School Bake Sales at War with Food Police

Parents in Oakland California and Piedmont were surprised to learn that holding a bake sale to benefit their children's schools was not a no brainer. The big brains of the anti-taste Taliban have set up nutritional roadblocks. The parent's offerings must be vetted with strict observance of guidelines restricting calories, sodium, calories from fat and the percentage of sugar in any cookie, cake or snack. And yes, of course, we have the same guidelines in Los Angeles Unified.

The ironies abound. At a time when our schools are suffering, when our governor is lobbying to cut funding, bureaucrats have set up institutional roadblocks to fundraising. At a time when we know that parental involvement is important to maintaining the quality of the schools and the enthusiasm of the kids, bureaucrats have set up institutional roadblocks. Clearly, if there is one thing our schools know how to do it is how to separate parents from schools and common sense from policy.

Yes, obesity is a problem. I fully support the reviewing of foods served by the schools and sold in their cafeterias and from vending machines. High fat, high sodium glop spiked with sugar is probably not a great idea for either the kids or the teachers who try to instruct them during either a sugar rush or the following crash. But seriously folks, Bake Sales?

If school food is traditionally bad, the irony of policing outside contributions is truly delicious. We have real problems of kids bringing in weapons--knives and guns, not to mention drugs. We spend over $50 million per year on school policing. Now we'll add to the list of dangerous contraband cupcakes, birthday cakes and other goodies--not even meant to be consumed at school, but sold and taken home.

Our LAUSD Board just voted to eliminate 65 math and reading coaches, 19 school nurses and 19 counselors. They are struggling mightily not to cut or furlough teachers. Needless to say there is no move to reduce the numbers of sworn police officers and private security personnel. Don't you think under these circumstances we might come up with policies that encourage parental participation while bringing in much needed funds for our kids?