Los Angeles public school officials, which banned the sale of soft drinks three years ago, Wednesday announced a five-year, $26 million deal with Pepsi Bottling Group Inc. to provide juice, water and other drinks — but not soda pop — to its 747,000 students.
The deal will help reverse revenue losses suffered by the nation's second-largest public school district since the ban on soft drinks and junk food was implemented in 2002, the district said in a statement.
In particular, the funds will help pay for athletics, drama, and other school activities.
Pepsi Bottling will provide drinks that adhere to the district's "healthy beverage" guidelines, including Aquafina water, Dole juices, and Gatorade sports drinks.
The Los Angeles Unified School District was among the first school districts in the nation to ban junk food in an effort to combat growing concerns about the roughly 15 percent of U.S. children and adolescents who are overweight or obese.
As many as 50 percent to 60 percent of students in some Los Angeles schools are overweight, the district said Wednesday.
