Washington Adopts Zero Tolerance Policy for School Bake Sales
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Washington Adopts Zero Tolerance Policy for School Bake Sales
(Washington, D.C.) – Thousands of schools nationwide are developing plans to comply with new federal regulations that took effect on July 1, and which generally do not allow schools to sponsor bake sales. The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 allows the Department of Agriculture to regulate all food sold at school – not only food provided in the cafeteria. The regulations prohibit bake sales – unless states act to allow a limited number in law. Twelve states have so far acted to circumvent these regulations and more are following. Local school leaders have argued that curbing bake sales will take away an important source of revenue for schools – and in particular for extracurricular activities.
Ninety percent of schools already comply with the standards.
Daniel Garza, Executive Director of The LIBRE Initiative, released the following statement:
"This is one more case where Washington acts as if families and local communities simply can't be trusted to make responsible decisions. Instead of trusting schools and parents to promote healthy eating with reasonable plans that meet local needs, the administration has imposed a zero tolerance policy for bake sales. This isn't going to work. It's unlikely to force kids to suddenly adopt healthy eating habits. In fact, a federal report highlights that student dissatisfaction with the food that Washington allows them leads to increased food waste and fewer students purchasing lunch altogether. This rule will also impact school programs that depend on bake sales in an era of tight budgets.
The administration should trust families, schools, and communities to figure out their own solutions to unique healthy-eating goals and needs, rather than use the powers of the FDA to deliver a one-size-fits all approach. Our kids will do better if there is flexibility to design plans that can work – instead of a rigid, national policy for every district."
For interviews with a LIBRE representative, please contact: Brian Faughnan, 571-257-3309 or Steven Cruz, 202-578-6173
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