Unfortunate news for lovers of North Cobb’s resident coffee shop: Java Junction will not return this year. The store, staffed by North Cobb’s Special Education students, has been replaced by a greenhouse business because coffee does not meet the regulations for the new nutrition standards put into action under Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” Campaign.

The “Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act,” passed in 2010 and amended in early 2014, states that all food sold on campus during the school day must meet certain set requirements. Schools can only sell 20 ounce servings of calorie-free drinks or 12 ounce servings of other beverages as long as they contain less than 60 calories. The coffee most people purchased failed to adhere to these rules.

Mr. Brandon Smith, former head of Java Junction, spoke about the new rules: “[The restrictions] made it really challenging to sell products to the students. We could sell some products, but quite frankly they were not the bestsellers, and I don’t think that it would have been that successful.”

Students considered the coffee at North Cobb a staple and helped our students fight through morning drowsiness. Many long-time customers remain disappointed with the news of its absence.

“I will definitely miss the option of having Java Junction if I need that extra kick,” senior Sophia Webb commented.

Other than just local coffee drinkers, the service provided a vocational program for our students with special needs.

“Java Junction was an important program for our school because it taught kids with special need how to handle money, social skills, and job experience,” sophomore Zac Mullinax said.

The money made from the drinks also helped the Special Education program.

“We used the revenue for home living assignments, where our students learned to cook and clean. We did the towel exchange with the classes, so we needed laundry detergent and cleaning supplies, so a lot of the java junction money went towards that. It also went to pay for our Community-Based Instruction trips,” Mr. Smith added.

What will the future hold for the Special Education program?

“We’ve opened up a greenhouse business instead that can help teach the kids the same type of vocational skills that they can take out into the workforce when they leave.”

Kat Shambaugh

“Java Junction was a great way for our kids to interact with their gen-ed peers in a really meaningful setting. They were very well received and I think that it is something that will be missed, but I think the greenhouse will help our kids get back into the classroom. Some of the plants will be sold, some will be used to beautify the school, some will be used in conjunction with the culinary department, so it will be another way for our students to get into the student body. And the administration has always been very supportive of the vocational program as well, whether it’s Java Junction or our new greenhouse. It’s been bad on the one side, but I think we have other opportunities for us and the chance to follow where they lead.”

While a new greenhouse will be helpful to the community, North Cobb students will miss their local coffee shop and caffeine fix.