Gadfly has seen education fads come and go and rarely comments on them, life being too short for trivia and nonsense. So it has been with the "School Obesity Crisis." But we must note this item: In Austin, Texas, a school that removed candy vending machines from the cafeteria has seen the emergence of a black market in sugary goods, reports the Austin American-Statesman: "Regular-size candy bars like the ones sold in vending machines routinely sold in the halls for $1.50. 'There was no sugar in the vending machines, so (student vendors) could make a lot of money,' said Hayden Starkey, an Austin High junior who said he was not one of the candy sellers. 'I heard kids were making $200 a week just selling candy.'" The school has now returned chocolate bars to the machines, on the questionable grounds that nuts and protein meet the "nutritious foods" guidelines. Pure sugar candies remain verboten, however, so expect massive inflation in the underworld price of Skittles. It all goes to prove the old adage: When candy is outlawed, only outlaws will have candy.
"No sweets in school? Fat chance," by Matthew Obernauer, Austin American-Statesman, February 19, 2004 (registration required)
