Nutritonal Regulations Create School Fundraising Challenge

Obesity is the major health concern all across the United States of America as 65% of the adult American population is found to be overweight. Available statistics indicate that almost 16% of the children in the country are overweight and the numbers are increasing with each passing day. Obesity is also the root cause for other health related issues like hypertension, cardiac problems, cancer, diabetes and orthopedic problems and 25% of children within the age group of five to ten have been found to have high blood pressure, high cholesterol and Type 2 Diabetes. Lack of physical activity further worsens the condition.

The federal government has understood the role of the schools in countering the problem of child obesity and the legislation of Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 was a step in that direction. The rising health costs also do not help much.

Given the present state of affairs, a number of nutritional regulations have been imposed to establish a healthy nutrition environment at the schools. This holds true especially for fundraising events. Implementation of laws like SB 12 has placed a ban on chocolate fundraisers that have an adverse effect on the health of children and young adults. The thrust is now on introducing healthy snack ideas that may prove to be healthy alternatives to the sweets and junk food that kids usually gorge on.

The food items that come under the purview of the nutritional guidelines include snacks, snack carts, desserts, school fundraisers, school vending machines, school stores and ala carte lines. As per the existing health norms, no food item can have 35% of calories from total fat, 35% sugar by weight and 10% calories from saturated fat. The healthy alternatives for children should contain zero trans fat.

In such a scenario, it is a challenge for fundraiser organizers, especially members of the PTA, who are into conceptualizing and working on an elementary school fundraising event. They have to keep in mind that children are far less likely to eat bland low calorie food, let alone enjoy it. Instead they should think of healthy fundraising solutions that do not compromise on the taste, are low on calories thereby complying with the nutritional guidelines and wellness policies.

Fundraising in a healthy manner will help you to raise a substantial amount of money from the event. There is nothing much you need to do except for ensuring the fact that the snacks at the fundraiser are healthy so that the kids can have a good time and their parents do not have to bother about what their child is eating. The kids will not mind donating from their pocket money and that too quite generously if what they get in return is worth it. Parents on their parts will not think twice before sending their child for a healthy fundraising event.

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