A Nelson supermarket's taken a stand against the consumption of sugary drinks by children, but not all retailers are prepared to follow suit.
Freshchoice Richmond has agreed to stop selling fizzy drinks, flavoured milk and juice to students in school uniform between 7am and 3pm.
Four schools in the area, who've already banned sugary drinks on school grounds, have teamed up with the Nelson Marlborough District Health Board to take their battle against sugar beyond the classroom.
FreshChoice Richmond owner Gary Watson told 1 NEWS when approached by the schools to make the change, he felt it was his "duty".
"For me personally, it's not all about the money. You are part of that community and you've got to look at the bigger picture".
Nelson Marlborough DHB’s Aaryn Barlow says each year hundreds of students in the region are having operations to remove decayed teeth.
"What we’re seeing kids on their way to school in particular, and high school kids at lunchtime, are loading up on high sugar drinks, energy drinks and that's not good for their learning outcomes and its not good for their health," says Mr Barlow.
They're aiming to engage retailers in the area over the next few months, but admits it's a big ask.
Foodstuffs says its stores won't be joining the initiative, but support nutrition educational programmes that help kids make healthy choices.
The company which runs FreshChoice and Countdown says it’s open to more of its supermarkets signing on.
Meanwhile parents are being reassured that they won't run into the 'sugar police' during their grocery shop. Mr Watson says if Mums and Dads come in with their child and want to purchase fizzy drink, "that's fine".
"It's just trying to make sure the right decisions are made".
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