Published: November 02, 2008 01:50 am      

New state policy limits options for school snacks

FAIRMONT — The school holiday party is changing.

Most adults look back on their school days and fondly remember holiday parties. You know, those events where your mom baked dozens of cupcakes and another mom made dozens of cookies and you and your classmates gorged on candy, arriving home on a sugar high to drive your parents insane.

While the classroom parties remain the same, the food choices are dramatically different these days.

Terri Atha, supervisor of child nutrition for Marion County Schools, said a new statewide policy went into effect July 1. That policy has had a profound effect on what can be served as snacks in the schools.

Atha said the new policy states snacks must be:

• No more than 200 calories per product.

• No more than 35 percent of the calories can come from fat.

• No more than 10 percent of the calories can come from saturated fat.

• No more than .5 grams of trans fat.

• No more than 35 percent of the calories can be from sugar.

• No more than 200 milligrams of sodium per package.

Also, no more homemade treats — everything must be prepackaged from a store. That provision helps prevent allergic reactions and enhance food safety, Atha said.

“We’re promoting more fresh fruit and vegetables,” she said.

Since this is the first year for the policy, it’s all about implementation and educating parents and teachers, Atha said. Next year, all schools must be completely in compliance, she said.

At the start of the school year, parents received a list of approved treats. That list has since been revised because some of the treats, such as some name-brand snack cakes, didn’t meet the requirements. A revised list was sent out to parents on Oct. 8, Atha said.

Beyond the problem with the lists, Atha said there have been no real problems with implementing the new snack guidelines.

The new policy hopes to promote healthier eating among children and their parents, she said.

“If they learn about it at school, they carry it home to their parents,” Atha said. “We have concerns about childhood obesity and there are children with high blood pressure and cholesterol, even at young ages.”

E-mail Katie Wilson at kwilson@timeswv.com.