State funding wasn't the only thing reduced in Richmond County schools this year. So were sodas.

Schools spokesman Louis Svehla said Monday that all but two schools -- Butler and Laney highs -- had carbonated drinks removed from vending machines this school year. Butler offers an orange soda, and Laney has Sprite and Fanta. Other schools replaced soda with water or juice.

Richmond County school officials say they have also cut back on candy and salty snacks, consistent with a nationwide trend.

A new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report says fewer U.S. high and middle schools are selling candy and salty snacks to students. The survey is based on surveys of public schools in 34 states from 2006 to 2008. The median proportion of high schools and middle schools that sell such snacks decreased from 54 percent to 36 percent, according to an Associated Press article.

In Richmond County, the schools' Nutrition Department completed an audit Monday of all the sugary and salty snacks available in school vending machines. The report showed that just three schools -- C.T. Walker Traditional Magnet, Hephzibah High and Cross Creek High -- offer students such snacks as candy or chips.

In Columbia County, school officials instituted a Wellness Policy about three years ago to reduce the number of high-calorie food and beverage offerings available to students. School lunchrooms don't carry candy, salty snacks or sodas, said Jane Wiggins, director of School Nutrition Services. Vending machines in high schools still have some of those junk food items, but not as much as they once did, she said.

"Through the Wellness Policy, I think like 80 percent of the snacks in the vending machines have to be nutritious," Ms. Wiggins said. "They've really made an effort to reduce the amount of salty snacks and candy, and the same with the beverages."

At about the time the school system instituted its Wellness Policy, many national beverage companies, including Coca-Cola and Pepsi, agreed to reduce the number of high-calorie sodas sold to schools starting this year, Ms. Wiggins said. Now, many of those high-calorie products have been replaced with diet sodas, water, fruit juices and low-calorie sport drinks, she said.

Aiken County principals didn't respond Monday to requests for information, but in 2005 South Carolina passed the Health and Fitness Act, which added physical activity time and made cafeterias healthier. Skim chocolate milk and fresh fruit and vegetables are more prevalent. Vending machine access also was limited at the elementary and middle school level.

Reach Preston Sparks, Donnie Fetter or Julia Sellers at (706) 724-0851.