I haven't read the entire thread so I'm just jumping right into the middle here. That said:

Cherri - you make excellent points about what the laws are. However, whether you are independent of the school or not, you still do 90% of your work in the school. It's imperative to respect the guidelines sent down by the BOE and to continue to be a positive, contributing part of the community. Doing things that fly in the face of policy only hinders your group and could even go so far as to get your group barred from the premises. Who wins that fight? Like my dad always said when he was teaching me to drive, "You may be right, but you don't want to be dead right."

<hungrykids> - you can't be serious. "Small doses of multiple toxins" ?!?!?!? It's surely these types of extreme attitudes that are driving the extreme interpretations of the nutrition laws.

Yes, there are wild and extreme interpretations. Yes, they are affecting the way parent groups raise funds. No, it isn't the parent groups role to decide to defy those rules and "soldier on" with their own agenda.

Individual parents, or even groups of parents, working outside of the PTO/A realm can and should fight for reasonable guidelines or Common Sense application of the federal laws.

Originally posted by Roof 6 Pack:
Our family eats very healthy foods, but we indulge once in awhile on a cotton candy, popcorn or a tin of choc. covered pretzels. From time to time, I feel comfort foods are good in moderation...
especially at a class party, celebration or event at school. Creating this policy at an extreme takes away freedom of choice. I feel it is not right tell me what I can & can not feed my child. That is MY decision.
In my opinion- the 1st level (starting at federal) should have been more specific as to how "strict" the district policies should be.

I just love the expression, "comfort foods." What "comfort" is there in knowing you are eating and feeding your kids small doses of multiple toxins? Please explain.

People, People, People

This is driving me crazy! Is your PTO or Home and School Club directly linked with your school district? Most likely not! If you are a non-profit, this law does not effect you! You do not work for the school district so this law does not apply to you. It is only schools that this effects! So take out the soda machines and keep fundraising! Sell cookie dough and things with sugar! Do not let "corporate america" scare you. Check with your distict lawyer, or any lawyer and they will tell you unless you work for the district (no matter what state you live in)as long as you are an independant non profit this law does not apply!

Lawyers wife in California

Our family eats very healthy foods, but we indulge once in awhile on a cotton candy, popcorn or a tin of choc. covered pretzels. From time to time, I feel comfort foods are good in moderation...
especially at a class party, celebration or event at school. Creating this policy at an extreme takes away freedom of choice. I feel it is not right tell me what I can & can not feed my child. That is MY decision.
In my opinion- the 1st level (starting at federal) should have been more specific as to how "strict" the district policies should be.

Why not use this as an opportunity to cut back on the harmful ingredients that corporations are lacing our and our children's food supply with?

Sally Foster does offer a catalog that does NOT include any food products. So you could still sell gift wrap if you wanted to. www.sallyfoster.com