NYC Schools Say Bye, Bye, Bake Sales

From the Community…

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  Posted by Katie B Mon Oct 5, 2009 1:52pm PDT

  I never understood why there HAS to be vending machines in school halls in the first place? It seems to me that generations of students did fine without them... :/

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  Posted by Susan Mon Oct 5, 2009 3:54pm PDT

  Many schools have already banned bake sales for health and safety reasons, because they don't know the origin of the food. It could have been made in a filthy germ-ridden kitchen with mice droppings and roaches everwhere or it could even have something harmful added to it by some crazy revenge-driven parent. Basically since an individual's personal kitchen is not subject to health department rules to make sure the food is cooked and stored correctly, they aren't comfortable with the liability of serving the items to their students and families at a school-sponsored event. Cafeterias and restaurants are regulated by health department rules to help keep the food safe, and staff are trained in the safe handling of food. Someone at home might not think to wash their hands as much after handling different foods or sneezing, etc. It's kind of sad to ban a fun tradition, but then again I understand where they are coming from too. I'm not sure what I think of NYC's rule banning them to reduce sugar and fat consumption. I'm on the fence. I kind of think it should be up to the individual and family, but then again look where that got us: huge childhood (and adult) obesity rates! So yeah I think it's a good idea to ban them. If parents want their kids to eat sweets and pies, then they can make them on their own time at home for their own family and friends, instead of having them distributed through a school-sponsored event.

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  Posted by Mel B Tue Oct 6, 2009 7:03am PDT

  I personally think that childhood obesity has more to do with stress and laziness than bake sales. Treats are just that - TREATS! There is nothing wrong with children consuming sugar every now and then. It's better than jamming that artificial sweetner crap down their throats. Let's get real.

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  Posted by Kelly Tue Oct 6, 2009 12:34pm PDT

  I'm so tired of having my choices taken away because some parents don't do their jobs as parents. This is rediculous. It's a freakin' bake sale! Big deal. People have been having them for decades and I enjoy getting the occasional treat while also supporting a cause. Parents need to take the chips and cookies and xbox contollers out of their kid's hands and make them go outside and play! It seems it is now everyone's problem because some parents don't take control of their kids. My 14 year old is absolutely not allowed and never has been to just sit on his butt and eat and play games all day. We had vending machines and pop machines in my school when i was a teen and there were very few overweight kids because we didn't have video games and electronics to play with. We played outside.

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  Posted by M.J Tue Oct 6, 2009 6:33pm PDT

  and yet te state fairs are selling fried butter... kudos....

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  Posted by H Tue Oct 6, 2009 7:30pm PDT

  Give me a break. I grew up on bake sales. Now I dont see any reason the schools need to provide junk food though.

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  Posted by Aja R Tue Oct 6, 2009 11:15pm PDT

  I think this is so retarded! People need to teach their kids healthy habits,bake sales are a traditional thing and sad that they are taking them away. Damn people make ur kids go out for a walk instead of letting them play xbox, don't blame it on a freaken bake sale

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  Posted by cindy Wed Oct 7, 2009 1:01am PDT

  Hmmm...no bake sales....what is next? Is the state going to shut down convenience stores or fine stores that sell snacks to minors?

  I teach school and am finding that more and more students do not know how to make any decision (good or bad). They just sit around waiting for someone to tell them what to do. If they are never given the opportunity to make decisions and learn from their mistakes, how do people expect them to cope when they get older?

  How about the benefits of bake sales? Being part of a community? Learning how to cook? Volunteerism? Thinking of someone other than yourself? Of course spending time with your mom or dad and baking cannot possibly be good for the children either.

  I mean, whoa! Licking that beater/spoon is a step closer to obesity....

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