How Federal intrusion and the latest Federal Power Grab obliterates local
control --and becomes a de facto tax increase on parents while simultaneously
limiting minor sports participation by
some poorer students….
At today’s special workshop of the Escambia County School
Board, we were told that beginning next year; booster clubs in our school
district may only sell certain food items at school, certain types of certain
foods that meet certain federally established nutritional guidelines. This was all based upon a law, the Healthy,
Hunger Free Kids
Act of 2010. The
implementing regulations are being revised and updated still, and apparently
this final area is under a USDA regulation entitled
“Smart Snacks”.
But here is the rub:
I get that we take millions yearly in Federal Lunch Program money, and
even though I have significant issues with all of the strings attached to the
school lunch subsidy money—IGET IT, WE TAKE THE MONEY-- AND THEREFORE, THE FEDS
CAN GIVE US SOME GUIDELINES ABOUT HOW WE SERVE/WHAT WE SERVE IN THE
LUNCHROOM. I get that.
But who gave the FEDS the license to tell local schools and local school districts what sorts of fundraiser foods booster clubs, athletic teams, and
parent organizations can sell—outside of the lunchroom --but on our campuses? Who is the Federal Government to tell the
cross-country team, or the tennis team, or any team that they can’t sell Snickers Bars,
M&M’s or Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups after lunch or during and between
classes??!!??
Here is a newsflash—for many low-revenue producing minor
sports like soccer, tennis, cross-country, track, and golf-----fundraisers are
the life-blood of the teams!! Cross
Country, tennis, and other local teams get minimal money from the district;
subsequently candy sales supplement the high costs associated with the teams’
season. And parents write checks to
cover the difference, which can and does still lead to parents writing checks
for hundreds of dollars for their children to participate each season. This already serves to exclude participation in some sports by some poor
students, which is bad enough—but now we’re told we are going to acquiesce and
let the feds tell the parents they can’t do candy sales anymore at school—which
will lead to a bigger share of sports participation falling on parents, and
lower participation by poor students?
The irony: "They" proclaim this intrusion into local control is to combat obesity and create
healthier climates at school. But "they" specifically exempt from this rule the sales of ANYTHING after school on campuses and
off-school property anytime—so at football games, basketball games, and baseball games on school property we will still sell
candy, nachos, French Fries, hot dogs, chili-dogs, and all that other “bad stuff” I love!! They have no control over that, and they know
it. But they do not have the right to
dictate to us what is sold at school outside the lunchroom, either.! They simply don’t have the right, it is none
of their business, and this is wrong!
This is America-how
dare these Federal Politicians attempt to exert their will over us—They don’t
have the right, and I’m going to fight this one all the way!
