Society in the microcosm: Junk food ban leads to black market in schools
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CBC News
September 17, 2008
Some high school students are making money by selling junk food out of lockers at their Burnaby school despite a provincial ban on junk food sales now in effect in all B.C. schools.
The three Grade 11 students – who asked to be identified only as Weeman, The Fern and Goggles – told CBC News they made more than $200 in the first week of school by bulk-buying candy and chocolate bars, then selling them at a profit.
“I think it’s probably hands down the best idea we’ve ever had here – probably, actually, the only good one we’ve ever had,” Weeman, a student at Moscrop Secondary School, said Tuesday.
The thriving underground trade doesn’t just rely on word of mouth, Weeman said. Along with business cards, they have a Facebook page on the social networking website listing available products.
The provincial government has banned junk foods such as cookies, candies, chocolates, cakes, muffins and fries in vending machines and cafeterias in all elementary and secondary schools. The guidelines, imposed in January in elementary schools, took effect in September in secondary schools.
Kathy Corrigan, chair of the Burnaby Board of Education, said she is aware of the underground junk food trade at Moscrop Secondary, but the board isn’t planning a crackdown.
“I have to admire their entrepreneurial spirit. They are being creative, but we are required to enforce the provincial mandate,” Corrigan said Tuesday.
“We are not going to come down hard on these students. The way we generally have done things in Burnaby is try to educate and persuade students.”
The Fern said they have no intention of stopping their business, which is fuelled by both students and teachers. He said they sold out their inventory most of the time.
“We’re ready for the heat. They can’t catch us,” he said.
“We’re unstoppable. We’ll always find a way to sell the candy,” Goggles added.
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September 18th, 2008 at 8:03 pm
I sell weed out of my locker, due to restrictions on Marijuana, so I can relate… I used to sell candy back when I was in school, it was great training for what would come later in life! Hopefully these kids can apply this knowledge to some kind of similar trade.
September 19th, 2008 at 11:11 am
At first glance, it looked like a disturbing prank…
October 28th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
[...] new camera, home visit to disarm themselves | Ont. premier calls for Canada-wide ban on handguns | Society in the microcosm: Junk food ban leads to black market in schools | Comedian begins asking Harper question, cuffed by RCMP | Montreal man changing name to escape [...]
October 28th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
[...] new camera, home visit to disarm themselves | Ont. premier calls for Canada-wide ban on handguns | Society in the microcosm: Junk food ban leads to black market in schools | Comedian begins asking Harper question, cuffed by RCMP | Montreal man changing name to escape [...]
November 15th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
The kids selling candy are now selling t-shirts with their Original Fresh logo on it. All proceeds going to The Royal Canadian Legion.
In fact, most of their money goes toward charity. How may kids do that these days?
So now you dont even have to buy candy from them, just buy a shirt!
November 17th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
That’s that ‘discredited’ free market system at work fulfilling a market need.
December 31st, 2008 at 11:59 am
[...] new camera, home visit to disarm themselves | Ont. premier calls for Canada-wide ban on handguns | Society in the microcosm: Junk food ban leads to black market in schools | Comedian begins asking Harper question, cuffed by RCMP | Montreal man changing name to escape [...]
January 22nd, 2009 at 4:06 pm
[...] new camera, home visit to disarm themselves | Ont. premier calls for Canada-wide ban on handguns | Society in the microcosm: Junk food ban leads to black market in schools | Comedian begins asking Harper question, cuffed by RCMP | Montreal man changing name to escape [...]
March 21st, 2009 at 6:50 am
[...] new camera, home visit to disarm themselves | Ont. premier calls for Canada-wide ban on handguns | Society in the microcosm: Junk food ban leads to black market in schools | Comedian begins asking Harper question, cuffed by RCMP | Montreal man changing name to escape [...]