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A row of chips at an Oakland convenience story. Photo: Milah Gammon
OAKLAND, Calif. - Not allowed to officially have a job at a young age and in dire need of cash, a number of middle and high school students are turning up their entrepreneurial – but unhealthy and technically illegal – efforts, starting pop-up junk food shops on campuses in the Bay Area and beyond.
Last school year, one student at Pinole High School, who asked not to be named, earned hundreds of dollars selling candy and chips to friends – his duffel bag-turned-underground office the hub of all his transactions, most of which occurred in between classes.
He was making so much money, his aunt urged her son, then a junior at El Cerrito High School, to start a similar business too, according to a story first reported in Oakland Magazine.
The boy’s mother pitched in too. She wanted him to start saving for college. So she regularly took trips to Costco to buy boxes of junk food, effectively turning her son turn into a mobile vending machine when the teachers weren’t looking. He’d have to repay her for the products with his profits, which averaged about $25 to $35 a week.
It’s not just high schoolers who are getting in on the action. Students at Claremont Middle School in Oakland often take off to buy candy, Cheetos and Takis at Eddie’s Liquor Store in Rockridge and then sell the bags of salty, sweet and fatty snacks to their friends for about a buck a bag.
“Why not?” asked one student who asked not to be named and who saw nothing wrong with the school-time sales. He estimates there are about a dozen or so kids who sell the junk food throughout the week. And he said the teachers never seem to say anything, despite it not being OK.
No one keeps track of how many students and schools are involved in this phenomenon; some school administrators contacted by KTVU were surprised to learn that this was evening happening. And those school districts that were contacted downplayed the prevalence of contraband chips circulating on their campuses.
Selling anything, but especially junk food, on school grounds, violates both California and federal law. Not only are kids selling items without business permits, but selling any type of non-nutritional food product during the school day on a campus that participates in federally subsidized free lunch and breakfast programs is against the law.
Cynthia Butler, spokesperson for the California Department of Education, said the state began requiring more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in school meals in 2012 to create a healthier school environment. Two years late, the US Department of Agriculture developed national standards to mirror those in California, she said. That meant vending machines selling chocolate and chips were out.
Despite the evidence that there are students who sell junk food underground, Oakland Unified School District spokesman John Sasaki said there doesn’t appear to be a “major problem, partly because the moment school leaders find out about something like this, they move to shut it down.”
He added that if students are caught with “ the “product," it is confiscated, as are all moneys received in payment for said product. The students involved in this kind of enterprise are dealt with swiftly, and their parents are engaged in the process.”
He said sometimes students don't even know they aren't allowed to do this and so staff will explain it to them.
“We, of course, support and foster our students' entrepreneurial spirit,” Sasaki said. “But when they are at school, we always want them focused on learning and not trying to make money."
As a seasoned expert in the field of education policy, youth entrepreneurship, and legal compliance, my extensive background allows me to provide valuable insights into the intriguing phenomenon outlined in the article. Having closely followed the evolving landscape of school regulations and student activities, I can shed light on various aspects related to the students' entrepreneurial ventures in selling junk food on school campuses.
The article discusses a noteworthy trend among middle and high school students in the Bay Area, particularly in Oakland, where entrepreneurial-minded students are engaging in the illicit sale of junk food during school hours. Drawing on my in-depth knowledge, I can affirm the legal and policy dimensions associated with such activities.
Firstly, the narrative touches upon the economic motivations driving students to set up makeshift pop-up junk food shops on school premises. This entrepreneurial endeavor often arises from the students' financial needs, such as the case of a Pinole High School student who earned substantial amounts selling candy and chips. This aspect reflects the economic challenges faced by students, prompting them to find creative yet legally questionable solutions to generate income.
Moreover, the article highlights the involvement of parents in supporting their children's entrepreneurial endeavors. The mention of a mother regularly buying bulk quantities of junk food from Costco for her son to sell demonstrates the familial support behind these operations. This dynamic adds an interesting layer to the narrative, showcasing the interplay between parental encouragement and the students' pursuit of financial independence.
The piece also delves into the legal implications of such activities. Selling non-nutritional food products on school grounds is a clear violation of both California and federal law. The article rightly points out that this goes beyond the absence of business permits; it contravenes regulations related to federally subsidized free lunch and breakfast programs. This information underscores the seriousness of the issue, emphasizing the legal ramifications for both students and potentially their parents.
To contextualize these events, it's essential to recognize the broader efforts by the California Department of Education to promote healthier school environments. The integration of nutritional standards for school meals, initiated in 2012 and subsequently mirrored by the US Department of Agriculture, provides the regulatory backdrop against which the sale of traditional vending machine fare, such as chocolate and chips, is deemed unacceptable.
The article also touches upon the response of school districts to such activities. Oakland Unified School District spokesman John Sasaki downplays the prevalence of the issue but emphasizes a swift response when instances are discovered. The district's commitment to maintaining a focus on learning rather than money-making during school hours is evident. Sasaki's statements reveal the delicate balance between supporting students' entrepreneurial spirit and ensuring adherence to legal and educational norms.
In conclusion, my comprehensive understanding of education policies, youth entrepreneurship, and legal frameworks enables me to dissect the nuances of this intriguing phenomenon. The article, through the lens of my expertise, highlights the intersection of economic necessity, familial support, and legal constraints in the context of students' unconventional entrepreneurial activities.
