“Many area schools say they encourage healthy food choices” |
| Many area schools say they encourage healthy food choices Posted: 14 Dec 2010 02:11 AM PST School cookie or candy bar sales while class is in session could be a thing of the past. A child nutrition bill signed Monday by President Barack Obama — and championed by the first lady — gives the government power to limit school bake sales and other fundraisers that health advocates say sometimes replace wholesome lunchroom meals. Most local school districts don't forbid bake sales or strictly limit fundraisers. But local administrators say they already work with schools and parents to promote healthier alternatives. During school hours, many local schools shut off vending or soda machines, and they have added healthy foods to school lunch programs and suggested teachers not use candy for classroom rewards. Those changes came when school districts adopted wellness policies, a requirement to participate in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's school meals programs. Educators said they also work with students and parent organizations to suggest healthier alternatives to bake or candy sales. Ashwaubenon High School band students, for example, now sell fruit rather than candy to raise money to help fund a trip to New York. "We don't have a policy against bake sales," Ashwaubenon School District Superintendent David Schmidt said. "But about six years ago we started paring down on the sales of sweets in vending machines or sales of certain foods. "At the same time, we tried to encourage kids to eat healthy, at least while they are in school. We did not restrict the use of fundraising in general, but my gut feeling is there are faster ways to raise funds. "We're trying to find a good balance." The federal legislation, part of first lady Michelle Obama's campaign to stem childhood obesity, provides more meals at school for needy kids, including dinner, and directs the Agriculture Department to write guidelines to make those meals healthier. The legislation applies to all foods sold in schools during regular class hours, including in the cafeteria line, vending machines and at fundraisers. It does not apply to after-hours events or concession stands at sports events. The De Pere School District does not forbid food sales for fundraising, but one leader said it isn't a big issue. "We're lucky in De Pere," said schools Superintendent Ben Villarruel. "Most schools do one big fundraiser a year and that's enough. They don't usually have to do the smaller food sales to raise money. We do place restrictions about receiving incentives, such as if they sell so many candy bars they get a free toy." The Green Bay School District also doesn't restrict the types of sales parents' groups host to raise money. "To my knowledge most fundraisers are done after school hours — kids selling to family and friends outside of school hours," School Board President Jean Marsch said. "The way I look at it, the district is always trying to strike the right balance. If you're going to restrict their efforts, they need to be replaced with other items. "I think it could be controversial if you take it away. Parents are doing this with very good intentions. We'd only make changes with parents' approval." The Howard-Suamico School District has principals who work closely with parent groups to encourage fewer food-based fundraisers, said Cheryl Schmidt, district administrative assistant. The West De Pere School District encourages fundraising projects that follow the healthy nutritional standards set in its wellness policy. Its fundraising policy says items that are sold and expected to be consumed before or during the school day "will be expected to make every effort" to follow nutritional guidelines. But the policy leaves some wiggle room, saying items that don't meet the standards may be acceptable in moderation or when offered on an occasional basis. "I'm open to broad guidelines," Marsch said. "But I think these matters are best left to local school boards and parents." — The Associated Press This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php |
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