Senate OKs Bill Allowing Sweets Back In School Bake Sales

By ALISHA GREEN
Associated Press

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Brownies and doughnuts could be back in school bake sales under a measure the state Senate approved Thursday that would let districts raise money by holding events currently banned since they don't meet federal nutrition guidelines.

The Senate voted 36-1 to approve a bill requiring the state to allow as many as three such fundraising activities per week. While states are allowed to set the number of fundraisers school districts can have that don't meet the federal guidelines, the Michigan Department of Education had decided not to allow any.

Advocates for the change say the federal nutrition guidelines have created a confusing list of what can and can't be sold during school, and the lack of bake sales has hurt students' ability to fundraise for extracurricular activities.

Students and school staff from around the state testified at a Senate committee hearing that the regulations have prevented them from holding their more popular fundraisers selling baked goods. Those fundraisers often support students in extracurricular groups by helping cover related costs.

Bill sponsor Sen. Patrick Colbeck, a Canton Republican, said the bill allows for more local control. School districts would be able to allow their schools up to three fundraisers per week that don't meet federal nutrition guidelines, but they also could choose to keep the number at zero.

"This is a common-sense approach to it," he said.

The federal nutrition guidelines are part of a larger government effort championed by first lady Michelle Obama. The guidelines, which kicked in last summer, require all foods sold on school campuses during the school day to meet certain nutrition standards

Statewide groups including the Michigan Association of School Administrators and Michigan Association of School Boards support the bill, which will now go to the House for consideration.