Photo courtesy Stockvault
It was front page news: NYC is banning that old-time, tried and true school fundraiser— the bake sale. The decision has drawn mixed emotions.
From school staff saying the policy is pointless and takes away yet another opportunity for struggling schools to make money, to public health officials saying its a good sign of districts committment to promoting a healthy lifestyle among children and adults, there has been a range of reactions.
But surprise shouldn’t be one of them.
Photo courtesy of Stockvault
Driven by the 2004 Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act, all school systems were supposed to adopt a wellness policy the summer of 2005, which (depending on the enthusiasm of the district) could include all manner of things from exercise and nutrition to creating a healthy environment from the top down. Read our comprehensive ASBJ special report, Getting to Wellness, to get all of the details.
While NYC isn’t the first school system to take on such traditions as bake sales, they are largest to do so. But let’s face it, no matter a large city or a small community, attempts to put regulations or limits on food will always engender controversy, as one health expert told me.
“We are a very food-oriented country, we reward and punish with food,” says Ev Beliveau, the former nutrition and education director for the School Nutrition Association. “In certain parts of the country it is going to be difficult; if you don’t clean your plate, you are being disrespectful.”
But hopefully as more reports come out supporting the need to curb childhood obesity and, in general, the need to focus on prevention in order to cut soaring healthcare costs, those attitudes will change.
Naomi Dillon, Senior Editor
