Let Them Eat (and Bake and Sell) Cake in Schools? Patch Poll

Items typically sold at in-school bake sales won’t meet federal Smart Snacks in Schools standards. (Photo via Wikimedia/Creative Commons)

____________

A Michigan lawmaker who wants to return to what he calls the “time-honored tradition” of bake sale fundraisers to schools has proposed legislation that would exempt the state from the federal Smart Snacks in Schools standards that took effect this school year.

The standards, required by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, ban most foods sold in bake sales as part of a nationwide push to reduce food insecurity and childhood obesity. The White House estimates more than 17 million children live in food insecure households, and one of three children in America is considered obese or overweight.

Michigan is not among the 21 states that have obtained exemptions to the legislation to allow for a set number of in-school bake sales, and Rep. Phil Potvin, R-Cadillac, wants to change that with House Bill 4230 The Lansing News/MLive.com reports.

Tell Us:

• What do you think about the Smart Snacks standards? Do you think Michigan schools should be granted an exemption to allow for in-school bakes sales? Take the poll and tell us what you think in the comments.

Bake sales have for years been used to raise money for school activities, class trips and sports programs, he said.

“A lot of school groups depend on these food sales as the primary source of income to fund those special opportunities for students during the school year,” Potvin said in a statement. “By joining the other states that allow more flexibility, Michigan school districts will have greater local control in deciding what fundraising is appropriate,.”

The federal standards require that snack items have 200 or fewer calories and entrées have 35o fewer standards. The standards also set nutritional standards.

The federal standards don’t apply to bake sales held during non-school hours, on weekends and off of school campuses.

Similar legislation was introduced earlier this week by Rep. Pat Somerville, R-New Boston.

» Are you getting the free daily Patch newsletter and news alerts? Find your Patch and click on the link to sign up!

BLOOMFIELD-BLOOMFIELD HILLS | WEST BLOOMFIELD | BIRMINGHAM | FARMINGTON-FARMINGTON HILLS | ROCHESTER-ROCHESTER HILLS | NOVI | NORTHVILLE | ROYAL OAK | FERNDALE | CLAWSON | HUNTINGTON WOODS-BERKLEY | TROY | WHITE LAKE-HIGHLAND | OAKLAND TOWNSHIP-LAKE ORION | PLYMOUTH-CANTON | DEARBORN | WYANDOTTE | GROSSE POINTE | TRENTON-GROSSE ILE | MACOMB TOWNSHIP | CLINTON TOWNSHIP | ST. CLAIR SHORES | SHELBY-UTICA | NEW BALTIMORE-CHESTERFIELD | FENTON | BRIGHTON | HARTLAND | CHELSEA | DEXTER | SALINE