CANDY PUSHERS: Student Sellers Bypass Sugar Ban
From her oversized purse, a female senior quietly peddles Skittles and Twix bars to eager buyers in her English class.
Without a teacher noticing, the buyer hands over $1, and the seller hands over a bag of Skittles.
The quiet candy sales surfaced in Southfield High School after First Lady Michelle Obama insisted schools yank candy, pop and other sugary items from school lunch rooms and vending machines this year.
As a result of the lunchroom changes, enterprising students have become walking vending machines, selling potato chips, Honey Buns, chocolate bars and other forbidden caloric treats in hallways, the lunch room and even in classes when possible.
One candy pusher, who asked to remain anonymous, says, “I do it for the money’” but did not want to disclose his profit margin.
”Vending machines don’t have anything I like”, said junior Brenard Hardrick, who is a Skittles fan. So he buys his Skittles from a student seller.
Similarly, sophomore Nathaniel Robbins likes Twix, and the vending machine doesn’t have it anymore, so he buys the candy from a student candy seller at school.
But the candy pushers are pushing their own luck, said Assistant Principal Sonia Jackson. “We’re going to bust them like drug dealers,” Jackson said. Those who sell candy in school for their own profit could be suspended for their actions, Jackson said.
They are violating school and federal rules, said business teacher Erin McBrien.
Another candy pusher said he also does it for the money. He buys his goodies in bulk at Costco. Each night before school, he stocks his backpack with all his snacks.Thanks to the new online textbooks, he has plenty of room left in his bag for products.
To an extent, the pushers seem to use price-fixing. Everything the pushers sell throughout the school is $1 or less, but juices are two for $1.
The pushers have also identified market niches. One particular young man specializes in chocolate bars; another specializes in Gatorade.
None of the peddlers say they advertise their products. Their businesses grow by word of mouth, they say.
The pushers are not stereotypical trouble-makers. Some are honor roll and Advanced Placement students and their numbers seem to be growing.
Said one pusher, “With so much competition, it’s getting hard to sell my product.”
While students like having opportunities to buy their favorite treats, vending machine owner Renata Miller says she is losing profits. She used to be able to sell Hot Cheetos and Honey Buns in her machine, and now, due to Michelle Obama’s push for healthier snacks in schools, Miller’s machine stocks baked chips, cereal bars and low-fat cookies.
“The low-calorie foods (in the vending machine) aren’t good to me,” said sophomore Jayla Stevens, who buys from student sellers.
Most customers of the candy pushers are repeat customers, says one of the male candy pushers. He says sales are generated by word of mouth between students. He does not need to advertise; his customers come to him.
The anonymous seller says his business is growing despite First Lady Obama’s desire that kids stop eating sugary foods. He says he knows Obama would not approve of what he’s doing, but he likes the easy money.
Marcha • Jan 5, 2015 at 2:27 pm
This story is very funny, and if I was still in school, I would do the same thing. Good luck, candy pushers!
anonymous • Nov 30, 2014 at 5:50 pm
I started this business and because of the recent increase of sellers, my profit is going down. I sell different kinds of cakes and Gatorade, and many people are cutting in on my business. This may cause trouble in the future.
caitlyn • Nov 18, 2014 at 2:34 pm
Wow they really put that in the paper!
Marshae Stout • Nov 17, 2014 at 2:58 pm
This story was hilarious. My Best friend sells candy, and she’s gonna get caught one day.
Lexus Brown • Nov 16, 2014 at 9:51 am
Thank God for the candy pushers! I would starve during the school day without them!
Ajawan Hood • Nov 14, 2014 at 2:56 pm
I think there is no problem with it.
Bianca Wright • Nov 14, 2014 at 2:45 pm
I know a few candy pushers. I kinda think it’s a good way to make a few dollars. Cool story 😀
Kyrah Gradford • Nov 14, 2014 at 2:45 pm
Since Michelle Obama took away our freedom of having regular chips in school, and now serving healthy lunches, kids are somewhat forced to bring snacks to share with others. Why not make a profit off of it? In my opinion, these “reduced fat” chips and “diet” pops are more unhealthy than regular chips or pop because there is more sugar in them.
stephanie combs • Nov 14, 2014 at 2:41 pm
I think that this a great idea! Only because Michelle Obama took all the things we wanted away.
Malia Smith • Nov 14, 2014 at 2:40 pm
Great story, funny to read, and kept my full attention.
frank goodin • Nov 14, 2014 at 2:40 pm
I think that it’s okay if students want to sell candy to other students especially if the vending machine snacks have been removed.
Kayla Owens • Nov 14, 2014 at 2:36 pm
Good lil story
Marlon • Nov 14, 2014 at 2:35 pm
Wow that’s something
Jared Anding • Nov 14, 2014 at 2:34 pm
I think it is not that smart that the pushers were okay with talking to the press about this.
nya hall • Nov 14, 2014 at 2:33 pm
it was a good article.
Autumn Johnson • Nov 14, 2014 at 2:32 pm
Taking our snacks was a bad idea but if it’s keeping us healthy then it’s worth it.
Cortezlee • Nov 14, 2014 at 2:31 pm
Interesting
Tori davenport • Nov 14, 2014 at 2:30 pm
This is interesting because lots of kids are selling candy since The First Lady took snacks out the machines
James • Nov 14, 2014 at 2:30 pm
i know who did it
Ajawan Hood • Nov 14, 2014 at 2:29 pm
Really crazy how kids are doing that.
Kaelan murray • Nov 14, 2014 at 2:29 pm
I think that students should sell candy because we need more than healthy snacks during schools with a lot of sugar.
savannah Falls • Nov 14, 2014 at 2:28 pm
Great article, candy pushers was really funny.
Kaleb • Nov 14, 2014 at 2:25 pm
So fascinating