Just heard from State Dept of Ed rep.If the Board chooses the exemption(--if they don't none of this can occur) Fundraisers (with candy, or something like cookie dough) cannot be done on school premises (unless it is at an event like a game or dance) and this includes the child bringing back the money and/or taking the product home. The flyers can go home via the student but the child cannot return the money or take the product home (because its"selling to the student" and NOT at an EVENT). So the flyer can go home. If you have a game/dance/party/open house etc and you have smart parents that are so organized that they come to the game with the order form and money and then they pick up the item on the arrival date...you are good. And we all know how well-organized parents are nowadays!!!(How many reminders does it take to get money in on the due date via child??) BUT Susie can still take his $1 to the game and buy a cupcake because it falls under the exemtion and is at an event.

I am all for healthy foods served at lunch (snacks) and as part of the lunch program but now the state seems to be trying to regulate parents' choices. Are we not intelligent enough to decide if we want to buy a $12 box of cookies to raise money when we can easily go to Walmart and get 12 packages of cookies for the same amount(over 100 ready to eat rather than 48 you have to bake!!). Sounds the another "few who ruined it for the rest of us" law.

The beverage law is in effect. The healthy foods is a guideline and voluntary program by CT schools. If their Board chooses to accept it (with or without the exemption) they get reimbursed per lunch sold at the school and the money goes to the food program.

sorry boo... went off on a rant with that one! FUNdraisers... some of our BIG money makers have been:
punch card- business size paper stock cards created with a resturaunt for buy one/get one deal. Charge $10.00 per card - full profit minus cost of cards.
stuffable mascot workshop- www.makeamascot.us
Cherrydale catalog- some food, but could pass
Yankee candle catalog sales
School Principal challenge- If kids can bring in $1,000 in change the principal will kiss a pig.

Yep thats why some call it not Wellness POLICY but Wellness POLITICS. And if you dig deep enough, you will find its about money, follow the money, who made up that line, Ronnie too????

Anyway, if the schools dont adhere to the law, the feds may withhold some of their cafeteria lunch fare reimbursements. That is the big stick, money. So it seems the schools most hit by non compliance with the Wellness Policy, may well be those that have a high nr of free or reduced price lunch students.

Anyway, beignets signing off on Wellness stuff, every school's policy is different its hard to comment cogently on this one topic. The fight I am intereested to observe is this one: how can govt tell us parents what foods we can bring in to class parties????? Seems they can try but is it right and will anyone adhere to the 'rules' and what are the sanctions if they dont.

Unfortunately ... I feel a fight coming on! This one is making my blood boil! Our board went to the extreme in their interperatation of craeting a policy! Is it wellness?

As a side, you could also check your schools snack bar selection and take em to task if they tell YOU not to sell junk in the fundraisers but peddle lesser junk (chips, cookies)at their snack bar aka profit center. Ie make sure they practice what they preach. Ie do they konw how to read ingredient lists and nutrition facts and do they take the time and effort to do it and foollow thier own rules.
Snack bars are NOT federally reimbursed in whole or part, as are the cafeteria line foods. THe snack bars or discretionary foods sold a la carte, are not subject to as much scrutiny. See what theyre offering there you might be surprised at what you find.

Nutrition Guidelines for All Foods on Campus

Here is the section in our new policy that effects fundraising...
All foods made available during the school day and at school sponsored activities will comply with the following guidelines and the current USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans. These include:
§ Vending machines
§ A la carte
§ Beverage contracts
§ Fundraisers
§ Concession stands
§ Student stores
§ School parties/celebrations
Food providers will take every measure to ensure that student access to foods and beverages meets federal, state and local laws and guidelines. Food providers will offer a variety of age appropriate healthy food and beverage selections for elementary schools, middle schools and high schools.