"Ice Cream Ban" About Money, Not Nutrition?
On Oct. 1, Superintendent of Schools LeRoy Seitz issued an order that Parent-Teacher Associations can no longer sell ice cream in schools during lunchtime.
It is no secret that ice cream sales in the district have been going on for a long time . These sales are sponsored by local PTAs & help generate revenue that supports programs aimed at enhancing the education of our children.
Like many parents, I assumed the ban was an instance of the government again trying to decide what is best for our children. I looked into the matter & was disgusted with what was revealed: The so-called ice cream ban has absolutely nothing to do with ice cream----or with nutrition in schools.
Certain ice cream choices are in fact allowed to be sold in schools during lunchtime hours. The government requires that these products have less than eight grams of total fat per serving, have no more than two grams of saturated fat per serving & does not have sugar listed as the first ingredient. I was able to present to Dr. Seitz solid evidence supporting the fact that the even the New Jersey Department of Agriculture Division of Nutrition acknowledged in writing that it can be served if it meets the required stan-dards.
Dr. Seitz reinforced this, saying, "Ice cream that meets the state nutritional requirements (there are many that do) are permitted to be sold in the cafeteria during our lunch program. Unfortunately, the ice cream cannot be sold by the PTAs."
That statement made me realize that this matter had nothing to do with nutrition, but with economic prosperity.
The specific regulation in question responsible for this ban is from the New Jersey Administrative Code.
It is no secret that ice cream sales in the district have been going on for a long time . These sales are sponsored by local PTAs & help generate revenue that supports programs aimed at enhancing the education of our children.
Like many parents, I assumed the ban was an instance of the government again trying to decide what is best for our children. I looked into the matter & was disgusted with what was revealed: The so-called ice cream ban has absolutely nothing to do with ice cream----or with nutrition in schools.
Certain ice cream choices are in fact allowed to be sold in schools during lunchtime hours. The government requires that these products have less than eight grams of total fat per serving, have no more than two grams of saturated fat per serving & does not have sugar listed as the first ingredient. I was able to present to Dr. Seitz solid evidence supporting the fact that the even the New Jersey Department of Agriculture Division of Nutrition acknowledged in writing that it can be served if it meets the required stan-dards.
Dr. Seitz reinforced this, saying, "Ice cream that meets the state nutritional requirements (there are many that do) are permitted to be sold in the cafeteria during our lunch program. Unfortunately, the ice cream cannot be sold by the PTAs."
That statement made me realize that this matter had nothing to do with nutrition, but with economic prosperity.
The specific regulation in question responsible for this ban is from the New Jersey Administrative Code.
