers, one of the really admirable things about SLA’s fundraising. They have a variety of options, from brownies to Doritos. If I forget to pack a lunch, it is a life saver…or a really bad decision.
There have been many days where I rush out of the house and forget my lunch or forget to make one altogether. On these days, I take a visit to the school store. Because I’m a runner I need a lot of food throughout the day in order to make up for all the calories I burn. When I walk inside the store, I am met with a variety of junk food options. I proceed to stock up on all the chips, lollipops, and rice krispie treats my wallet will allow.
Don’t get me wrong, I love junk food just as much as the next teenager, but I need something more sustainable that doesn’t make me feel sick later in the day or groggy when I’m at practice. I think that if we could add a few healthier options, while not changing anything else, we would have a variety of all types of food in the store: more granola bars, maybe some fruit, and trail mix that isn’t all M&Ms.
I am a big fan of the school store and I will continue to go there regardless of the food they have, but I would like to see a change in the food there. I think that if there were healthier options, it would help the business thrive even further.
I appreciate this article Ella and I think you are raising a very important issue. Nutritious, healthy snacks are good for the mind and the body! A wider selection of alternative snacks would certainly allow students to make smart decisions about what they eat. Since parents chip in to supply the store with snacks, the Home and School Association can get the word out and request healthier options. I will do my part to support your idea. Thanks for bringing this to the attention of your readers.