At the start of the 2025-2026 school year, Hillsborough High School started to sell Bloom, a sparkling energy drink, in the cafeteria following student requests for the drink.
“We’ve had many students ask for Bloom to be sold in the cafeteria,” said Kathy Major, head of food services within the school cafeteria.
Students in the cafeteria throughout the lunch periods have bought many energy drinks, with the school selling almost 40 energy drinks a day alone. Caffeine itself isn’t new within the cafeteria, Hillsborough Highschool has sold many drinks with caffeine, such as Coke Zero, Colombe Iced Coffee, and even coffee. However, Bloom contains 180mg of caffeine, which some health organizations consider almost double the recommended amount of caffeine a teenager or young adult should be consuming daily. To compare, a 12-ounce cup of coffee contains about 120-150 mg depending on the strength and a can of diet soda comes in around 35-45 mg, depending on the brand and flavor. Iced coffee options like Colombe contain around 120 mg, depending on the flavor.
Major said that she thinks that Bloom is a vitamin drink and should not be referred to as an energy drink. Bloom markets the drinks as a healthy alternative to other energy drinks, which use natural products and contain vitamins. On Bloom’s official website, CEO of Bloom Mari Llewellyn said, “I started Bloom to help everyone bloom into their best selves. That’s why I made a better-for-you energy drink so you can enjoy the benefits without the sugar crash.”
Adults within the high school shared their take Bloom being sold in the cafeteria. “I’m fine with them being sold in the high school. Even if they weren’t, I’m sure students would just bring them in themselves,” said Thomas Fiduk, an HHS nurse.
However, Fiduk does show disapproval for Bloom’s caffeine levels for young people. “Students should be consuming around the CDC recommended amount. Some students drink Bloom daily, while they should have around 90 mg or a cup of coffee.”
Students within the high school offer mixed feelings about the availability of Bloom in the cafeteria. Some students believe that Bloom should be sold, since it can help students function in the morning, giving them a boost. “I don’t drink Bloom. I’ve never really had one before,” said junior Kayla Cebedo. “But it really depends if you need them.”
Other students within the high school suggested that Bloom should be available to purchase, but there should be some restrictions on the drink considering that drinking them may be habit-forming. “Lately, I haven’t drunk a lot of Bloom, but back in December I drank two a week,” said junior Vanessa Reinoso. “There should be a limit on how much you should be able to buy,” Reinoso added.
Principal Jeffery DiLollo said that while he knew that there were new drinks being sold within the high school, he was unfamiliar with the types and specific brands.
“I worry about Red Bull and Monster because of the cardiac incidents they can cause,” Dilollo said. DiLollo shared that he was not aware of the caffeine content of Bloom, but said he plans to research the product further.
