[KenWittlief]

I think the issue of food at the events is an interesting topic. In the US we believe in free enterprize and open markets. FIRST has set up events that unfortunately, depend partly on the sale of food to students and mentors to fund the event.

Personally I think that is a bad idea. I would rather see the regionals held in a HS gym, if I can get excellent food and inexpensive drinks and refreshments, than to have the event in a domed arena, if it means the only choice of nurishment I have is a $4 hotdog that is 4 hours away from becoming slop at a nearby hog farm!

When the food at a venue is so expensive and/or so bad that you have to make a rule preventing people from bringing in ANYTHING ELSE to eat or drink you are legislating a monopoly for people who should have been put out of business by the competition.

So this resulting rule - who is it there to protect? The students? the mentors? The team sponsors or parents who have to pay $2.50 for a glass of water with an ounce of corn syrup in it?

No, the rule was created to protect the interests of the vendors who are taking advantage of the thousands of hungry people who dont have the time or resources to leave the building to eat somewhere else.

Somehow taking advantage of hungy children just sounds SO wrong!