California schoolkids who want to raise money for field trips and extracurricular activities will have to think of something other than holding a bake sale. Cookies, cupcakes, pizza and other goodies exceed the fat, sugar and caloric limits set by the state’s legislature for foods sold on campus, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. Parents and teachers are not too happy about it, especially in these tight budgetary times.
Bake sales are one of the quickest and easiest ways for schools to raise money,” said Wendy Morrison, president of the Montclair Elementary School Parent-Teacher Association in Oakland. “To limit this option has a significant impact on fundraising. And as a parent, it should really be my choice if I want to buy my child a cookie or slice of pizza after school.”
State guidelines passed in 2005 limit the calories, fat and sugar content of snacks sold in California schools. Each district is responsible for enforcing the new law, and some have hired “wellness coordinators” to ensure that schools are in compliance, the Chronicle reports. State Department of Education officials make periodic visits to schools and will put schools on notice if illegal treats are discovered.
Of course, not every school district is upset. In Berkeley (naturally) candy and baked goods were “banned by the district four years ago. Instead of peppermint candies on a school secretary’s desk, kids can reach for cashews and peanuts,” the paper notes. “A district-issued cookbook of healthy alternatives to brownies and cupcakes, such as vegan cookies and fruit and granola concoctions, is available to parents.” Yum!
Good to know California has solved all their other problems and can finally turn their attention to those insidious bake sales.
Unless the schools were holding a bake sale every single day, I don’t see why this is a concern. As a parent, I want junk food out of what’s sold in vending machines and the cafeteria. But the occasional treat from a bake sale is not the reason why so many kids are overweight and/or diabetic. It’s what they’re eating day in and day out that’s the problem.
There’s a great TED talk by the head of the Berkeley school district’s child nutrition program. Very inspirational to see a non-teacher so passionate about doing things right for the students’ sake.
These junk food bans have been around for a few years now…so there should be some very preliminary data on whether they’re having any effect, right?
The situation is actually more complicated than this. There are state nutrition guidelines, but there are also Federal regulations that prohibit any food sales that compete with meal programs that serve free and reduced lunch.
When I was on the our district committee to draft the (Federally required) “Wellness Policy” for the district, class parties were much more controversial than bake sales. There are other ways to convince parents to give money other than bake sales — and many parents are quite happy not to have to provide baked goods that will be sold pretty close to cost. But just try telling parents they don’t get to send cupcakes for their kid’s birthday…
This strikes me as a good example, Rachel, of where good intentions lead to bad policy. Of course we want kids to be healthy and develop good nutritional habits. But as soon as it becomes orthodoxy, it’s another rule, another policy. The lives of children at school become divorced from reality and common sense. Parents should be able to bring cupcakes for their kid’s birthdays. It’s not going to have fatal consequences. We want kids to develop a sense of moderation in all things, yet we don’t practice it ourselves. I don’t know whether to laugh or cry.
It’s ridiculous – it goes against everything the nurtritionists are trying to teach us. Any food is fine in moderation. A couple of bake sales held during the course of a year are not going to make a difference in someone’s health if they’re eating properly the rest of the time. Bake sales are easy to organize, fun, usually very successful at raising money quickly, and raise school morale. Shame on the politicians (and everyone else) who are slapping on this band-aid solution. How about increasing the students’ Phys.Ed time? How about funding after school programs that inspire life long activity and healthy eating habits. Some people just need to use their common sense more often.
I work in a school district where baked goods or actually any type of food has been banned in the school setting. Instead of celebrating holidays for food we celebrate with pencils, games, and books. Our Halloween celebration includes making crafts and reading a book. Last year for our Christmas Holiday party, the kids ate apples instead of junk food from every parent. Instead of kids bringing in homemade goodies on their birthdays we encourage them to bring in pencils and erasers for their classmates and/or to donate a book in their name to the library. I don’t think the kids even mind because they were never used to the idea of getting goodies for these celebrations. Not once have I heard a student complain about not eating or being allowed to bring in treats. They actually are very happy when they receive other types of goodies that do not to be consumed.