By Jamie Musick
11/19/07
November 18, 2007 09:52 pm
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Some goodies have been longtime favorites for school kids. But many parents will soon be reconsidering the numbers of iced cupcakes and fudge brownies they’re bringing to school, and perhaps choosing pre-sliced apples and broccoli florets instead for their children’s classroom parties. And elementary and high school administrators will be closely monitoring how many chicken patties and fried foods students are purchasing throughout the week.
These are just a couple of the areas that school districts will be keeping a close eye on if they opt into a state program known as Nutritional Standards for Competitive Foods in Pennsylvania Schools.
While nutritional guidelines are seen by many as important material, as obesity numbers continue to climb in all age groups, the Nutritional Standards program has sparked interesting debates locally. One school district has approved the plan, another has unanimously rejected it, and the third remains undecided.
Recently accepted by Crawford Central School District, the nutrition guidelines carry over from cafeteria meals to parties, including classroom and holiday gatherings that have been traditional favorites. However, the nutritional standards do not affect what students bring to school in their brown bag lunches. Crawford Central approved the two-year plan in a 6-1 vote (with board Vice President Jan VanTuil opting against it) for all schools beginning with the 2008-09 school year.
VanTuil gave it a thumbs-down as being “too intrusive” into students’ lives. She added that the district’s wellness committee had also devoted much time in improving its wellness policy to encourage healthy eating in a “realistic manner.”
While there are no restrictions on the number of cookies and cupcakes and other similar items allowed for a classroom party, the party must not include more than two to three food items that contain sugar as the first entry on the list of ingredients. Ironically, cookies and cupcakes would likely pass muster under this program, because sugar is likely the second ingredient on many items’ list. In addition, fruits and vegetables and either water, 100 percent juice or milk must be offered at the party.
Another nutrition standard insists on not rewarding students with food — healthy or not. Teachers may have a pizza party, for example, but the party must be considered as the reward and the pizza is merely a part of the party.
“It (the program) does promote nutrition,” said Dan Bazylak, regional vice president of Nutrition Inc., which provides cafeteria service for 110 districts in the state including Crawford Central, Conneaut and PENNCREST. “I think that’s the ultimate goal. Unfortunately, over the years, food has been used not only as a reward, but also as a punishment (by withholding some items). I’m a believer in moderation. I think it’s a combined effort of moderation and exercise to accomplish what these policies are designed to do.”
Crawford Central board member Stuart Rothman agrees that the program will be beneficial.
“I think it’ll give us (the district) the opportunity to offer more choices for better nutrition and help parents who want to have their kids exposed to more nutritious choices,” said Rothman. “There seems to be a misunderstanding out there to not allow parents to bring treats to parties. I hope that people realize that the school isn’t trying to dictate what the kids are fed.”
Unlike Crawford Central, Conneaut School Board opted out of the two-year program for all of its schools, while PENNCREST School Board is still weighing its options.
Conneaut school board member Carol Bocan, who serves on the district’s wellness committee, believes that a guideline that limits the duplication of items is “too restrictive.”
During the program’s second year, for example, at the elementary level, students cannot duplicate a food item, except for fruits and vegetables. For instance, an elementary student could purchase a piece of pizza, but could not purchase a second slice of pizza. At the secondary level, students can purchase only one additional item of the same food with the exception of fruits and vegetables.
“We were looking at the needs of the kids,” Bocan said. “Money (received to help implement this program) is one thing, but the health of a student is more important. There are so many variables to us. We’re looking at the entire wellness portion. This is really limiting what a student can choose.”
Pennsylvania’s 501 school districts have been given the option of participating in the plan, which offers approximately $10,000 in additional state reimbursement for breakfasts and lunches in return for adopting and implementing Pennsylvania Department of Education’s nutritional guidelines for food and beverages available on school campuses. All standards must be implemented exactly as written for at least two years to qualify for state reimbursement.
For local nutritional consultant Rosanne Rust, who does not work for the school district, the program is about finding a balance in nutrition. “The whole policy boils down to portion and control,” said Rust. “I think it’ll help educate parents and teachers what moderation is all about. It’s not about totally restricting children of treats, but providing a balance for children at home and school.”
While some standards may be questioned, Bazylak and Rust both view the program as promoting a positive message to fight obesity.
Some standards in year one of the program include offering a minimum of one fruit and vegetable daily and not offering pre-fried or flash fried foods more than four times per week. In year two of the program, a minimum of three fruits and vegetables must be offered daily (with at least one of each being fresh/raw) and pre-fried or flash fried foods must not be offered more than three times per week.
“Part of the problem is that society is too super-sized,” Bazylak added. “We almost need to get instructions back to the level where people know what the proper portion sizes are.”
LEARN MORE
For more information on Nutritional Standards for Competitive Foods in Pennsylvania Schools, visit www.pde.state.pa.us/food_nutrition. For more information about products of minimal nutritional value, visit www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/menu/fmnv.htm. For a list of products exempt from being considered minimal nutritional value, visit www.pears.ed.state.pa.us/forms/files/PDE064.pdf.
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