New York City Bans Bake Sales In Schools
If you count on blueberry muffins or chocolate brownies to banish the back-to-school blues, you might be disappointed.
The latest regulations from New York City's Education Department have banned most bake sales in schools, as well as cracking down on what can be sold in vending machines and student-run stores.
Although sports teams and other student groups are banned from having bake sales, parent and parent-teacher associations are permitted to have one sale per month, so long as it takes place after lunch.
John Sommers, assistant principal of organization at La Guardia, emphasised that teachers kept an eye on what was sold:
There was never any cotton candy or something like that, and there weren't sales all the time. But they are definitely a way kids count on to get money.
He said that a bake sale could rase $500 in profit, enough for a set of new uniforms, or a group trip. Now that food-based fundraisers are out, the school is looking at other ways to raise money, such as selling t-shirts or key chains. Education department officials suggest walk-a-thons, and other similar methods of raising cash.
So, is this ban good news or bad?
We know that a third of America's kids are overweight or obese, and that number is growing. Parents may well welcome moves to ensure that children aren't stuffing themselves with cookies and cake whilst in school.
But, as The Epi-Log points out:
You've got to wonder if the city should be making a decision that some say should be reserved for parents and kids themselves. And you know that there'll be many school-related groups and charities that'll be taking a hit without the power to attract donations with food.
If you're a parent, kid or teen, what do you think? Is New York City's bake sale ban going to help children stay healthy and eat well? Or, is it going to knock fundraising efforts without any real benefit?
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What about other types of food sales? Like selling trail mixes or some more healthy options?
ReplyI think it's a fantastic idea to ban bake sales. Get creative! There are many other ways to raise funds. When I was little we participated in jump rope for heart which helped raise money for the school. Why not focus on something that creates more activity and helps fight childhood obesity. Or get creative with healthy foods. Create fruit arrangements or sell healthy snacks such as ants on a log or trail mix as mentioned above. Junk food is not the only way to raise money and I applaud efforts to reduce junk food in schools.
ReplyNice to see how you are such a fan of freedom. What else would you ban?
ReplyThese stupid bans are forgetting that the people who buy these muffins aren't health conscious in the first place. You force them to sell trail mix and they won't sell any. Wrong customer.
ReplyWhy ban bake sales? It's not just kids that buy the stuff they sell anyway...back when I was in school, the PTA would have bake sales and I think the parents bought more goodies than any of the kids and they'd usually let the kids eat one brownie or cupcake or whatever. I don't see the harm in letting kids eat a cupcake or a brownie. Granted, there are other ways to raise money, but bake sales are fun to have...maybe have one or two bake sales a year and do a walkathon or sell fruit (when I was in marching band, we sold oranges and apples to pay for new uniforms) or something to raise money the rest of the time.
Replylame. I see making school meals healthier, banning fast food in the lunchroom (we had a McD's) -- but banning bake sales to raise funds? Unless the math teacher or principal or something is selling the goods, pretty darn stupid.
ReplyPeople are paying astronomical amounts of taxes and New York City spent $13,755 per year per student in 2005. But they still need to hold bake sales to raise funds?
How much healthier could New Yorkers afford to eat if they could get some of their wasted tax money back?
ReplyDon't ask stupid questions, or I'll report you to the Thought Police.
ReplyBanning bake sales is a lazy solution. How about ENCOURAGING other ways to raise money? How about the adults setting the example and starting ideas like jump rope for heart themselves?
Kids will not respond well in the long run to bans and taboos. They respond to inspiration. But look at so many of this nation's gym teachers and coaches...Are you active? Do you exercise regularly? Do you eat healthy foods?
ReplyGive me a break!
ReplyIt is stupid to ban bake sales because the baked goods might make the kids fat. The schools depend on the money from the bake sales for field trips and computers for the school and things like that. Besides what are they going to do next start going through the sack lunches and making the kids throw out any cookies chips or other snacks that might make them fat?
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