Students in New York City will no longer be able to participate in one classic avenue of fundraising, bake sales. The Education Department of NYC recently passed new regulations outlawing bake sales. This means no more cookies, no more cakes, no more sugary treats, not even healthy baked goods can lure you into donating your hard earned money to support various school programs.
The new policy is due to growing concerns over youngsters growing bellies (about 40% of the city's elementary and middle school students are overweight or obese). Recent studies linking student health with performance on standardized tests has also given the board a sturdier case against unhealthy snacks.
The regulations not only restrict bake sales, but will also cover the snacks sold at concession stands and in the vending machines, which will offer more low-calorie, low-sugar options like baked chips and granola bars.
Students and staff at Fiorello H. La Guardia High School on the Upper West Side are less than enthused about the ruling, as they have come to depend on food-based fundraisers to help support school activities and supplies.
John Sommers, the assistant principal of organization at La Guardia, said the students could on average earn about $500 a day from a weekday food sale, which was more than enough to cover uniforms or a field trip. Sommers said they were pretty careful about what food items they sold,
- “There was never any cotton candy or something like that, and there weren’t sales all the time,” he said. “But they are definitely a way kids count on to get money.”
The school is looking into selling over items, such as t-shirts or keychains, both of which cost significantly more to produce than a batch of cookies. Department officials are suggesting fundraisers that encourage more physical activity, such as walk-a-thons.
Howard Wechsler, the director of the division of adolescent and school health at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has studied school nutrition policies nationwide.
- “There are more schools that are making more changes in what is available for kids at school,” said Dr. Wechsler. “Schools are supposed to be a place where we establish a model environment, and the last thing kids need is an extra source of pointless calories.”
Other states, such as California, have similar policies regulating the sale of high-sugar, high-fat food sales, but NYC's new standards are among the strictest.
While we are all for healthier alternatives, this seems a wee bit extreme. There is nothing quite as alluring as a fresh baked muffin, and we're pretty sure students selling wrapping paper and nuts will not be as lucrative. We just hope they are spend this much time giving school cafeteria menus a much-needed makeover! After all, what's the point in banning baked goods if you are serving up greasy pizza at lunchtime?
If you're interested in reading the full three-page memo about the new policy, you can do so here.
What do you think about this new ruling?
via NY Times
