Over winter break, the school store introduced a new beverage option: Shirley Temple–flavored Poppi, a prebiotic soda that has gained national attention in recent years. The flavor, released in January 2026, was added as part of the store’s ongoing effort to rotate new products and respond to student interest.

According to Student Council advisers, the decision to bring in the Shirley Temple flavor was influenced by both availability and student recommendations. The school’s Pepsi distributor suggested carrying Poppi products, and the Shirley Temple flavor became available when the store was placing its order. Advisers said they believed students would be interested in trying the new release after hearing about its popularity.

Interest in the drink had already begun circulating among students before it even reached the shelves, particularly among seniors who were eager to see the trending beverage available at school.

“A few of my senior students asked me if I could try to get it when I placed the order,” student council adviser Stephanie McAleer said. “I was happy that we were able to get it, since it is so popular.”

The response from students was immediate once the drink arrived. The store ordered three cases to test the product, and according to advisers, they sold out the same day they were placed on the shelves. A second order of six cases lasted only two days, confirming the drink’s immediate popularity among students.

Behind the scenes, advisers work closely with the school’s beverage distributor to identify new items that could appeal to students and fit the store’s offerings.

“The introduction of Poppi has been a crowd pleaser,” student council adviser Amy Palfey said. “Our rep from Pepsi also gives us products to try and asks us if we are interested in trying new items as well.”

The addition of Shirley Temple Poppi is part of a broader effort to keep the school store’s inventory fresh. Advisers regularly evaluate new snacks and drinks, often discussing potential additions when preparing to place restocking orders. Those planning conversations help determine whether new products are worth trying and whether they fit within the store’s existing selection.

“We discuss new products and ideas frequently when we are planning on restocking our products,” student council adviser Jessica Hogan said. “If one is brought to our attention and fits the guidelines, we would try it.”

Before any new item reaches store shelves, it must first meet strict federal nutrition requirements for foods sold during the school day. These guidelines are designed to ensure that snacks and beverages offered in schools meet certain health standards.

Student suggestions are sometimes the starting point for new items, but each idea must first be checked against those regulations before it can move forward.

“We have to check all products by the Smart Snacks guidelines set by the USDA,” Hogan said. “Students suggest ideas, and we check to see if that idea would work.”

While the Shirley Temple Poppi has quickly become a standout item, beverages in general remain some of the store’s most reliable sellers. Many students visit the store daily, making drinks a consistent source of traffic.

Advisers say that a variety of beverage options helps keep students returning throughout the week.

“Kids love the beverages we offer, not just Poppi,” Hogan said. “We have kids who come in daily for SunnyD, Sparkling ICEs, Propel or even bottles of water.”

Despite the drink’s early popularity in sales, student reactions to the flavor itself have been mixed. Some students said the taste did not live up to their expectations of the classic Shirley Temple drink.

After trying the soda for the first time, one student said the flavor did not resemble the traditional beverage the name suggests.

“I think they’re pretty nasty,” junior Gianna Huber said. “The real thing is much better, I just don’t taste the ‘Shirley’ in the Shirley Temple.”

Others said the flavor simply did not appeal to them and that they would prefer a different type of beverage entirely.

“I thought it was gross,” senior Chloe Gibson said. “It just tastes weird. I’d rather have an Alani.”

Some students who sampled the drink said that while they were not completely sold on the brand itself, they felt the Shirley Temple flavor was still the most appealing option available within the Poppi lineup.

“It was probably the most tolerable one,” senior Aaron Kuntz said. “I think that it was probably the best option (of Poppi) that the school store could’ve included.”

Not all reactions were negative; however. Some students said they enjoyed having the opportunity to try something new at the school store.

For students who enjoy experimenting with different snacks and drinks, the rotating selection is part of what keeps the store interesting.

“I really liked the new flavor of Poppi, it was fun to try a new flavor,” senior Olivia Fortson said. “I hope that the school store continues to give us fun, new snacks to try.”

Sales from drinks and snacks do more than provide convenient refreshments during the school day. The school store serves as the primary fundraiser for the Student Council Club, helping support events, activities and other student initiatives throughout the year.

Because of that responsibility, advisers carefully balance product pricing to keep items affordable while still generating enough revenue to support student programs.

Pricing decisions are made by calculating the store’s wholesale costs and determining a markup that covers expenses while remaining accessible for students.

“We determine the cost that it takes for us to buy the product, and we discuss what we think is a fair markup for the product that will cover our costs, make us a profit and still be affordable to students,” Hogan said. “We are striving to keep items under $2 but that is getting more and more difficult.”

Given the drink’s strong reception in sales, advisers say the Shirley Temple Poppi may remain on shelves longer than many other trial items.

“As of right now, I believe it will be a permanent offer due to its popularity,” one adviser said. “We will sell it as long as Pepsi can deliver it.”