Those Evil School Vending Machines

Such an obvious federal solution to an evil local problem: We sure wouldn't want the nutritionists responsible for school cafeteria food to be "undermined" by vending machines.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Agriculture Department would be given the power to regulate all food sold in schools -- including vending machine snacks -- when Congress renews child nutrition programs, the chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee said on Tuesday.

[SNIP]

Agriculture Committee work on child nutrition will begin with a draft that gives the USDA the authority to oversee all food in schools, so nutrition programs are not "undermined" by junk food in vending machines, Harkin said at a confirmation hearing for the head of the USDA's nutrition programs.

Earlier this year, Harkin co-sponsored a bill focused on setting nutritional standards for food in school vending machines and stores to combat childhood obesity rates.

The incoming head of the nutrition program, Kevin Concannon, testified that in his work as a food stamp director for Iowa, Oregon and Maine, he experienced "push-back" from local school boards over his attempt to regulate (translation: demonize) snack vending machines.

The new legislation will correct this imbalance of power so that no longer can local school officials threaten the authority of federal bureaucrats!

Hey, Kevin and Tom! What about those schools that allow students to leave campus for the nearest McDonalds, Sonic or Burger King? Are you going to sit still while your omniscient nutritional guidance is flouted?

Mark my words, the war against Big Hamburger has been joined. The Obamatrons are just warming up.