Healthy Fundraising May Not Mean Healthy Profits

An article from "The York Daily Record" (York, PA) that calls attention to health guidelines affecting local fundraising efforts:

Fundraising foods on the table: Candy, pizza vs. fruit baskets
Some district officials know how to handle new guidelines and others don't

By MICHELLE STARR
Daily Record/Sunday News

Jul 16, 2006 — Some district officials and parents are concerned that new wellness guidelines might hurt fundraising efforts.

School districts had to adopt wellness policies by July 1 if they participate in the National School Lunch or Breakfast Program.

The wellness policies should promote physical activity, healthy foods and making smart choices. The state Department of Education made a list of guidelines to help districts as they try to decide what food and drinks can be sold at lunch, in vending machines, at school stores and fundraising activities.

The department also suggests that food should not be used as a reward in school or that parents not bring in goodies to celebrate special events.

Brian McDonald, department spokesman, said many district officials appear confused because the guidelines aren't mandates. They are suggestions.

"We say, 'Here are some good things we think you should do,' " McDonald said. "We would hope that they would follow the guidelines in a relatively close manner.

But it's their decision. "It doesn't get to a specific level that outright bans one thing over another," McDonald said.

The guidelines have caused some concern among a few parents and administrators especially because selling food such as candy, cookies or pizzas is used to raise funds. In some districts, the parent groups or activity coordinators aren't sure yet how the policies will affect them or haven't determined a plan.

Lisa Warren, president of the Dover Area High School Parent Teacher Organization and past vice president of the same group at Weigelstown Elementary School, said fundraising is how the group pays for playground equipment, programs, festivals and other events.

They could raise $6,000 in pizza sales alone. They might have to try selling healthier food, such as fruit baskets, or items such as wrapping paper or candles. But she isn't certain those items will make as much money.

Warren is waiting for some direction from the school board.

Joe Chiodi, assistant director of athletics at William Penn Senior High School, said he hasn't received any guidelines about fundraising but isn't too concerned.

Though candy is probably the biggest seller for the athletic teams and groups, he believed any cut in sales of candy or other food could be recouped by merchandise sales. The groups sell T-shirts, bleacher seats, hats and other items. Some groups have had success selling candles. A fall barbecue fundraiser also draws funds, he said.

Barb Krier, York City School Board member, said the guidelines might cause a problem with fundraising. For example, she said, teachers at Hannah Penn Middle School sell candy bars to raise money for their various activities.

At Dallastown Area School district, no decision has been made about fundraising yet, said Sue Ayres, district food service director. They haven't discussed the issue, she said.

Eric Wolfgang, president of the Central York School Board, said guidelines for foods sold for fundraising by booster clubs, performing arts groups, PTOs and other organizations need to be the same rules as those offered in the cafeteria and vending machines - if they are to be sold during the day.

After school, students should be able to sell whatever items they want, he said.

Wolfgang said he believes schools appear to be doing a good job of offering healthy options to students, but the students are only in school six hours a day.

"This is another societal issue that is being legislated into the school system that should be handled at home," he said.

Food and fundraising guidelines

· Items will be packaged in single-serve portions.

· Foods considered of minimal nutritional value by the U.S. Department of Agriculture won't be available at school.

· Foods won't be fried.

· Foods won't contain sugar as the first ingredient.

· Foods will provide minimal to no trans-fatty acids.

Source: Pennsylvania Department of Education