Parents Should Voice Their Support to End Junk Food Marketing in Schools, Says Voices for Healthy Kids Advocate Dallas, TX, Feb. 25 2014 – Voices for Healthy Kids volunteer and Professor of Nutrition at the University of Vermont, Dr. Rachel Johnson, issued the following comments today on an announcement made by First Lady Michelle Obama to eliminate junk food marketing in schools. Advertising will be limited for products that aren’t allowed to be sold in schools, under the USDA Smart Snacks in School Guidelines. These apply to snacks and drinks served in school buildings, including vending machines, school stores, snack carts and a la carte items. Public comment is open for sixty days on the guidelines. “No parent wants a food fight. When children come home from school with a coupon for pizza or doughnuts as a reward, it's hard to say 'no'. Sometimes we give in, but it doesn’t seem fair that while parents are trying teach their kids how to eat healthy, children sometimes get a different message at school. The First Lady is giving an opportunity for parents to speak up and be a voice for healthy kids. Each of us should take this opportunity to share our own experiences with food marketing in schools and help establish a new norm for healthy eating environments. Schools can help parents make the healthy choice the easy choice.”