FARGO -- Like Moorhead, the Fargo Park District allows soda to be sold from vending machines on city property.
The district is in the third year of a five-year contract with Pepsi that gives the soft drink maker exclusive rights to sell products on Park District property.
Under the contract, Pepsi pays the district $56,000 per year, a significant drop from what the city received under the previous contract with Coke.
That earlier contract guaranteed the Park District $125,000 a year.
"The marketplace has changed significantly," said Carolyn Boutain, director of cultural activities for the Fargo Park District.
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The drop in soda revenues forced the Park District to make some changes, but it didn't result in staff reductions or other serious cutbacks, Boutain said. Money from vending proceeds is used for things such as free food or T-shirts at Park District events.
She said the Park District has been taking steps to promote healthy diets. When events involve children, the beverages such as water and sports drinks are offered instead of sodas.
