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POLL: Should School Bake Sales Be Banned?

Make your opinion known by taking our poll.

 

Editor's note: This article was updated on Wednesday at 4:35 p.m.

Starting in August, Massachusetts' departments of public health and education planned to forbid schools from allowing parents, students and organizations from selling high-calorie food like baked goods and pizza to raise money, according to The Boston Herald.

The rule is supposed to curtail rising obesity among students, according to the report, which says that the new rules prohibit sales or serving of those foods during the school day, but that state officials are pushing to expand the ban to include other school and community events at nights and on weekends.

However, some parents interviewed said that it would limit fundraising for athletics and other programs.

On Wednesday afternoon, the Herald reported that state House of Representatives overturned the ban by passing an amendment that leaves it up to local school committees whether to adopt the Department of Public Health rules.

With this news in mind, give your opinion on this issue by taking our poll. We welcome your thoughts in the comments section below, too. 

Look for a roundup of the results next Tuesday at 3 p.m. 

  • Should the schools prohibit bake sales at school events?

    (Voting has been closed for this question)
    • Yes, at all events, including those not during the school day.
        9 (15%)
    • Only during the school day, to ensure kids eat healthy while on the school's watch. Outside of that, leave it up to the parents.
        4 (6%)
    • No, PTOs and organizations rely on the funds raised through bake sales.
        45 (77%)
    Total votes: 58
  • Your vote will only count once. This is not a scientific poll. View Results Vote!
Related Topics: Bake Sale, Childhood Obesity, Department of Education, Department of Health, Fundraising, and School Rules

Charlotte Osgood

6:45 am on Wednesday, May 9, 2012

This is the most obsurd thing I have ever heard...well so far today. Bake sales have been done for years in the schools. First off, our school doesn't sell to the children but to the voters on voting day. And they look forward to it they tell us. What will the stop next, music and dancing? Crazy

Reply

Betsey Benagh

9:21 am on Wednesday, May 9, 2012

While I applaud the effort to teach healthy habits, I disagree that completely banning all treats is the way to go. I'd rather teach kids that an occasional treat is absolutely fine, in an appropriate serving size.

Reply

Heidi Dietrich

12:27 pm on Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Honestly, has government gone so far as to micro manage EVERYTHING? Really. Give it a rest. I have treats on occasion. Small amounts are fine. People today can't enjoy anything without practically getting permission to have a stinking donut.

Reply

Betsey Benagh

1:44 pm on Wednesday, May 9, 2012

I'm far more concerned by the fact that the schools serve pizza for lunch every week, with no fruit or vegetables on the side. That's a much stronger negative message than an occasional bake sale.

Reply

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