Whistle blown on junk food

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: September 10, 2009 6:00 PM

Onion rings are being benched during Vernon Vipers games. The Greater Vernon Advisory Committee endorsed a plan Thursday that would see healthy food and beverage choices introduced to Wesbild Centre and the recreation complex. “We’ve seen in different reports that lifestyles need to be changed and eating habits are part of that,” said chairman Wayne Lippert. “If you don’t have options, you are taking away the availability to live healthier.”The policy must still be ratified by the North Okanagan Regional District board, but changes at concessions and vending machines could begin late this fall.

As part of the new menu, some items will be replaced with food deemed to be healthier.Onion rings will be scrapped for a frozen Baja burrito while chicken strips will make way for chicken fingers. A low-sodium popcorn cooked in sunflower oil will be introduced while nachos will be replaced by apple chips. Bag candy and cotton candy will be unavailable, but you will be able to buy apples and bananas.“You will be able to get a hamburger but it will be on a whole wheat bun,” said Al McNiven, NORD’s general manager of parks and recreation.

Among the items that will be promoted are 100 per cent fruit juice, water, milk and chili.Other less-healthy, standard rink food will still be on the menu, including fries, chips, chocolate bars and ice cream. And McNiven insists the goal is to provide options, not to eliminate junk food entirely. “If you still want to buy a pop, go ahead and buy it,” he said.

Abandoning some junk food, though, could put the bite on GVAC’s bottom line.McNiven anticipates that net revenue from the concession stands and vending machines during the first year could drop $15,000 to $20,000.“It will depend on how willing people are to make the change and what they consume,” he said. Presently, there is $98,000 in annual net revenue from the concession and vending machines at Wesbild Centre and the recreation complex.

The healthy food and beverage policy will not apply to the Vernon Curling Club, Civic Arena or the Halina Seniors Centre because they are operated by third-party organizations.