New York City Bans Bake Sales In Schools

If you count on blueberry muffins or chocolate brownies to banish the back-to-school blues, you might be disappointed.

The latest regulations from New York City's Education Department have banned most bake sales in schools, as well as cracking down on what can be sold in vending machines and student-run stores.

Although sports teams and other student groups are banned from having bake sales, parent and parent-teacher associations are permitted to have one sale per month, so long as it takes place after lunch.

John Sommers, assistant principal of organization at La Guardia, emphasised that teachers kept an eye on what was sold:

There was never any cotton candy or something like that, and there weren't sales all the time. But they are definitely a way kids count on to get money.

He said that a bake sale could rase $500 in profit, enough for a set of new uniforms, or a group trip. Now that food-based fundraisers are out, the school is looking at other ways to raise money, such as selling t-shirts or key chains. Education department officials suggest walk-a-thons, and other similar methods of raising cash.

So, is this ban good news or bad?

We know that a third of America's kids are overweight or obese, and that number is growing. Parents may well welcome moves to ensure that children aren't stuffing themselves with cookies and cake whilst in school.

But, as The Epi-Log points out:

You've got to wonder if the city should be making a decision that some say should be reserved for parents and kids themselves. And you know that there'll be many school-related groups and charities that'll be taking a hit without the power to attract donations with food.

If you're a parent, kid or teen, what do you think? Is New York City's bake sale ban going to help children stay healthy and eat well? Or, is it going to knock fundraising efforts without any real benefit?