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May 23, 2005
Nanny State Connecticut Bans School Junk Food
It seems my home state of Connecticut is poised to pass a bill banning the sale of junk food in schools:
Last week, lawmakers in the House voted 88-55 after an eight-hour debate to pass a law banning soda and junk food in cafeterias, vending machines and school stores. It also requires 20 minutes of physical activity outside of gym for children in kindergarten through fifth grade.
The bill heads to the Senate this week where leaders expect it to pass.
"By no stretch of the imagination does it solve all the problems, but it's very important that we provide the right models in our schools," said Senate President Pro Tem Donald E. Williams Jr.
You bet it doesn't solve all of your problems. What about kids who bring in junk food provided by Mom and Dad? Will their lunch bags be searched at the door of the cafeteria, their pudding Snack Packs and Twinkies being confiscated? Will Lunchables (those horrid little boxed "lunches" that are full of processed food and packaged in tons of cardboard and plastic) be taken away?
Opponents use the following as part of their argument:
Rep. Lawrence Cafero, R-Norwalk, said the legislation wouldn't affect the obesity crisis when school menus offer selections such as cheeseburgers, pizza, chicken nuggets and nachos.
"How many of you will stand there and say, 'If you have your share of sloppy joes and quesadillas, you're not going to put on a few pounds?'" Cafero said.
Very true.
Listen, I am all for nutritional and physical education. I feel there is a problem that needs to be addressed as far as obesity goes in this country, both in children and in adults. But a ban on these products in schools will do nothing other than to add another area the government feels it needs to stick its nose into. And as Rep. Cafero is quoted above, why the concern about snacks when schools regularly serve crap like nachos and French toast sticks for lunch? (I kid you not on the French toast sticks; it's served at my daughter's elementary school at least twice a month.)
Again, what it comes down to is personal responsibility. It's up to parents to instill healthy eating habits into their offspring. Perhaps school districts could provide nutrition workshops for parents and kids. But trying to strongarm them into better behavior is pretty much a guaranteed failure.
Posted by at May 23, 2005 01:58 PM
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Comments
Exactly. They had the worst food possible (healthwise) in school. Bad food is the easiest to make (drop it in the fryer.
I bet kids would lose weight if they got rid of two simple menu items: French Fries and Soda.
Posted by: Aaron Matthew Arnwine at May 23, 2005 02:52 PM
Right.
And how much has banning smoking in certain places and raising ciggie taxes stopped people from puffing away? People need to be educated...and if they continue to make irresponsible choices, it's their own fault.
Posted by: Pam M. at May 23, 2005 03:51 PM
I'm confused. Do you suggest the state legislature change the school's menu, too? Isn't that more of a nanny state, which you seem to oppose, than less?
Posted by: paul at May 23, 2005 07:33 PM
No, I don't suggest it...but I think it's hypocritical for the legislature to gun for one thing while ignoring another, more critical component. These matters are best left in the hands of the individual school districts.
Posted by: Pam M. at May 23, 2005 07:53 PM
Fat kids have fat parents. Parents need to set the example by instituting family exercise activities, and by serving healthy meals at home. That is where kids learn their eating and excercise habits. Parents use the TV as a babysitter and McDonalds to feed their kids. I have grandchildren, so I know.
My three kids loved green beans and broccoli until they started school. That soon changed because of peer pressure in the lunch room, "Ooh, you're not gonna eat that, are you?"
I DO think schools should do away with the snack machines and soda machines. Water vending machines, even flavored water, would be a better choice. Most schools have marketing deals with the vendors, however, to provide more money to the schools. I don't think the government should get into the fray, except to have dieticians plan the school meals. If you offer a kid a pizza, or a veggie burger, they'll take the pizza every time.
Government stay out. Parents take responsibility.
Posted by: opine6 at May 23, 2005 09:36 PM
I don't see how that's hypocracy, but ok.
Posted by: paul at May 24, 2005 04:22 AM
Opine 6: I share your sentiments. I probably should have said that I approve of schools banning the junk...but on their own accord, without the government passing yet another law. Again, it's all about parents teaching the kids.
Paul, perhaps hypocrisy was too strong a word...
Posted by: Pam M. at May 24, 2005 05:27 AM
Why did I spell that like it's a political system, like anarchy or democracy?
Posted by: paul at May 24, 2005 12:29 PM
Some of that junk food is worse than crack cocaine! And the pushers NEVER offer to pay for our poor children's health problems. What we need is an all-out war on junk food.
http//www.waronjunk.com
Posted by: Sgt. Belcher at October 25, 2005 06:49 PM