California Cracks Down ... On Bake Sales

(CBS)  In California it's still legal to sell cupcakes, cookies and brownies in a bakery ... but not at a school bake sale.

That fundraising slice of Americana - loaded with sugar and fat - has been banned in California schools by government order, reports CBS News correspondent John Blackstone.

At Piedmont High School, principal Randall Booker has enforced a zero tolerance policy for what used to be a campus tradition.

"I love the bake sales," he said. "I eat them myself. But there are state laws that we just have to abide by."

To combat the epidemic of childhood obesity, new state nutrition guidelines strictly limit the fat, sugar and total calories of any food sold on campus during school days - even before and after school.

At Montclair Elementary, the hall is lined with photos of the annual fundraiser, where eating has always played a central role.

"Food sales are a big part of our community," said Wendy Morrison, the mother of a fifth-grader. "They're more than just the selling of food. It's community coming together."

Morrison mourns the loss.

"It was actually a beloved tradition at the school."

California's effort to get fat and sugar out of school foods goes far beyond the disappearing bake sale tables. School lunches no longer consist of hot dogs, french fries and nachos. Choices now include spinach salad, healthy burritos and grilled chicken.

Principal Booker also says Piedmont High no longer sells soft drinks like Coke and Pepsi.

And the kids miss the junk food.

"Oh, I used to have nachos and sour cream and chili like everyday. They don't sell that any more. But now I have to settle for, like, this whatever," said one student.

Bake sales may once have dominated fundraising, but with the kind of money schools need these days, they're more likely to turn to walkathons, silent auctions or just plain begging for donations.

[grammawhamma]

I''m glad I lived my life while we were still allowed to live life!

[schadmin]

Schools in California are required to provide foods that are low in fat. No more than 30% fat, no more than 400 calories per entree, carbonated beverage are prohibited, juice cannot be more than 12 ounces in size and must contain real fruit juice. There are no vending machines containing candy at school sites. Sodas and other foods can be sold 30 minutes after school is dismissed. Violation of the nutrition standards can result is FEDERAL and State loss of apportionments for the child nutrition program. There are a lot of other regulations and more to come effective July 1, 2009. These are the facts. If your school is serving fried chicken, and I doubt it is fried, they are in violation of the State and Federal nutrition standards.

[my2centss]

"I think everyone always knew that after smokers they would be coming after fat people. I wonder who they go after next to make a perfect society of healthy people?"

Posted by gopack443 at 03:14 PM : Nov 12, 2008

People who spend too much time at computers, or TV are next.

[gopack443]

I think everyone always knew that after smokers they would be coming after fat people. I wonder who they go after next to make a perfect society of healthy people?

[gopack443]

Just glad I don''t live there.

[amrt5016]

I understand the epidemic of fat kids and fat adults. But education is the answer to healthy living and eating. I am against the government telling us what we can eat and what to feed our kids. That is too much government intervention.
Posted by my5200 at 01:45 PM : Nov 12, 2008

Too much? When those kids grow up to be adults with health problems, don''t they strain the health care system, which affects everybody and increases government expenditure? So the government has a clear and obvious interest in stepping in.

And how about drug-dealing and pornographic businesses being within proximity of schools? Aren''t there more stringent laws regulating them? Is that too much too? It''s the same principle.

[govwatch-2009]

I agree those school administrations and parents just are not wise enough to do what is right for the children or themselves, the government must step in and take responsibility for them. IDIOTS

[nikosk11]

TOOTALL1014:

You obviously missed the headlines, a couple of days ago, about how bad our economy is and how many thousands of people are loosing their jobs and - what a surprise - McDonalds'' business are skyrocketing? A brainer? No, if people are poor, a Big Mack and fries is a luxury meal to them. Or, you didn''t read the med report a few months ago saying that obesity goes hand-in-hand with poverty. Use your brains [if you have any] before you write your 2 cents comment.

[my5200-2009]

I understand the epidemic of fat kids and fat adults. But education is the answer to healthy living and eating. I am against the government telling us what we can eat and what to feed our kids. That is too much government intervention.

[sharednotion]

Isn''t a part of learning good eating habits, learning moderation? As long as the public schools ban unhealthy and less-healthy foods from the daily lunchroom menus, allowing such foods at occassional school-related events (such as bake sales, and what is sold at school sporting events), will teach young people the HEALTHY message, that you CAN treat yourself to a few sugary goodies on SPECIAL occassions, as long as your USUAL, day-to-day eating habits are healthy.