After I learned that many minor sports booster teams would be adversely affected by a federal regulation that is far too over-reaching, I expressed my disapproval at the school board meeting and then I emailed the Florida Department of Agriculture, the entity that oversees Florida's implementation of federal lunch regulations. Here was my email, top, and the quick response I received from the head of the Florida School Lunch Program, below:
Fundraiser Exemptions For Minor Sports Boosters
From:
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Jeffrey
Bergosh
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To:
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Lisa.Church@freshfromflorida.com;
Jamie.Burch@freshfromflorida.com
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CC:
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Adam.Putnam@freshfromflorida.com
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BC:
|
|
Subject:
|
Fundraiser
Exemptions For Minor Sports Boosters
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Lisa/Jamie-
I'm contacting you to express a concern regarding what I feel to be an egregious overreach by the Federal/State Government into local school control.
Specifically, the latest information I have is that Florida WILL NOT be requesting any exemptions for infrequent fundraisers on our campuses for booster clubs in compliance and as allowed under the Healthy and Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010. I think this is a dangerous oversight and or lack of action on the part ofFlorida
First, if the law is truly about ending obesity among students-why will we still allow some boosters to sell terribly unhealthy foods on school property, e.g. nachos, chili-cheese fries, greasy burgers, candy bars, etc., all of which will be permissible on school property after hours.
Unlike sports like Football and Basketball--minor sports and their boosters (the sports that are for the most part not self-supportive via ticket sales)rely on student sales at various times of the year to help defray costs; some of the most successful of these fundraisers (that I personally have participated in--I have three kids that play minor sports)include selling candy bars.
I think Florida need to invoke it's right to add some commonsense exemptions--as the law permits--to allow sports teams the ability to hold 1-2 (infrequent) fundraisers yearly, including candy sales.
Failure to do this will cause parents to have to pay more out of pocket, and will also serve as a deterrent to participation in minor sports by some students who are economically challenged. Some common sense would go a long way here, an occasional snickers or twix is not going to hurt anybody.
Please contact me at your earliest convenience so we can discuss.
Sincerely,
Jeff Bergosh
Escambia County School Board
District 1 Board Representative
850-469-6147
www.jeffbergoshblog.blogspot.com
jbergosh@escambia.k12.fl.us
I'm contacting you to express a concern regarding what I feel to be an egregious overreach by the Federal/State Government into local school control.
Specifically, the latest information I have is that Florida WILL NOT be requesting any exemptions for infrequent fundraisers on our campuses for booster clubs in compliance and as allowed under the Healthy and Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010. I think this is a dangerous oversight and or lack of action on the part of
First, if the law is truly about ending obesity among students-why will we still allow some boosters to sell terribly unhealthy foods on school property, e.g. nachos, chili-cheese fries, greasy burgers, candy bars, etc., all of which will be permissible on school property after hours.
Unlike sports like Football and Basketball--minor sports and their boosters (the sports that are for the most part not self-supportive via ticket sales)rely on student sales at various times of the year to help defray costs; some of the most successful of these fundraisers (that I personally have participated in--I have three kids that play minor sports)include selling candy bars.
I think Florida need to invoke it's right to add some commonsense exemptions--as the law permits--to allow sports teams the ability to hold 1-2 (infrequent) fundraisers yearly, including candy sales.
Failure to do this will cause parents to have to pay more out of pocket, and will also serve as a deterrent to participation in minor sports by some students who are economically challenged. Some common sense would go a long way here, an occasional snickers or twix is not going to hurt anybody.
Please contact me at your earliest convenience so we can discuss.
Sincerely,
Jeff Bergosh
Escambia County School Board
District 1 Board Representative
850-469-6147
www.jeffbergoshblog.blogspot.com
jbergosh@escambia.k12.fl.us
FW: Fundraiser Exemptions For Minor Sports Boosters
From:
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"Safley,
Robin"
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To:
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CC:
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"Schrowang,
Melanie"
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Date:
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Friday -
March 14, 2014 10:48 AM
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Subject:
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FW:
Fundraiser Exemptions For Minor Sports Boosters
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Attachments:
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Mime.822
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Dear Mr. Bergosh,
Commissioner Putnam asked that I reach out to you regarding your
concern over the new smart snack rule. I am the Director for the Division
of Food Nutrition and Wellness and will be responsible for the implementation
of the new federal smart snack rule. The email that went out yesterday
from staff was misleading in the way that it was written. Our goal is to
find out from Districts what types of
fundraisers they currently have so that we can better understand the climate as we go forward and make recommendations regarding potential exemptions. At this time, we are do not have enough knowledge as to what types of fundraisers are important at the local level to craft an exemption. We truly look forward to working with you to ensure that the new federal rule does not create undue hardship. The rule will not go into effect until July 1, 2014.
fundraisers they currently have so that we can better understand the climate as we go forward and make recommendations regarding potential exemptions. At this time, we are do not have enough knowledge as to what types of fundraisers are important at the local level to craft an exemption. We truly look forward to working with you to ensure that the new federal rule does not create undue hardship. The rule will not go into effect until July 1, 2014.
If possible I would like to set up a time to discuss your thoughts
and get input.
Robin C. Safley
Director
Division of Food, Nutrition and Wellness Florida Department of
Agriculture and Consumer Services
(850) 617-7436
(850) 617-7402 Fax
The Holland
Building
Please note that Florida
Most written communications to or from state employees are public
records obtainable by the public upon request. Emails sent to me at this email
address may be considered public and will only be withheld from disclosure if
deemed confidential pursuant to the laws of the State of Florida
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