Calorie count affects Panther Pit Stop

The Wenatchee High School Panther Pit Stop is being hit hard this school year. The Wenatchee School District Food Services has incorporated new health requirements affecting all the drinks sold at the Panther Pit Stop, especially the renowned Panther PAWS.

The Panther Pit Stop helps fund the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) program through the sales of caffeinated beverages before school and during lunch hours. FBLA also earns some of their revenue by selling flowers for Homecoming during October and organizing Donkey Basketball in February.

Several changes will take place in order for the Panther Pit Stop to continue to raise money for FBLA this next year, while still following the new health regulations. Susan Sears, the FBLA adviser, explains that the drink calorie limits have been changed to 40 calories for eight-ounce drinks and 60 calories for 12-ounce drinks. Prices will change from those of previous years, as they will decrease proportionately.

“We will have to lower prices according to drink size and calorie count. We aren’t going to sell eight-ounce drinks for $2 or $2.75 anymore,” Sears said.

Some beverages, including the frappuccino-based drinks, won’t be on the menu this year, because they exceed the maximum calories per drink. “Our one drink, Panther PAWS, we can’t sell that anymore,” Sears said.

Ingredients must be taken into careful consideration this year when being added to the recipes. These changes are already beginning to take place for the grand opening to be successful on Sept. 29. FBLA will continue to raise revenue through the Panther Pit Stop for the program to continue this year.