Burnaby school students run underground junk food trade
Last Updated: Tuesday, September 16, 2008 | 10:35 PM PT
CBC News
Junk food is being sold on the sly at Moscrop Secondary School in Burnaby, B.C. (Courtesy of Weeman) 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.
Kathy Corrigan, chair of the Burnaby Board of Education, gives the students credit for their entrepreneurial spirit. (CBC) 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.
