Our policy at our district does effect fundraising. We are not allowed to sell or offer any foods that are "Unhealthy " ON SCHOOL GROUNDS I have yet to research yet, but I'll check out the 3 different levels.

BOO - there are 3 levels of wellness politics:

1) the 2004 federal LAW (surf the net or these sites for the link and the wording)

2) your state's interpretation of the law - surf CT state dept of ed, wellness policy, to see their wording -- they probably gave your district a recommendation of policy, but left it up to them to decide the specifics

3) your BOE's policy that they voted in at a public meeting and you had the right to comment on. (if your BOE went overboard, you parents have the right to make changes come election time.)

At many public schools, the 'law' only reaches to events held during school hours proper, so fundraising is NOT affected at those schools.

Get all the facts stratight from the sources and go from there ie talk to your BOE and pricnipal and super if you think they crossed the wellness line. Good luck.

If you look through the msg. boards you'll see this is a HOT TOPIC. Everyone is being impacted negatively on the fundraising front. If we as PTO are helping our schools by making funds available for our students outside of the annual school budget... seems the people creating these EXTREME policies are biting themselves in the *#!

[ 08-29-2006, 10:56 AM: Message edited by: Roof 6 Pack ]

Has anyone in CT been told by their school or were made aware of how the Public Act regarding healthy food affects fundraising? (It's not just beverages) Basically students cannot take home brochures with any foods for sale that do not meet the healthy nutrition standards. Yes, it's easy to pull out the candy brochure from the gift wrap packet BUT if the gift wrap catalog contains an offer for gummy worms in a tin, or a box or candy...the whole brochure is not allowed to be sent. BUT...under the EXEMPTION rule, items may be sold at an EVENT AFTER SCHOOL. So...Johnny can go to an after school basketball game and buy a bag of chips and soda if the groups raising funds wishes to sell the items BUT Johnny cannot bring home a cookie dough brochure for his parents to make the decision to buy it or not.
If anyone had their school interpret this differently, please let me know!! I think the writing is horribly unclear. I can see how back in the old days when groups sold cupcakes at lunch or after lunch to raise money should be stopped but sending a catalog home, having parents make the same decision to buy or not (as they do in a grocery store) doesn't seem right.
Also...if anyone has any ideas for BIG money makers (since gift wrap and food sales via brochure--were 2 of our biggest money makers) please pass along. We've had many people suggest auction, but no one has volunteered to run one and we don't want to nickel and dime parents to death with many little fundraisers. All suggestions welcome!!