The Boston Globe
By Peter Schworm
Globe Staff
January 22, 2008
Schools have come down hard on soft drinks in recent years, banning the sugary beverages from vending machines and lunch rooms. Now, the city is taking its fight against childhood obesity to the corner stores where students hang out.
more stories like thisIn an aggressive marketing campaign, Boston school and health officials are teaming up with convenience stores near city middle schools to steer students away from sodas and toward healthier drinks.
Starting today, the Boston Public Health Commission will post advertising flyers in eight city stores urging schoolchildren to forgo soft drinks in favor of 100 percent fruit juice, low-fat milk, and plain water. The stores have also agreed to display the healthier beverages prominently and sell smaller, 50-cent healthy drinks.
The pilot "Corner Store" initiative, which health officials described as a rare partnership between public schools and private businesses, will also track children's beverage choices over the next few months to determine if more students are developing healthier habits.