I also live in California. I like the reform of the cafeteria food that happened last year - more choices for the kids and less waste, because it's food the kids will eat. Also a salad bar every day.
However, I think it's a darn shame that we are so obsessed with the food issue that we are made to feel guilty about bringing cupcakes to a birthday party at school. I'm not saying kids should eat cake every day, but who has the right to tell me that my son can't bring cupcakes for his birthday for a special treat? Who has the right to tell me that his teacher can't give him candy for Valentine's day?
I think it's great if you watch what your children eat (I do too) and what they can be served. Feel free to let your children's teacher know that they can't participate in those kind of fatty treats. You have the right to do that - but you don't have the right to try and regulate what I want for my kids.
Also, do they really publish the body fat scores for every child in your school? Do they identify them by name? I sure hope not! Also, your scientific method leaves a little to be desired - you would have to calculate the predicted body fat percentages based on expected growth rates per age or grade - you just can't do an exponential growth rate without taking those factors into account.
I like the nutritional "restrictions" TX has imposed, and support a similar bill making its way through the CA legislature. Our bill is sponsored by the same woman senator who got soft drinks out of our schools this year.
In my school, additional kids are now becoming fat at the rate of nearly 4.8% a year, having gone from over 18% to nearly 23% not in the "healthy fitness zone" in body composition in the last year. In the unlikely event this rate does not continue to increase, over 50% of our students will be fat within 6 years!
Check out your state's Dept. of Education alarming statistics on how fast the kids in your school are ballooning before critisizing the state's attempt to get a handle on this. Obesity is a preventable disability! Isn't the lifelong health and happiness of our children more important than fundraising?
I moved from Texas to Mississippi. Our kids' school doesn't even offer cafeteria service. I'd do anything to go back to the offerings of decent hot meals right now!
Just to keep this information current, here's some new info (which I also posted in another thread):
Not surprisingly, some compromises are now being made. TDA issued an update August 26, 2004. Among other things, it allows an exemption for birthday parties.
I imagine there will be a little shifting as ideal meets reality. The new FMNV rules last August totally prohibited sodas, certain candy, etc. But then earlier this year, they added an exception for 3 school-designated holidays or celebrations per year. So that seems a good compromise.
On the vending machines - this year I saw them move to more healthy drinks: juices, water, gatorade, and Coca Cola's high Calcium Swerve drinks (definitely an acquired taste!). But I hear from our principal they are pulling vending machines out completely either next year or the following.
Note - I'm not completely clear if our schools are reacting to Texas Regs or District Policy.
One of the revenue issues of removing, restricting vending machine use goes beyond just the students. Think of the number of after hours activities and week end sports that are scheduled at the school. The vending machines are often the only source of beverage/snacks at that time. Removing them completely would mean nothing was available for these events and the school loses out on all the revenue.
Well then, although class parties and a few other things become the issue, I like it for the most part. I personally restrict the kind of foods my son eats at home and sodas and candies are an occasional treat, not something to be had every day. It has always concerned me that his teacher (and others) use candy as a reward. When I was in school, we got stickers, a chance to pick out of the toy chest and the coveted certificates of achievement. Candy didn't come from the schools. The only time that I encountered candy was at the highschool level and that was fundraising sales.
I don't see why fruit juices can't be sold out of vending machines. If that is the choice, they will buy it.
During classroom parties, juice and milk is served. Crafts, fruit trays, goldfish, pretzels, fruit snacks, puddings, there are so many other healthy choices. Perhaps, if you can make it work without any candy, the restrictions will be lifted a little but it seems that we have gone from one extreme to another and I much prefer this extreme. I see too many children with weight problems and as an insurance agent see far more Type II diabetes in younger people. The restrictions although a bit harsh are better than poor health and even early death.
I'll be following this also.
