Federal Nutrition Standards Raise Havoc In School Fundraising World

A federal anti-obesity law that takes effect this fall will put a crimp in school fundraising efforts like bake sales and candy sales. The sales must adhere to nutrition requirements meant to lower calorie, fat, sugar and salt consumption by schoolchildren. The rules govern food and beverages sold during the school day in vending machines, snack carts and daytime fundraisers. "Infrequent" fundraisers are okay, and states can decide themselves how many questionable bake sales would be allowed. School administrators, parents and others worry that the well-meaning federal standards will not only hurt fundraising, they will push schools to sell more processed-food products to raise money.