We would allow this person to buy a cup of coffee in a disposable cup and lace it with non-dairy creamer and sugar, but we will not allow them to safely purchase a soda, which in the long run may be better for the environment then the coffee purchased in the destroyed rainforests of the Amazon.  And consider an eighteen year old senior – able to vote and die for our country but unable to buy a soda at his/her school. 

Look, I hate soda. I am grateful for these bans as I do think that our eating patterns need to change but I find it curious that we go about it the one way that would have infuriated us as teenagers. This is comparable to banning books.  I mean what educational value is there in some of the book trash available?  OK, one can’t judiciously compare a subjective value with an objective one, assuming science 100 percent objective, (yeah, right).

I appreciate the merging markets for alternative beverages.  When I was a kid I actually didn’t like soda.  It was ice tea or milk by choice, water or lemonade next.  I always felt that marketers missed the ball with early branding opportunities.  But they are catching up.  Look at the stock at Hansen’s Natural Foods (HANS):

At least now we have water, juices, organic teas and more.  We have healthy choices.  It is our responsibility to educate our children and the public that it is to our good health that we choose to buy these products over their carcinogenic cousins, the soda pop.

Two simple things to Educate Yourself:

        Read labels.  If you can’t say it you probably don’t want to eat it. 

Support consumption of healthy alternatives. 

Our goal is to demand better production from our venders.   Pepsi can start buying up some of these smaller start-up companies.  Doh!  They have the distribution, get the product.  Just do it! 

I like Coca Cola. My great-grandfather, William Clinton Farmer, who started Farmosa Farms as a profitable farm in 1922, used to distribute for Coca-Cola.  In fact he created a ginger-ale recipe for distribution.  Yes, I want to support this company for sentimental reasons only but come on folks, get the picture and get healthy.  We are talking marketing opportunity here.

The first company to step up to the plate is going to win this brief battle in the soft-drink battle.  For the next generation’s health, let’s get cracking. 

Xo,.

FarmGirl