by Jennifer Obakhume

Corporate sponsorships have brought soda and fast food into a lot of schools over the years, but that trend is changing fast as many school districts start banning junk food. In California, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill to get rid of soda machines and improve cafeteria options on all school campuses. The U.S. Congress considered two bills that proposd restrictions on food sales in schools to address childhood obesity. Youth Radio’s Jennifer Obakhume wonders if this will really change the diet of America’s students. (November 7 on NPR's Morning Edition.

I’m a senior at Inglewood High School in Los Angeles and I must confess that my preference for lunch is a candy bar and grape soda. Last spring, my school stopped selling fast food, and took out all but one soda machine which now has an unbelievable line. They didn’t plan for what happened next – a black market for junk food.

Here’s how it works: students buy huge variety boxes of candy and chips or go to Burger King or Starbucks in the morning and then sell their supplies. Antony Jauregui says students hide their transactions from stricter teachers when their backs are turned in class.

Antony: "So they’re like whispering and they’re like, “Eh I got candy, who wants to buy?” And they're like, “Well I wanna buy!” They pass the money from student to student to student, and then they pass the stuff back. It’s really funny to see it."

You’ve got to see it to believe it. Seniors who get out at noon throw fast food over campus gates to friends. And not only that - some students even call in pizza orders and have them delivered at the school gate!!! If you get caught, they take away your loot.

If you think that’s harsh, across town at Hollywood High School, senior Michael Bustamonte says administrators there are cracking down hard on the underground food trade and suspending students as if it were drug dealing.

Michael: "My homeboy used to do that but they said that’s like dealing stuff, so not no more."
Jennifer: "When the junk food was being sold, like your homeboy selling it, would you buy it?"
Michael: "Of course, I would support my homeboy."

Let’s find a compromise here. I’ve heard that some schools are setting aside one day a week to serve pizza and other fast food in the cafeteria. I’m all for that. After all, wouldn’t you rather kids learn about junk food in the safety of their school’s cafeteria, instead of from their friends on the streets?

Jennifer Obakhume.
Credit: Sara Harris, Youth Radio